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TEMPE, Ariz. — Members of the 2025-26 ITA Student-Athlete Council will be featured in monthly spotlights over the course of the college tennis season, offering the greater college tennis community an inside look at the impact our council members are making on and off the court.
In the third spotlight of the season, Coastal Alabama’s Samantha Parris highlights her efforts to enhance representation in women’s sports, while serving as an advocate for student-athletes at the junior college level.
“It means a lot to step into a role where I actually have the power to share my perspective and advocate for players at every level, including my own. I wanted to represent the experiences that don’t always get highlighted and make sure our voices are heard.”
Read more about Samantha in this spotlight below:
Please tell us a little bit about yourself, what college/university you attend, what year you are, what your major is, and what you plan to pursue upon graduation.My name is Samantha Parris and I am a sophomore at Coastal Alabama Community College. Outside of tennis, I am pursuing a degree in Computer Science with the hopes of pursuing a career in Management Information Systems.
Why was it important to you to apply to the ITA Student-Athlete Council, and what does it mean to you to represent college tennis athletes from across all levels of play, as well as specifically the level of play where you compete?Applying to the ITA Student‐Athlete Council was important to me because JUCO athletes are often overlooked, and I wanted to be part of changing that. It means a lot to step into a role where I actually have the power to share my perspective and advocate for players at every level, including my own. I wanted to represent the experiences that don’t always get highlighted and make sure our voices are heard.
As a student-athlete at Coastal Alabama Community College, you represent the JUCO level, which is a major pathway for many players. How does competing at the JUCO level shape your perspective on the needs of college tennis athletes?Competing at the JUCO level has shaped my perspective by showing how important it is for college tennis athletes to have a pathway that supports growth, development, and opportunity. For players who are still building their game, started tournaments later, or simply need more time to mature, JUCO serves as that first step on the ladder, a foundation that prepares us for higher levels like D3, D2, or NAIA. We train and compete just as intensely as four‐year programs, often playing up against them, which builds the leadership qualities coaches look for. JUCO tennis also proves that college tennis is accessible and inclusive, a good reminder that athletes deserve opportunities that meet them where they are and help them grow into who they can become.
You have powerfully highlighted the issue of underrepresentation for women’s sports in media, and how this trickles down to impact access and funding. What does it feel like to step into the role of a visible advocate for gender equity in college athletics, and what advice would you give to student-athletes interested in improving the visibility of women’s tennis?Stepping into the role of an advocate for women feels important to me because I’ve seen how underrepresentation affects women in tennis. Speaking up gives me a chance to bring attention to issues that many people don’t realize female athletes face. For student‐athletes who want to improve the visibility of women’s tennis, I’d encourage them to share their stories, highlight the work they put in every day, and use their platforms to show how competitive and committed women’s tennis truly is.
You are already leading by example in your work and in your community service. What does it mean to you to be a student-athlete who is more than just an athlete, and why is that identity so important for the future of college sports?Being a student‐athlete means showing up for more than just my sport and finding real ways to connect with my community. I know I won’t always be a student‐athlete, so these experiences help shape the kind of person and leader I want to be long after tennis ends. It’s also a privilege to inspire the next generation of student‐athletes, especially in a sport like tennis that many people don’t know much about. When people see us giving back and sharing our stories, they become fans not just of the sport but of the impact we’re trying to make. That identity matters for the future of college sports, especially at the JUCO level, because it helps grow our programs, strengthen our communities, and show that what we do reaches far beyond the court.
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).
