LEXINGTON, Ky. ? University of Kentucky men?s tennis freshman Will Beck received the 2007 Junior Sportsmanship Award from the Mid-Atlantic Section of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) at the organization?s annual awards luncheon held in Arlington, Va. Nov. 17.
The USTA Mid-Atlantic Section consists of four districts encompassing Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The junior sportsmanship award is bestowed upon individuals whose court conduct demonstrates a positive role model for other players to follow.
The Potomac, Md., native completed his high school career at the Bullis School last summer. While at Bullis, Beck played No.1 singles for the nationally-recognized program under Coach Jack Schore. On the junior circuit, Beck was ranked as high as 67th in the nation.
During fall competition at UK, Beck split two matches at the Georgia Tech Invitational before playing at home in the ITA Southeast Indoor Regional at the Boone Tennis Center. After a first-round loss in the regional, Beck rattled off three straight wins to earn a spot in the consolation final. The freshman finished his first semester of college tennis at 5-2.
First UK match moved to Eastern Kentucky campus
Head Coach Dennis Emery announced the Jan. 27th match-ups with Eastern Kentucky and Toledo originally scheduled to be held at the Boone Tennis Complex have been moved to the Greg Adams Indoor Tennis Center on the EKU campus in Richmond, Ky. The Cats face the Colonels at 11 am ET followed by the match with the Rockets at 4 pm ET.
UK Tennis Alumnus to be Inducted into USTA Kentucky Hall of Fame
Rich Benson (1986-89) is one of the 2007 Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame Inductees selected by USTA Kentucky district based in Louisville, Ky. The induction ceremony scheduled for January 26th will honor Benson for his accomplishments and contributions to Kentucky tennis. While at UK, Benson paired with Greg Van Emburgh to become the Wildcats? first All-America doubles tandem in 1987. He also was an All-America selection in doubles during 1988 and 1989 seasons. After graduation, the former Wildcat went on to tour professionally and later coached aspiring tennis professionals like current ATP player Jan-Michael Gambill. Over the past decade, Benson has served as general manager of Tenni-Trac Sports Surfaces in Louisville, helping to earn the business a designation of ?Certified Tennis Court Builder? from the United States Tennis Court and Track Builders Association.
2006 Alumnus Alex Hume Named Assistant Men?s Tennis Coach at UNCW
Recent Kentucky standout Alex Hume was named assistant men’s tennis coach at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington this fall. Hume played No. 1 singles and was a team captain for the Wildcats. The Alexandria, Va., native served as a tennis professional in Hilton Head, S.C., last summer and taught camps at the Four Star Tennis Academy in Merrifield, Va., as well as the Jack Schore Tennis Academy in Bethesda, Md., before his hire. UNCW opens its season at Tennessee on Jan. 27th.
“I’m very excited about the new season and working with a new team,” said Hume. “We’re working hard and hope to have a successful season this year.”
