Stanford senior tennis standout Ryan Thacher has been named winner of the 2012 Men’s ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced the national award winners for NCAA Division I tennis on Tuesday during a ceremony on the campus of the University of Georgia, in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Team Championships.
A two-year captain for the Cardinal, Thacher has helped lead the team through several ups and downs in his four years. He has had tremendous success on the court, reaching the NCAA doubles semifinals in 2010 and the NCAA finals in 2011.
Thacher also has been named an ITA All-American twice in his career, along with earning All- Pac-12 first-team honors on three occasions. Thacher has recorded at least 20 singles victories in each of his four seasons with the Cardinal.
While not the most vocal leader in the history of Stanford tennis, his leadership is second to none. He leads by example, always showing his opponents and officials respect no matter the situation he is in.
Thacher has an impressive 3.917 GPA with a major in history, demonstrating a tremendous focus to balance athletics and academics. He has also worked with the East Palo Alto Tennis & Tutorial Program, a program that brings local kids in to be tutored by Stanford students.
Thacher plans to attend medical school to become a pediatric surgeon or trauma specialist after playing tennis professionally.
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
By Palo Alto Online Sports
Someone either has the wrong name or the wrong picture (Bradley Klahn) in this article. A bit embarrassing.
Congratulations to one or the other from a fan.