TEMPE, Ariz. -- For the second time in the last three years, the Christopher Newport University men's tennis team was honored with the Atlantic South Region Community Service Award presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). The ITA announced the 2020 Division III Men's and Women's ITA Regional Awards on Wednesday. 

Despite the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ITA recognizes the hard work on and off the court from deserving student-athletes. The Division III awards include: Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Player to Watch, ITA Most Improved Senior, ITA Senior Player of the Year, and the ITA Community Service Award. The Captains earned the ITA Community Service Award, which honors a team that gives back to their campus and their community through tennis and non-tennis pathways. 

"Each year we look for ways to get our players positively engaged in the community off court," said Director of Tennis Eric Christiansen. "We have developed some great relationships in the community over the years and love giving back."

In January and February, the Christopher Newport men's tennis program served the Hampton Roads community with team service hours spent at the Peninsula Rescue Mission. The Peninsula Rescue Mission has been open since 1966 and exists for the purposes of aiding the poor and needy while providing shelter for the homeless. The Captains assisted the organization's mission by serving food, cleaning up the dining area, and washing dishes. 

Each year, Christiansen and the men's tennis team are heavily involved in serving the community. This year, the team also took part in the annual Kids First initiative with the rest of the CNU Athletic Department and greeted students at Tabb Middle School in November to kick off Kindness Week. These team events were bolstered by a bevy of individual community service hours by many of the Captains' players. 
 

Atlantic South Regional Award Winners

• Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship: Brandon Beck, Millsaps College
• ITA Rookie of the Year: Andrew Watson, University of Mary Washington
• ITA Player to Watch: Moses Hutchison, University of Mary Washington
• ITA Most Improved Senior: Jordan Brewer, Sewanee
• ITA Senior Player of the Year: Jordan Brewer, Sewanee
• ITA Community Service Award: Christopher Newport University
• ITA Community Service Award Honorable Mention: Carnegie Mellon University