2013 Tennis On Campus Award Recipients

The North Dakota State University Club Tennis team is the recipient of the 2013 USTA Tennis On Campus Club of the Year Award.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has named North Dakota State University’s Club Tennis Team as the 2012-13 Tennis On Campus Club of the Year. The award is presented annually to the college or university club tennis team that has
achieved a level of sustained excellence, while also demonstrating a commitment to giving back to their local community. The honor brings with it an automatic bid to the 2013 USTA Tennis On
Campus National Championship, which will be contested April 11-13, in Surprise, Ariz.

“It’s remarkable to see how many of these programs commit time and resources to improving their
local communities,” said Glenn Arrington, National Manager, USTA Tennis On Campus. “The North Dakota State University club tennis team serves as a great ambassador not just for the Tennis On Campus program, but also for their school. They have shown exceptional student leadership and should be proud of their accomplishments.”

Among the community service initiatives the NDSU club completes each year is to have team
members volunteer as court monitors at North Dakota high school tournaments throughout the fall.  They offer their services and promote their Tennis On Campus program – letting the next generation of players know that the tennis experience doesn’t have to end when high school does, according to vice president and four-time TOC Nationals participant, Erin Swanberg.

“Receiving this honor is so exciting,” said senior treasurer Kelly Rensink. “When I joined Tennis On Campus as a freshman, the club was just getting underway; it was small and sort of unorganized.  I’ve seen how much work the officers and players have put in on- and off- the- court, and it has paid off. To have the USTA recognize those efforts is truly awesome.”

USTA Tennis On Campus will present the North Dakota State University Club Tennis Team with its award on Saturday, April 13, at the 2013 USTA Tennis On Campus National Championship, featuring 64 co-ed teams representing colleges and universities throughout the nation.

Michael Lynch of the University of Illinois was named the  recipient of the 2013 Tennis On Campus Leader of the Year Award.

“Being named Tennis On Campus Leader of the Year means so much to me,” said Lynch. “It means a lot that the work I put in impacted people enough that they chose to nominate me for this honor. I was speechless when I found out that I had been selected.”

Lynch, who has been an active member of university’s club tennis program since his freshman year and in a leadership role for the past three, has fostered the growth of the club from 30 participants to nearly 70 members. He has led the way in club community service efforts with projects like volunteering ball boy hours at the USTA JSM Challenger and participating in the campus’ upcoming Relay For Life event.

“Our team didn’t make it to Nationals this year, so it’s bittersweet,” said Lynch. “Tennis On Campus has been a terrific experience. Winning this award is definitely a great way to go out; it’s a cherry on top.”

Lynch looks forward to playing with his teammates in one final tournament, the Tennis On Campus Spring Invitational in Tucson, Ariz., April 12-14, where the USTA will present Lynch his award during the awards ceremony.

“Michael embodies the principles we look for in our Tennis On Campus leaders,” said Glenn Arrington, National Manager, USTA Tennis On Campus. “His passion for tennis and dedication to his teammates and the campus community are second-to-none. The USTA is very proud to present this award to Michael Lynch.”

After graduating with a chemical engineering degree this May, Lynch will go on to work for Exxon Mobil in Houston where he plans to continue his involvement in tennis, long after he leaves campus.