TEMPE, Ariz. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) has awarded the Gustavus men’s tennis team with the Steve Wilkinson Team Sportsmanship Award.
The award is dedicated to the memory of Steve Wilkinson, long time Gustavus 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 Gusties won the consolation title at this year’s Indoor Championship after losing to Pomona-Pitzer in the first round, followed by wins over Whitman and Case Western Reserve.
“We are grateful beyond words to have been selected as the Steve Wilkinson Sportsmanship Award winner at ITA National Indoors,” Head Coach Tommy Valentini said. “The sportsmanship from all teams throughout the event was outstanding and a testament to the great work going on across Division III tennis. Coach [Wilkinson] was a driving force in making this tournament into to a prestigious and premier event, and we have always been grateful that the award honors his legacy. I could not have been more proud of how well our guys lived out the value of sportsmanship in defeat and victory during each match of the tournament and how they continue to see great sportsmanship as a primary measure of success. We are grateful for the recognition from our colleagues and fellow competitors, and honored beyond words to have won this award in Coach’s spirit. He would certainly be proud and thankful for the great sportsmanship and respect that this group of Gusties strives to show on and off the court. This will be another inspiring source for our guys to continue that process.”
well done Gusties Steve would be proud