University of Delaware Athletics
Photo by: Mark Campbell
Luis Marcano Garners ITA Regional Awards
5/18/2020 2:36:00 PM | Men's Tennis
TEMPE, Ariz. – For the first time in program history, a Blue Hen picked up regional ITA honors Monday as senior Luis Marcano captured the Atlantic Region's Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award in addition to the Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award.
"I am so proUD for Luis and all of the hard work he has put in on and off the court," exclaimed Pablo Montana, who recently completed his fourth season as head coach of the Blue Hens. "I am thrilled that he is being recognized for his leadership and sportsmanship qualities as he truly understands the meaning of being a teammate."
A two-time team captain and this past season's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, the native of Kralendijk, Bonaire is a three-time CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll recipient, ITA Scholar Athlete and HENS Mentor. Marcano is a member of the NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee and twice attended the NCAA Convention as a University Student-Athlete representative. Additionally, he has led volunteer efforts for UDance and the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, Special Olympics, Food Bank of Delaware and the CAA Coat and Toy Drive.
Marcano is slated to graduate this spring with a degree in computer engineering with minors in computer science and cybersecurity. He will return to the Blue Hens in the fall for his fifth season of eligibility, which was granted by the NCAA due to his senior season being cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 30 career singles wins and 21 career doubles victories. Marcano will be pursuing his master's degree in robotics.
The prestigious Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, which dates back to 1982, is presented to men's and women's tennis student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements in ways that embody the legacy of tennis icon and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr.
The Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award is the ITA's longest-running award and honors a Division I men's tennis student-athlete who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics and has had outstanding playing accomplishments. The award was established in 1969 in memory of Rafael Osuna, who was killed in a plane accident at the age of 30. Osuna is one of the all-time great collegiate tennis players, winning three NCAA doubles titles and the 1962 NCAA singles title as part of a USC team that many consider to be the greatest of all time.
Additionally, the University of Delaware men's tennis team was acknowledged for its goodwill efforts as Team Community Service Award Honorable Mention accolades.
"This is also a great honor for our team to be recognized for our community service," Montana remarked. "It's a nice testament to our guys for embracing this as one of our core values."
The Blue Hens completed nearly 70 hours of recorded community service since August 2019 and volunteered with the Kind to Kids Organization, Friendship House and Greenville Country Club.
The ITA Community Service Award honors a team that gives back to their campus and community through tennis and non-tennis pathways.
The ITA will announce its national award winners on Monday, May 25 during a special virtual awards ceremony.
"I am so proUD for Luis and all of the hard work he has put in on and off the court," exclaimed Pablo Montana, who recently completed his fourth season as head coach of the Blue Hens. "I am thrilled that he is being recognized for his leadership and sportsmanship qualities as he truly understands the meaning of being a teammate."
A two-time team captain and this past season's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, the native of Kralendijk, Bonaire is a three-time CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll recipient, ITA Scholar Athlete and HENS Mentor. Marcano is a member of the NCAA Division I Competition Oversight Committee and twice attended the NCAA Convention as a University Student-Athlete representative. Additionally, he has led volunteer efforts for UDance and the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, Special Olympics, Food Bank of Delaware and the CAA Coat and Toy Drive.
Marcano is slated to graduate this spring with a degree in computer engineering with minors in computer science and cybersecurity. He will return to the Blue Hens in the fall for his fifth season of eligibility, which was granted by the NCAA due to his senior season being cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 30 career singles wins and 21 career doubles victories. Marcano will be pursuing his master's degree in robotics.
The prestigious Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, which dates back to 1982, is presented to men's and women's tennis student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements in ways that embody the legacy of tennis icon and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr.
The Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award is the ITA's longest-running award and honors a Division I men's tennis student-athlete who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics and has had outstanding playing accomplishments. The award was established in 1969 in memory of Rafael Osuna, who was killed in a plane accident at the age of 30. Osuna is one of the all-time great collegiate tennis players, winning three NCAA doubles titles and the 1962 NCAA singles title as part of a USC team that many consider to be the greatest of all time.
Additionally, the University of Delaware men's tennis team was acknowledged for its goodwill efforts as Team Community Service Award Honorable Mention accolades.
"This is also a great honor for our team to be recognized for our community service," Montana remarked. "It's a nice testament to our guys for embracing this as one of our core values."
The Blue Hens completed nearly 70 hours of recorded community service since August 2019 and volunteered with the Kind to Kids Organization, Friendship House and Greenville Country Club.
The ITA Community Service Award honors a team that gives back to their campus and community through tennis and non-tennis pathways.
The ITA will announce its national award winners on Monday, May 25 during a special virtual awards ceremony.
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