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Southwestern University

Dimanche Earns ITA West Region Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Awards 

Photo by Carlos Barron
Photo by Carlos Barron
Posted: May 20, 2020
GEORGETOWN, Texas – Despite a shortened senior season, All-American Alexis Dimanche, who has always demonstrated a high caliber of play and sportsmanship in the Southwestern Men's Tennis program, did not go unnoticed and was awarded Division III West Region's Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. 

Dimanche is the second Southwestern men's tennis player to receive this prestigious honor. Former tennis player Grant Gideon won the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sportsmanship Leadership Award for the West Region in 2018.

Head Coach Billy Porter says, "Alexis is a first-class human​being and is beyond deserving of this prestigious award. Alexis joins Grant Gideon, who won this award in 2018, making him the second Southwestern player to win it in the last three years. It's a huge deal for our program and we are fortunate to have such wonderful young men representing us."

The ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Sportsmanship and Leadership Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. This award, which dates back to 1982, 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 academic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. Anderson was also the award winner for the ITA Central Region.

In his time at Southwestern University, Dimanche finished his 2020 season with a 5-1 singles record playing exclusively from the No. 1 position, including a win over Redlands' Andrew Leahy to clinch the Pirates' 5-4 victory over the No. 18-ranked team at the time. 

Dimanche finished his career with 131 combined wins, edging out teammate Dean Dulthummon by two victories for the program's all-time record. Not only with an incredible career record, Dimanche ended his career ranking No. 27 in men's tennis singles in the final ITA poll. He also placed No. 7 in the ITA West Region ITA ranking.

Dimanche will continue his education in a Ph.D. program for Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas. 

To view the entire list of 2020 ITA Division III men's regional awards, click here.

The national winners of the awards will be announced next Wednesday, May 27 at 8 a.m. PDT during a special virtual awards ceremony. The awards ceremony can be viewed on the ITA's Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.