TEMPE, Ariz. — Over the course of the 2025-26 college tennis season, members of the ITA Student-Athlete Council will be featured in monthly spotlights that will give the greater college tennis community an inside look at some of our Student-Athlete Council members and what they are accomplishing on and off the court.
The next spotlight of the season features Elisabeth Dunac, a junior at Indiana University who stresses the importance of the “well-rounded student-athlete” and the vast networking opportunities available to her peers.
“I think it is critical for all players to have a voice, especially as we are currently experiencing so much change to the collegiate tennis and athletics environment as a whole.”
Read more about Elisabeth in this spotlight below:
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?
It was important for me to apply to the ITA Student-Athlete Council to support the ITA’s efforts to improve student-athlete career development and help them maximize their time in college. It means a lot to me to represent collegiate tennis players from all divisions and collaborate with my fellow council members on issues surrounding all divisions. I think it is critical for all players to have a voice, especially as we are currently experiencing so much change to the collegiate tennis and athletics environment as a whole.
In your experience leading the Fairview Elementary Mentorship Program, in which you facilitated reading and recess initiatives to support a classroom of local students, you observed firsthand that community outreach impacts the athlete as much as the community. What advice do you have for student-athletes interested in starting a community initiative while building the program’s local fan base?
I would encourage student-athletes to reach out to their university’s career center or student organizations for information on existing community service programs, or contact schools, food banks, shelters, or other community-focused organizations directly for volunteer work or to start a program. Volunteer work is always in demand, and organization leaders are always excited to work with student-athletes! While we all have busy schedules and can get wrapped up in tennis and academics, contributing to your community truly does make an impact on others and on your own life.
You’ve noted that many athletes are unaware of the ITA Alumni Network or Mentorship Program. What suggestions do you have for making these professional tools a standard part of every student-athlete’s toolkit?
Some suggestions I would have are to not be scared in reaching out to alumni in the network or Mentorship program, as they truly are all eager to help tennis student-athletes out. Most alumni will be glad to answer some questions through email or hop on a quick zoom call to chat. The advice that these alumni provide is invaluable, especially as it comes from graduates who have navigated applying to and starting jobs post-college and have similar perspective and experiences. You never know where a conversation can take you!
You’ve voiced a desire to help athletes create a holistic college experience beyond just the classroom and the court. In your view, how does shifting the focus toward becoming a ‘well-rounded’ athlete help alleviate the identity crisis many players face when transitioning into the professional world?
I think becoming a well-rounded student-athlete can help with the identity crisis some players face by helping student-athletes to begin exploring possible careers or passions and set themselves up for success prior to leaving the college environment. Some ways to do so are by joining student organizations, interning during school, or speaking to alumni in careers you are interested in. Even if you do not have a set post-grad plan, I think it is important to prepare early for the future so that you don’t find yourself without career options once you graduate.
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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).
