IMO, recruiting foreign players should not be allowed at an American university. I am not saying these kids do not have the right to get an education. However, it does not seem fair that in sports such as tennis and track that foreign kids get spots over the Americans. Yes, I know A&M has foreign players and I don't like that either. However, Cass does a great job with tennis getting the top Americans. Also, my neighbor in Houston was the state highjump champion a few years back and went on the jump at UH. He says it is rediculous because the track athletes basically come over here and train for four years, in the U.S., and then go back and represent their countries in the Olympics. So basically we are paying for them to beat us at the Olympics. Doesn't make sense to me.

I have no problem with foreign players at all. 2 of my kids played college tennis and it was a lot of fun meeting players from other countires and cultures. My son has travelled all over Europe and South Africa and stayed with former teammates and opponents. The foreign players learn a lot about us and we can learn a lot from them. We've had many stay with us and they have all been great kids. I don't think many foreign college tennis players ever compete in the Oympics.They get their degrees and go back home usually with a positive view of the US. Take some time to meet some; you may change your views.

I played NJCAA, NAIA, and walked on at A&M until I was put on probation by the engineering department.

At each level, as far back as the mid 80s, foreigners have been the majority. Most schools will establish a "pipeline" and then bring in almost anyone with a green card. At the JC level they don't have to meet the language minimum (Pernfors) and then transfer to a univeristy when this is met. I was 18 with my opponents being 24 from Venezuela, Surinam, Sweden, etc. My first two years I had 2 American teammates!

I too prefer to see Americans playing but tennis is becoming a truely international sport and if A&M wants to play at a national level they will have to recruit globally.

I don't think that A&M necessarily has to recruit foreign players to compete at a national level. A&M has already established itself as a top 15 program the last three years with predominately players who grew up in the United States. I think they already are competing at the national level.

I think A&M is going to be very tough next year. With Newport, Cook, Matijevic, El Dorry, Bauer, Hunter, and the four highly regarded recruits, I think they are going to be deep and very competitive 1-6. It will be interesting to see who plays doubles next year. I like our 1 and 2 doubles: Newport/Cook and Matijevic/Bauer. I do not know enough about the recruits coming in except that they are all ranked in the juniors (a few highly ranked). Does anyone know anything about them?

Can you imagine how good this team would have been if Tres Davis stayed and Nathan Price (who played #2 at Arkansas and was ranked throughout the year) played for A&M this year?

I do not know enough about the the recruiting process in college tennis so I have no idea how a school gets a foreign player to play for their team. Does any one know?

[This message has been edited by nosebleed_seats (edited 5/22/2002).]

USC just won the NCAA with I believe only one foreign player and the rest are from Calif. It can be done.

Actually USC has three foriegn players. In addition, Armitrage spend considerable time playing overseas.

I don't mind having foreign players coming to play in the NCAA, but I do think there should be a maximum number of foreign players on your team. This would ensure that a good number of American players will be able to compete and get a free education for all their hard work. I think this rule should be implemented through our every NCAA sport.

agclass99

Is this really an issue?

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it is rediculous because the track athletes basically come over here and train for four years, in the U.S., and then go back
and represent their countries in the Olympics.

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If that is really a problem that we should not provide any scholarships or financial aid to American students who plan to work overseas for foreign companies. Maybe even withhold athletic scholarships from athletes who plan to play professional sports for team that will beat up on any Texas team.

Texas A&M is an institution of higher learning first and foremost. Say what you want about diversity, but international students do add something the university, and their Ags through and through.

[This message has been edited by AustinAg95 (edited 5/24/2002).]

[This message has been edited by AustinAg95 (edited 5/24/2002).]

[This message has been edited by AustinAg95 (edited 5/24/2002).]

take a look at the A&M roster on the lat 10 years and you will find that 3 of the best players in A&M tennis history were foreign: Bernardo Martinez, (Mexican), Rafael de Mesa (Spain, and of course Shaun Madden (Venezuela), foreign players put A&M where it is...