2008 Woodie Awards
International recruiting difficulties for sports
By: Breanna Herschelman
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: Sports
Athletic coaches at Webster have trouble recruiting for teams internationally with Division III limitations, but still find that Webster's worldwide focus brings in players.
Since NCAA guidelines do not allow Division III schools to offer financial aid for athletics, the teams do not see many international players, said men and women's tennis coach Michael Siener.
"It's hard to get players from outside the country because we don't give financial aid," Siener said. "The NAIA schools such as Lindenwood and McKendree can offer scholarships."
Athletics director Tom Hart said Webster does not actively pursue international students as much as it does local and regional students.
"There's two reasons we don't pursue international students as much," Hart said. "One is cost restrictions and the second is a lack of international connections."
Hart said Webster does not pursue students who attend its campuses abroad because those students usually only come to America for a semester or two.
The tennis team has international students on both its men and women's teams. Freshman Pamela Proano, a business administration major from Quito, Ecuador began playing tennis at country clubs back home. When she came to Webster, she wanted to continue playing and had no trouble joining the team.
"I wanted to feel more a part of the university and have fun," Proano said. "Being a part of the tennis team helped me a lot, especially with my English."
Proano said the biggest difference in playing tennis in America compared to Ecuador is the weather.
"The climate is completely different here," Proano said. "We have to play in both extreme cold and hot weather."
Raquel Rothermel, a sophomore international business major from London, moved to Florida at age 12. She went to a sports academy for two years where she played tennis half the day and went to school the other half.
After high school, Rothermel took a year off and went to Spain, where she also played tennis. Rothermel said playing tennis in Europe is more relaxed than the United States. Rothermel said the coaching styles are different as well.
Since NCAA guidelines do not allow Division III schools to offer financial aid for athletics, the teams do not see many international players, said men and women's tennis coach Michael Siener.
"It's hard to get players from outside the country because we don't give financial aid," Siener said. "The NAIA schools such as Lindenwood and McKendree can offer scholarships."
Athletics director Tom Hart said Webster does not actively pursue international students as much as it does local and regional students.
"There's two reasons we don't pursue international students as much," Hart said. "One is cost restrictions and the second is a lack of international connections."
Hart said Webster does not pursue students who attend its campuses abroad because those students usually only come to America for a semester or two.
The tennis team has international students on both its men and women's teams. Freshman Pamela Proano, a business administration major from Quito, Ecuador began playing tennis at country clubs back home. When she came to Webster, she wanted to continue playing and had no trouble joining the team.
"I wanted to feel more a part of the university and have fun," Proano said. "Being a part of the tennis team helped me a lot, especially with my English."
Proano said the biggest difference in playing tennis in America compared to Ecuador is the weather.
"The climate is completely different here," Proano said. "We have to play in both extreme cold and hot weather."
Raquel Rothermel, a sophomore international business major from London, moved to Florida at age 12. She went to a sports academy for two years where she played tennis half the day and went to school the other half.
After high school, Rothermel took a year off and went to Spain, where she also played tennis. Rothermel said playing tennis in Europe is more relaxed than the United States. Rothermel said the coaching styles are different as well.
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