Tempe, AZ – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association “ITA” is pleased to announce today the ten student-athletes who have been selected to represent the over 20,000 student-athletes competing in tennis at the collegiate level by serving on the ITA Student-Athlete Council.
Now entering the council’s second year, the ITA Student-Athlete Council is a committee of student-athletes who play college tennis assembled to provide insights regarding the sport with a special emphasis on the student-athlete experience.
The goals of this committee are as follows: Present a student-athlete voice within the Intercollegiate Tennis Association “ITA” (1), Offer input regarding matters pertaining to the sport, particularly issues impacting the lives of student-athletes (2), Work to enhance the student-athlete experience specific to college tennis across all divisions (3), Invest in the leaders of tomorrow by creating leadership and professional development opportunities (4).
“We are thrilled to announce our ITA Student-Athlete Council for the 2024-25 academic year,” stated ITA Community Manager, Elicia Smith. “Coming off the heels of a successful inaugural year, we are very excited to see what they will accomplish. We look forward to collaborating with these student-athletes throughout the upcoming year to identify more ways in which we can continue to invest in and enhance the collective student-athlete experience in college tennis.”
Building on the initiatives and progress made by the first class of Student-Athlete Council members, some of the advancements made through the work and support of the council include the partnership with ZAMA Health, a virtual mental health platform for student-athletes, the development of the ITA Student-Athlete Podcast, and the launch of the ITA Student-Athlete Mentorship Program.
In total, ten student-athletes will serve on the ITA Student-Athlete Council, and represent college tennis players from across all levels of our sport. Of these ten student-athletes, three (3) will be making a return to the council after serving in 2023-24, with Marielle Sauber (Smith), Jenna Mahoney (Bethel), and Gabe Puthoff (Auburn – Wheelchair) all returning. Across the ten council members, three are Division I student-athletes, two are Division II and Division III student-athletes, while the remaining three come from the NAIA, JUCO, and wheelchair sectors of our sport.
Each of these members will spend the next year working to better the student-athlete experience at every level of our sport and will meet each month to discuss pressing issues and initiatives that are of the utmost importance to each council member.
Read below for more information on each council member:
Division I Representatives
Andrew Fang | Binghamton University | Junior“I am humbled for this opportunity and I look forward to using my skills and strengths through my time on the council to help all collegiate tennis players experience all the joys, both the highs and the lows, the fun, and the best of what college tennis has to offer. In addition, I am excited to keep advancing the sport of tennis as it teaches valuable life lessons beyond just the court.”
Bella Tan | Bryant University | Junior“I am eager to serve alongside a diverse group of talented student-athletes who are driven to set the standard for the future of collegiate tennis.”
Connie Ma | Stanford | Senior“I am looking forward to serving on the ITA Student Council to help foster an environment that welcomes and enhances the college tennis experience for all student-athletes.”
Division II Representatives
Kitsa Scime | Daemen University | Senior“As I serve on the ITA Student-Athlete Council, I look forward to channeling my strong passion for tennis to support my peers and help raise the profile of college tennis, alongside my fellow council members.”
Cade Nadeau | Southern New Hampshire University | Senior“I am excited to serve on the ITA Student-Athlete Council to advocate for the interests of my fellow tennis players across all divisions and contribute to the continuous improvement of our collegiate tennis experience.”
Division III Representatives
Marissa Markey | Pitzer College | Senior“As a member of the ITA Student-Athlete Council, I am excited to make a difference in the experience of college athletes, particularly in areas such as mental health resources, community outreach, and career development. I am also looking forward to learning from and collaborating with athletes from other divisions.”
Marielle Sauber | Smith College | Junior“I am very excited and humbled to represent my fellow college tennis players on the ITA Student-Athlete Council for the second year. As a member of the ITA Student-Athlete Council, I am excited to continue advocating for diversity, inclusion, and representation within the ITA and college tennis. I look forward to using my passion for tennis to advance the sport and make a difference in the lives of student-athletes.”
NAIA Representative
Jenna Mahoney | Bethel College | Senior“I am so excited and grateful to be able to be a representative on the council for a second year! I’m excited to see what this year’s council brings and what goals we can accomplish and so excited to get started!”
JUCO Representative
Daniel Borisov | Tyler Junior College | Sophomore“I am eager to serve on the ITA Student-Athlete Council to advocate for the needs and interests of fellow student-athletes, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that enhances both athletic and academic experiences. My goal is to contribute innovative ideas and ensure our voices are heard in decisions that impact our community.”
Wheelchair Representative
Gabe Puthoff | Auburn University | Graduate Student“I look forward to contributing more to what the committee already has achieved. I also am looking forward to growing wheelchair tennis involvement within the ITA.”
