Starting in Fall 2016, students at the University of Central Florida will be able to study Professional Tennis Management (PTM) thanks to a new educational partnership between the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management. The first of its kind in Florida, this specialization will be housed under the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree program and include instruction at both Rosen College and the USTA National Campus in Orlando, the New Home of American Tennis. Students will benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities, internship opportunities and world-class hospitality management training.
“It is essential to provide professional development opportunities for students pursuing a career in the tennis industry,” said Scott Schultz, USTA managing director. “We are proud to partner with UCF to ensure the development of the next generation of tennis industry leaders in the sport.”
Rosen College students who select the track will receive a strong academic foundation in hospitality management education and complete three paid internships in the tennis industry. USTA will provide specialized training in the sport synchronized with their internship experiences. Graduates will be well equipped for fulfilling careers as tennis teaching professionals, club managers, directors of tennis or other business roles associated with the industry.
Dr. Jill Fjelstul has been named director of hospitality in sports and will oversee the PTM track. She previously developed Rosen College’s golf and club management curriculum and designed the first online education courses for the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals Division. She is also a former professional golfer and coach.
“Rosen College’s reputation for top-notch hospitality management education combined with USTA’s leadership in the sport will produce outstanding graduates ready to lead the tennis industry into the future,” said Fjelstul. “Our students will gain all the skills necessary for success and will benefit from access to the country’s leading tennis organization right in our backyard.”
The USTA’s new complex in Lake Nona is located on 63 acres and will feature more than 100 tennis courts, a tennis pro shop, fitness area, locker rooms, player lounge, cafeteria and offices. The target completion date is the fourth quarter of 2016. The site will house a collegiate tennis center capable of hosting a number of college events and will serve as the home for the University of Central Florida’s men’s and women’s varsity teams.
For more information about Rosen College’s Professional Tennis Management Track, visit hospitality.ucf.edu/tennis or contact Fjelstul at 407-903-8096 or Jill.Fjelstul@ucf.edu.