In America, college sports are the subject of national attention. The National BCS Championship game is broadcasted nationwide and is viewed by millions every year, and the NCAA Basketball Championships always have followers worked up every year.
In contrast, however, NCAA sports seem to be missing in Europe. Yearly college spectacles are simply non-existent.
"I once saw the Leeds University [European college] men's basketball team play," said Stine Bauer Dahlberg, a writer for the GW Hatchet. "I was one of four spectators. They did actually have cheerleaders though, but the three of them were standing against one wall wearing tracksuit bottoms under their skirts, with a pom-pom in one hand and wrapping their chewing gum around the tip of their index finger with the other."
Because of this lack of enthusiasm for student-athletes, many aspiring professionals travel to the United States for a better opportunity. One of these Europeans is Wojciech Starakiewicz, a sophomore tennis player at Buffalo.
Starakiewicz was born in Warsaw, Poland on Oct. 11,1988. Taking after his father, Starakiewicz started playing tennis at an early age. The difference between the two, however, was how serious they took the sport. His father only played for recreational purposes while Starakiewicz had other goals set in his mind.
"My dream was to become number one in the world," Starakiewicz said. "[The chance] didn't happen until now."
Starakiewicz accomplished many feats as a youth in Europe. In July 2006, he won the Under-18 Polish Championships in both singles and doubles. He also played as a junior in the International Tennis Federation (ITF), recording a record of 13-11.
However, there were not many resources for Starakiewicz to improve his tennis abilities. Since collegiate competition is not as popular in Europe as it is in the U.S., making a name for one's self is harder.
"In Europe, college sports aren't really good," Starakiewicz said. "If I wanted to continue playing tennis plus get an education, I had to come to the U.S."
Starakiewicz originally enrolled at the University of Tulsa and he recorded a 5-4 singles record there, but was dissatisfied with the school's program. To him, the dedication to the sport of tennis just wasn't there.
The situation seemed similar to that of his homeland until he met Lee Nickel, the men's tennis coach.
"He looked so committed," Starakiewicz said. "He made me feel that [Buffalo] would be [the right] place for me."
Starakiewicz joined the Bulls' tennis team as a transfer this year and has enjoyed his new home as can be seen through his performance. Starakiewicz holds a 5-1 record in singles, and a 3-2 record in doubles.
He also became the No. 5 seed in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the highest seed in Bulls history. As seen by his immediate success, Starakiewicz wants to do big things for Buffalo.
"In college, I would probably like to be top 20 in the NCAA," Starakiewicz said. "And maybe fight for the MAC championships for the first time for UB."
The NCAA has given Starakiewicz the opportunity to pursue both education and a successful tennis career. He is currently a communication major and hopes to go professional on the tennis circuit.
Starakiewicz considers the sport of tennis as a way for him to express himself being that there are many different playing styles one can compete with.
"Complexity is a good word [for the sport]," Starakiewicz said. "Different people can be the best players in the world. Federer and Nadal are two completely different players and they still compete at the highest level."
Starakiewicz is enthusiastic about his future in tennis because of the opportunities that playing in America presents. His success is now not determined by circumstance but rather will be decided by his skills.
E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
