STARNBERG, February 23, 2026
Slovenian Tara Katarina Milić, a 23-year-old former tennis player in the US-American collegiate system, has turned her personal experience into a mission. After graduating in Business from Purdue University, she founded TARA | College Sports Guidance, a project designed to help young athletes find the right university in the United States and guide them through the entire process — from the initial consultation to the final decision.
Milić describes herself as a former student-athlete who understands both the opportunities and the challenges of pursuing sport and education at the highest level. Her project is built on a personalized approach, recognizing that every athlete has different goals, strengths, and priorities. Some are stronger as individuals, others thrive in doubles or team environments. Some want to dedicate their college years primarily to athletic development, while others prioritize academics or seek a balance between the two. Her role is to help each athlete identify the environment, program, and team where they can maximize their potential and secure an opportunity that may shape their future.
The idea of studying in the United States emerged early in her life. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, Milić was exposed to high-level competition from a young age, while also maintaining a strong interest in academics. Her parents recognized this dual passion and introduced her to the US-American college system as a place where both ambitions could coexist at the highest standard.
By the end of primary school, she was already visiting universities in the United States during tournament trips, especially in Florida. There, she observed team practices, met players and coaches, and experienced firsthand how the system operates. The infrastructure and support available to student-athletes left a lasting impression, and from that point on, she was certain this was the path she wanted to pursue.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
Looking back today, she considers the decision one of the most valuable experiences of her life — professionally and personally. Moving abroad at 18 meant stepping out of her comfort zone, learning independence, discipline, and responsibility, while gaining exposure to opportunities that might not have been visible at home.
What impressed her most about the experience was the holistic nature of the US-American system. Universities provide an integrated environment where athletic and academic success go hand in hand. An athlete’s success reflects on the institution, which is why universities invest not only financially but also professionally — offering top-level coaches, expert staff, advanced facilities, and structured development programs. This supportive environment motivates athletes to fully develop their sporting, academic, and personal potential.
She was also struck by the diversity of options. Some universities demand elite athletic performance and total commitment to sport; others are more academically oriented; still others offer an ideal balance of both. This variety allows every athlete to find a path aligned with their ambitions and capabilities.
Milić began considering how to pass on her experience during her own studies, when many young athletes — particularly from Slovenia — approached her for advice about moving to the U.S. She quickly realized how complex and unclear the process can be. Without proper information and guidance, athletes risk leaving their future to chance. With approximately 365 universities in NCAA Division I and nearly 300 in Division II, choosing the right fit without strategy and research is comparable to picking a lottery ticket.
Over the past decade, the line between collegiate and professional sports in the U.S. has increasingly blurred. While it was once believed that university athletes had limited prospects of turning professional, today US-American universities actively recruit top talent from around the world, offering outstanding conditions for development during the transition from junior to senior competition.
In addition to tuition coverage, athletes benefit from professional training conditions, competition schedules, equipment and apparel, and up to 20 trips per year. Universities also provide comprehensive support teams, including physiotherapists, sports psychologists, nutritionists, strength and conditioning coaches, and medical staff. The combined value of these benefits can reach up to $100,000 per season per athlete. Recent regulatory changes have introduced additional financial opportunities, allowing athletes to receive compensation that can support their transition into professional careers after graduation.
The increasing competitiveness of collegiate sport is reflected on the global stage. At the most recent Australian Open, 34 players with a college background competed in the main draw, and 18 advanced to the second round — further evidence that the system is becoming a genuine pathway to professional success.
In closing, Milić encourages young athletes and their parents to embrace such opportunities wholeheartedly. She says she would choose the same path again without hesitation, describing her college years as some of the most formative and rewarding of her life. Beyond personal growth and fulfilled ambitions, the experience prepared her for life after sport with confidence and adaptability.
She also emphasizes that the benefits extend beyond the individual. Athletes who pass through the US-American collegiate system gain international experience and knowledge that they bring back home, contributing to the development of Slovenian sport and proudly representing their country at the highest level. For this reason, she highlights the importance of cooperation between universities, national federations, clubs, and domestic coaches, as student-athletes ultimately represent not only their institutions but also the colors of their homeland on the world stage.
