Earlier this month, the UTR Sports College Showcase brought together 45 junior players and 22 coaches for three days of action in Rome, Georgia. The Showcase, held at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College from October 31 to November 2, 2025, was a tremendous opportunity for juniors to gain exposure in college and improve their UTR rating, while coaches were able to recruit future players up close.
“I wanted to get my name out there. Just play well and have fun,” said Rahul Anand, a 17-year-old from Dunwoody, Georgia. “My biggest takeaway was definitely talking to the coaches to see what they are looking for in the recruiting process.”
Coaches came from programs across all divisions, including Bruno Tiberti, assistant men’s coach at the University of Georgia, who hosted College Prep Day on the opening day of the Showcase, complete with a coaching session and conversation with players and parents.
“This UTR showcase is probably the best organized, most professional event I have been to yet – the staff is elite,” said Brett Karpman, assistant coach at Methodist University. “The players here came with the right attitude and the right preparation.”
UTR Sports hosted the NAIA and NJCAA Individual National Championships at the same time and location, giving juniors in the Showcase a glimpse into their possible futures.
“It’s really amazing to see all the college players play, how they play, how the teams interact,” said Alexis Gard, a senior from Seattle. “It’s really great to see that this is something I’ll be a part of when I graduate.”
The Showcase attracted players from across the country, as far away as Hawaii, and high school coaches.
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“We have several kids who want to play tennis in college,” said Derek Lashley, high school coach at First Presbyterian Day School. “In today’s environment where we’re recruiting kids globally, this is a great opportunity for my kids to come locally and see a lot of college coaches coming to watch them play, but also to learn how to get better in a real quality league.”
Players took part in four Verified UTR matches over the weekend and coaches took part in educational seminars and question and answer sessions, giving participants the opportunity to learn and express interest.
“Players can maximize these Showcase events by asking questions of all coaches and networking with all coaches,” said George Rodriguez, head coach of Calvin University. “When they play their matches, they can show their commitment, how they play and their personality [this event] to find the right school for them as they progress through the recruitment process”
The 2026 UTR Sports College Showcase is already set for next year and will take place from October 30 to November 1 in Rome, Georgia. In the meantime, players can take advantage of upcoming Showcases hosted by UTR’s partners in December in Florida, Tennessee and around the world. View the full schedule here.
“I see the environment that UTR is trying to create,” said Samford Head Men’s Coach Oliver Reynolds. “They understand the college system well. They want to put you in those environments where you get a good representation of what it could look like to play in college.”
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