The ITA has long recognized outstanding sportsmanship displayed by member coaches, their teams and student-athletes.
The ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. This award which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men’s and women’s players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
The ITA National Team Sportsmanship Award is a monthly award that goes to one men’s and one women’s team that has exemplified outstanding sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct in the true spirit of competition and collegiate tennis. The winners are selected by the ITA Ethics and Infractions Committee from nominations received from all ITA member institutions (NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community Colleges). This monthly award began in 2003. Submit your nominations here (deadline passed).
The ITA/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship goes to a Division I women’s player who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team’s performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis. It dates back to 1997 and is in memory of the late and widely admired Penn women’s tennis coach Cissie Leary.
The ITA/Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award is the ITA’s longest-running award and goes to a Division I men’s player who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics and has had outstanding tennis playing accomplishments. The award was established in 1969 in memory of Rafael Osuna, who was killed in a plane accident at the age of 30. Osuna is one of the all-time great collegiate tennis players, winning three NCAA doubles titles (1961-63) and the 1962 NCAA singles title as part of USC teams many consider to be the greatest of all-time.
The James O’ Hara Sargent Sportsmanship Awards go to players who display outstanding sportsmanship and exemplify the spirit of college tennis during the course of the ITA Cup. The award is given in memory of Jim Sargent, former Media Manager for Rolex Watch USA, who was involved in a fatal car accident in 2000. He was a great friend of college tennis, an ITA All American who competed with outstanding success and sportsmanship at Lynchburg College, and afterwards continued as a special partner to the ITA in his role with Rolex.
The Division I Men’s and Women’s National Fall Championships Sportsmanship Award winners are chosen by the Tournament Committee and officials for displaying outstanding sportsmanship and exemplifying the spirit of college tennis during the course of the Oracle ITA National Fall Championships.
The Steve Wilkinson Team Sportsmanship Award is dedicated to the memory of Steve Wilkinson, long time Gustavus Adolphus men’s head tennis coach and founder of Tennis & Life Camps. The award is presented to the team that has displayed exceptional sportsmanship, character, and ethical conduct in the true spirit of competition and college tennis during the ITA Division III National Men’s Team Indoor Championship each year.
The ITA Division III National Women’s Team Indoor Sportsmanship Award is awarded to the team that best displays on- and off-court demeanor, exceptional sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct in the true spirit of competition and college tennis during the championship, as recognized by the participating coaches.
