Stiefelmeyer Earns NCAA Student-Athlete Sportsmanship Award
October 28, 2015 | Men's Tennis
2015 senior Sebastian Stiefelmeyer continues to add to his collection of honors
The University of Louisville's Sebastian Stiefelmeyer, a senior on the Cardinals' 2015 men's tennis team, is one of four student-athletes selected to receive the 2014-15 NCAA Student-Athlete Sportsmanship Award as announced Wednesday.
The awards are given to honor the efforts of college athletes and administrators who work to protect the integrity of sports and create an even and welcoming playing field for all athletes and fans.
In his senior year competing in tennis at the University of Louisville, Sebastian Stiefelmeyer was down 0-1 in the Round of 16 of the singles event in the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships. He was in a critical stage of the second set when his opponent, Winston Lin of Columbia University, hit a serve that both Stiefelmeyer and the chair umpire called out, meaning Stiefelmeyer would face a slower second serve with a greater chance to return the point and take over the second set. However, after taking a second look at the line, Stiefelmeyer reversed his initial call, giving the pivotal point to Lin, who went on to win a 7-4 and 6-4 match that ended Stiefelmeyer's collegiate career.
Columbia head men's tennis coach Bid Goswami, a 30-year coaching veteran, told Louisville head men's tennis coach Rex Ecarma that he had never seen a player reverse a call like that in such a close match, with advancement in the tournament on the line.
Stiefelmeyer was also awarded the Intercollegiate Tennis Association/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, one of the most prestigious awards in college tennis, for his character, conduct and unwavering sportsmanship.
"Even after graduation, this special young man continues to win awards," said UofL head coach Rex Ecarma. "Sebastian showed great sportsmanship at the most important and critical time of the year - the NCAA Championships. He continues to add to the most decorated individual season of a tennis player in UofL history. This prestigious NCAA national sportsmanship award is added to the Arthur Ashe National Award, ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and his top national ranking."
Stiefelmeyer, became the first player in program history to receive the ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award which recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
One of the most decorated players in UofL men's tennis history, Stiefelmeyer was a four-time all-conference selection and an ITA All-American in singles play during his senior season (2015). After being the top-ranked player in the nation twice in the spring, he finished 2015 ranked No. 9 nationally in singles play, posting a school record 42 wins. Additionally, he was the ITA/Ohio Valley Region Most Improved Player of the Year. In September, 2014, the Stiefelmeyer also my school history by becoming the first Cardinal to win the USTA/ITA All-American Singles Championship.
The Vienna, Austria native received his degree in economics in May, 2015.
Release courtesy of the NCAA's Andrea Farmer
The awards are given to honor the efforts of college athletes and administrators who work to protect the integrity of sports and create an even and welcoming playing field for all athletes and fans.
In his senior year competing in tennis at the University of Louisville, Sebastian Stiefelmeyer was down 0-1 in the Round of 16 of the singles event in the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championships. He was in a critical stage of the second set when his opponent, Winston Lin of Columbia University, hit a serve that both Stiefelmeyer and the chair umpire called out, meaning Stiefelmeyer would face a slower second serve with a greater chance to return the point and take over the second set. However, after taking a second look at the line, Stiefelmeyer reversed his initial call, giving the pivotal point to Lin, who went on to win a 7-4 and 6-4 match that ended Stiefelmeyer's collegiate career.
Columbia head men's tennis coach Bid Goswami, a 30-year coaching veteran, told Louisville head men's tennis coach Rex Ecarma that he had never seen a player reverse a call like that in such a close match, with advancement in the tournament on the line.
Stiefelmeyer was also awarded the Intercollegiate Tennis Association/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award, one of the most prestigious awards in college tennis, for his character, conduct and unwavering sportsmanship.
"Even after graduation, this special young man continues to win awards," said UofL head coach Rex Ecarma. "Sebastian showed great sportsmanship at the most important and critical time of the year - the NCAA Championships. He continues to add to the most decorated individual season of a tennis player in UofL history. This prestigious NCAA national sportsmanship award is added to the Arthur Ashe National Award, ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and his top national ranking."
Stiefelmeyer, became the first player in program history to receive the ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award which recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
One of the most decorated players in UofL men's tennis history, Stiefelmeyer was a four-time all-conference selection and an ITA All-American in singles play during his senior season (2015). After being the top-ranked player in the nation twice in the spring, he finished 2015 ranked No. 9 nationally in singles play, posting a school record 42 wins. Additionally, he was the ITA/Ohio Valley Region Most Improved Player of the Year. In September, 2014, the Stiefelmeyer also my school history by becoming the first Cardinal to win the USTA/ITA All-American Singles Championship.
The Vienna, Austria native received his degree in economics in May, 2015.
Release courtesy of the NCAA's Andrea Farmer
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