Youth Sports Roundtable

Steve explains that recruiting is not only about a player's ranking or best highlight. He targets athletes who can handle George Mason academically, typically looking for roughly a 3.5 GPA, because strong students are more likely to manage the demands of Division I tennis and qualify for academic assistance. Video and livestreaming now let him evaluate players around the world, but he still has to determine whether the person, school and program genuinely fit one another.

George Mason women's tennis can carry a roster of ten, but Steve says his program has the equivalent of only two full athletic scholarships to divide among its players. Many freshmen arrive without athletic money and rely on academic awards to make the opportunity work. His explanation is an important reminder for families: Division I status, a roster offer and a full athletic scholarship are three different things, and the real financial package may combine several forms of aid.

Steve reveals that A Plus Sports plans to expand beyond Burke Racquet & Swim Club through an agreement to acquire Chestnut Forks Tennis & Fitness in Warrenton, Virginia. The move is driven partly by waiting lists in its tennis-development programs and the need for more space. He explains that Chestnut Forks has served its community for 51 years, and its ownership wanted the property to remain dedicated to tennis and athletics rather than be sold for redevelopment. A Plus Sports’ commitment to preserve that use helped make the agreement possible and would create more opportunities for players, families and sports programs in Warrenton.