ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – University of New Mexico women’s tennis head coach Erica Jasper has been named the national winner of the 2014 USTA/ITA Campus and Community Outreach Award as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on Wednesday.
“I am exceptionally honored to receive this award from the ITA and the USTA,” Jasper said. “A huge thank you to both organizations for helping us and encouraging us to give back to our campuses and communities.”
This prestigious award recognizes ITA member Head and Assistant College Coaches who provide a leadership role in promoting, organizing or participating in campus and community tennis programming that encourage tennis participation and that support the different USTA programs.
Jasper, who started at UNM as head coach in 2012, is much deserving of this honor as she has put in tremendous effort to stay involved with the entire Lobo tennis community. Throughout the year, Jasper and her team host Kids 10 & Under as well as adult tennis clinics to give community members a chance to come out and have some fun while working on their tennis skills. Additionally, each year Jasper hosts a USTA/ITA Campus Kids’ Day.
Jasper claims she can’t take all of the credit for the Lobos’ off-court success as associate head coach Kelcy McKenna and all of her players help make it possible.
“This award is truly a reflection of a team effort,” Jasper said. “I have amazing players and a great associate head coach in Kelcy McKenna–and our athletic department is one that encourages and promotes community service for all our athletic programs. Community service projects, whether on or off the tennis court, has brought our team closer and also has given us all a better appreciation for all the gifts we get as coaches and student-athletes.”
The Lobos certainly do their part to reach out to the community and it does not go unnoticed. Each year, the Lobo women’s tennis squad participates in the Walk to Defeat ALS® event here in Albuquerque which raises money to fight the degenerative brain disease and this past year the Lobos also took part in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, which raises awareness about breast cancer.
“Erica is a very deserving recipient for the ITA’s Campus and Community Outreach Award,” UNM Athletic Department chief operating officer Tim Cass said. “She works tirelessly to promote the game of tennis locally and nationally, and has had an incredible impact on our campus and local community. We are very proud of all of her efforts.”
Aside from their strong community service efforts, Jasper’s team also had a successful 2013-14 season on the tennis court and in the classroom. The Lobos claimed a 3.61 cumulative team GPA for the 2013-14 season, had seven players named to the Spring 2014 Academic All-Conference team, had seven players named Mountain West Scholar-Athletes, had seven players earn ITA Scholar-Athlete honors, and were named a 2014 ITA All-Academic team. In addition, the Lobos tallied a 17-8 record on the court, which was the most wins in the program since 2004 and also made their first conference championship appearance since 2004.
Jasper, joined by TCU men’s tennis coach David Roditi, was one of just two coaches to receive the national honor. Jasper and Roditi will both be honored at the ITA Membership & Awards Banquet held during the ITA Annual Coaches Convention on Sunday evening, December 14, 2014 at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, FL.
“I am extremely humbled and also very motivated to do more in the future in our local community and also on our campus,” Jasper added.
In 2013, Jasper won the USTA/ITA Campus and Community Outreach Award for the Southwest section.