Women’s Tennis: Winters Receives National Arthur Ashe Award    

With Ashe

As the 2009 US Open came to a close last week Martin Methodist College Senior women’s tennis player Allison Winters can say she was there, she watched the first matches of the tournament. She was in New York City receiving the 2009 ITA National Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. She was selected as the NAIA Region IV (South) Division award winner.

 

This award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. The national winners are honored during a special ceremony hosted by the USTA during the Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day inside the Ashe Stadium. This award which dates back to 1984, goes to NCAA Division 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 award luncheon took place in the USTA Presidents Dining Room at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, New York. 

 

Coach Sevier and Allison shared some thoughts about the trip, “The trip to New York was all and more than we expected it to be.  The ITA had a full and eventful schedule for Allison, and I was pleased to be included in the awards luncheon and be proud as Allison represented all the females in the NAIA.   We also took in some sights, including attending the musical “Wicked”.  I attended the Tennis Teachers’ Conference on Sunday, and it was amazing.  Culminating our trip was spending all day Monday and all evening at the US Open.  What an experience! “ stated Sevier.

Allison stated, "Being selected as the NAIA Arthur Ashe Leadership/Sportsmanship Winner has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. To even be mentioned in the same sentence as Arthur Ashe is a true honor and I feel like I have a lot to live up to in order to continue his legacy. Going to New York and getting to do all the amazing activities and being able to see some unbelievable tennis was more than I could have ever asked for and I will be forever grateful to MMC and Coach Sevier for allowing me the opportunity to play tennis and represent such a wonderful institution."

 

Winters came to Martin Methodist College from Pleasant View, Tennessee. She is currently a senior majoring in History.