Michigan Tech

Aya Minakata competed collegiately at the University of South Carolina from 2002-04. The native of Tokyo, Japan held National and International rankings competing in ITF Juniors and WTA Tours prior to her collegiate career. She received a bachelor’s degree in Sports & Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina, and a master’s degree in International Business from Georgia State University. Minakata has been a resident of the Copper Country since 2012. Her husband is a professor at Michigan Tech and they have two children born and raised in Houghton.