INDIANAPOLIS, IN (August 14, 2023) –The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Universal Tennis have announced a renewal of their partnership for an additional three years through 2026. The partnership helps bring innovative resources to NFHS’ member state associations and their 19,500 high schools.
Universal Tennis will allow tournament organizers to utilize UTR Rating for seeding, making it easier than ever to create draws. Organizers can also embed live draws on a state association website. Created by Universal Tennis, the UTR Rating system rates all players – professional, collegiate, high school, junior and recreational – on the same 16-point scale, regardless of age, gender or location.
"Universal Tennis has made a very strong and lasting impact in the high school tennis space and has now grown to be working with 27 state associations,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, NFHS Chief Executive Officer. “The UTR Rating is a proven tool that continues to gain great traction across our member state associations.”
“Universal Tennis is excited to renew our partnership with NFHS. We look forward to continuing to elevate and innovate high school tennis,” said Chase Hodges, Universal Tennis Vice President. “This partnership will allow us to continue to play a large role in assisting state associations, high school players, and high school coaches all across the U.S.”
In addition to properly seeding tournaments, the UTR Rating system can significantly reduce roster stacking, accurately assess talent level, and track player development.
“Our member associations have spoken highly of their Universal Tennis relationship. It has been impressive to see their growth throughout the nation," said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports and Staff Liaison for Tennis.
Universal Tennis continues to grow in the high school space, with more than 10,000 high schools and 8,500 high school coaches across the country utilizing the platform. Universal Tennis High School is free to all high school administrators, coaches and players. Coaches can also use the software to host events and raise funds for their programs.
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About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,500 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.6 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.
