(Story courtesy of Trinity University)
SKILLMAN, N.J. - Recent Trinity University graduate Erick DelaFuente (El Paso, TX/Coronado) has received the prestigious Intercollegiate Tennis Association/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award.
The national award was presented to DelaFuente Wednesday night at a banquet during the NCAA Division III Tennis Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He will join other honorees in a special ceremony, hosted by the USTA, during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day in August at the U.S. Open in New York.
The award, named for the late tennis great, goes to NCAA Divisions 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.
DelaFuente was team captain of the Tiger men's squad which advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the third time in four years. The two-time ITA All-American (2010 and 2012), was named the ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship West Region Award winner last week.
He won the ITA Regional singles title in the fall of 2009, and was also selected as the West Region Rookie Player of the Year. In 2011, DelaFuente captured the Regional doubles championship with Max Frey. Both victories qualified DelaFuente for the National Small College Championships in Mobile, Alabama.
DelaFuente was named to the 2013 All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Team, and to the SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team. He recorded a 12-12 singles record (largely at the No. 3 slot), and was 16-13 in No. 1 doubles with sophomore Jordan Mayer (San Antonio/Churchill).
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration on May 18 from Trinity, with a double concentration in accounting and finance. In the classroom, DelaFuente maintained a GPA of nearly 3.40.
He was heavily involved in community affairs, working on service projects with the San Antonio Children's Shelter, the San Antonio Animal Shelter, and Habitat for Humanity. DelaFuente also helped raised awareness for heart health by participating in the annual Heart Walk of San Antonio,
Fourth-year Head Coach Russell McMindes led Trinity to its fourth straight SCAC Championship, in matches played at the Butch Newman Tennis Center. Coach McMindes became a four-time SCAC Coach of the Year.
Trinity won its 18th overall SCAC title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 20th time in 2013. The Tigers defeated Ohio Northern (5-0) and Gustavus Adolphus (5-2) at the NCAA Regional in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Williams College beat Trinity 5-1 in the national quarterfinals May 20 at Kalamazoo College, and the Tigers completed the season with a 20-10 record.
