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The Christopher Newport men's and Texas A&M women's
tennis teams have been honored as March’s recipients
of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)
National Team Sportsmanship Award.
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.
Christopher Newport is coached by Rush Cole and
Texas A&M is coached by Bobby Kleinecke. In addition
to the obvious reasons, sportsmanship and fair play
are considered important in college tennis due to
the fact that players make their own line calls
during a match.
Texas A&M is an NCAA Division I school. Christopher
Newport is an NCAA Division III school located in
Newport News, Va.
Texas A&M
The
Nominating Coach: "We played them at home this
season and it came down to a final match at No. 6
singles. Their player was fair the entire match and
after we won, their captain congratulated our team.
As big a rivalry as we have with them, they don't
use gamesmanship or cheat. Very impressive
considering the stakes."
Texas A&M Coach Bobby Kleinecke: "We are extremely
honored to be selected for this Sportsmanship Award.
It is an important part of this team, Texas A&M, and
our tennis family. This group of girls fight
extremely hard on the court and stress character and
how you handle yourself on a daily basis. It's a
bonus that it doesn't go unnoticed. I appreciate the
ITA having this award so that sportsmanship never
gets lost in the big picture with so much emphasis
on winning."
Christopher Newport
The Nominating Coach: "Christopher Newport came to
Haverford on March 22, 2008, for a dual match that
had to be played indoors on a fast surface (bad
weather). The match was well contested by both
teams. No official was present, but there were no
code violations of any kind. Both teams were cordial
to each other at all times. Both teams played close
balls and gave the benefit of the doubt to the
opponent on close calls. Of particular note, No. 1
Eddie Glidewell and No. 4 Lorenzo Sison of
Christopher Newport each 'gave' an extremely close
call to their Haverford opponents on crucial points
- Eddie and Lorenzo felt the balls might have been
out, but they couldn't 'see' the balls out, so the
call was good. This is the way tennis should be
played! Congratulations to Coach Rush Cole and the
entire Christopher Newport team for their
sportsmanship!"
Christopher Newport Coach Rush Cole: "I feel very
fortunate to have such a nice group of
student-athletes. It has always been important to
our program to conduct ourselves with integrity and
good sportsmanship. I know that this year's team
will be honored, as will all former members of the
Christopher Newport Tennis Program." |
