FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. – Embry-Riddle senior men's tennis player David Spennare was recognized as the NAIA's recipient of the 2012 Arthur Ashe Jr. National Leadership and Sportsmanship Award at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Awards Luncheon on Aug. 25. The presentation, which was part of the Arthur Ashe Kids' Day activities at the US Open, took place in the President's Suite Dining Room at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
 
The ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship Award takes into account a player's tennis accomplishments, scholastic achievements and extracurricular endeavors.  Just as Arthur Ashe was a great player and humanitarian, this award (which dates to 1984) recognizes players who excelled on and off the court during their college careers. Sportsmanship, leadership and character are also important criteria.
 
Spennare (Gothenburg, Sweden) has enjoyed success both on and off the court. He was named to the All-Sun Conference second team for the second year in a row, boasting an unblemished 3-0 conference record and a 14-2 overall mark. His 3.92 grade point average in Business Administration earned him NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete, ITA All-America Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-Conference accolades. Spennare, who is the men's tennis representative on the Eagles' Student-Athlete Leadership Team, has worked with Habitat for Humanity, cleaned local beaches, visited nursing homes during the holidays and purchased Christmas presents for underprivileged kids.

“During my three years at Embry-Riddle, I have learned to appreciate how fortunate I am,” Spennare stated. “As time goes by I have come to realize how satisfying it is to give back to those who are less fortunate.  Before I came to the U.S., I had never done community service. Once I started doing various activities with the team I realized the value of my actions, and how good it feels to help other people, whether it is working with kids at local school, Habitat for Humanity, or cleaning the local beach. What I have learned in college will stay with me for the rest of my life, and by following these values I will hopefully be perceived as an honest and honorable person with a desire to help others.”