By Ryan Borucki

Sure, I'm biased. I graduated in May from Ferris State University's Professional Tennis Management program. After four years of studying on the court and in the classroom, I earned a bachelor of science degree in business, along with a USPTA-1 certification as as a teaching pro. So have hundreds of other men and women since the program was founded in 1986 by Scott Schultz, who now works as the USTA's managing director of recreational tennis.

This undergraduate major--often unrecognized and misunderstood--prepares tennis players for the business aspect of the industry as well as teaching on the court. It is currently offered at Ferris State's campus in Big Rapids, Mich., and it is the only such four-year degree accredited by the USPTA.

Graduates earn a bachelor’s degree with a major in marketing and a specialization in Professional Tennis Management. Students take classes in a variety of subjects including including business, advertising, marketing and retailing. A concentration in resort management is offered for those who are interested in the travel, recreation and leisure industries.

These off-court classes over four years help set PTM apart from its competition--two-year programs at other universities--but it is the on-court, hands-on experience that, I believe, really puts the program a step above the rest.

INTERNSHIPS
Students are required to complete three summer internships that develop proficiency in pro shop operations, on-court teaching and club management. Of course, most majors require internships these days, but how many have top-notch facilities and recognized professionals throughout the country requesting students each year? PTM does.

Students have had the opportunity to teach at facilities such as the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Midtown Clubs (multiple locations throughout the midwest), Baseline Tennis clubs (13 locations in Michigan), Saddlebrook Resort and many others. This is just one of the many things PTM can offer high school students who would like to work in the sport they love.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Each semester classes and workshops covering tennis management and teaching are taught by the program director, tennis team coach and alumni, students are able to gain a plethora of knowledge from industry insiders. Workshops in stringing, clay court construction and maintenance, QuickStart Tennis format for kids, Dartfish video analysis and other key practical skills are offered.

THE NEW & THE OLD
The education doesn’t stop with classes--every school year ends with a banquet. Current and former students meet for a weekend to share and demonstrate tennis knowledge and experiences they have gained. Not only does the banquet offer further education, but it creates a network for the "new" and the "experienced" tennis workforce. Photo at right shows Peter Burwash of PBI Tennis, which manages tennis operations at more than 60 worldwide resorts and vacation sites, speaking to students.

In fact, new graduates often are offered positions by the alumni or professionals that are somehow connected to the program. We aren’t talking about 50 percent or 60 percent or even 75 percent job security. Upon graduation, 99.9% of PTM students can find a job through this network.
    
Impressed yet? Still looking for more reasons PTM is a level above the rest?

The answer can be found on one of the 15 hard courts, four of them indoor, at Ferris State's tennis center. Every day students are playing tennis. Among the 50+ group currently working towards their bachelor of science degrees, there is always a fellow PTM’er looking to hit. From challenge ladders to doubles nights and the monthly mixer events, there are many opportunities to improve your game over four years.

Most students use every minute they have to do so because at the end of four years students are given a chance to prove what they’ve learned: Each student must pass  the USPTA Certification with a Professional Level 2 or higher to graduate. It's another career advantage that many graduates have over others in the industry. Having earned a business degree is great preparation for any career in tennis and even one outside the sport.

High school tennis players: Grab your racquets, your bags and hitchhike your way up to Big Rapids, Mich. Take a look around. It's where you can take the first and best step to improve your tennis game and education. Be prepared for the experience of lifetime and connections that last a lifetime.