TEMPE, Ariz. -- Under the guidance of head coach Eric Christiansen, the Christopher Newport men's tennis program was recognized with the Atlantic South Region Community Service Award for the fourth time. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced the 2025 Division III Men's and Women's ITA Regional Awards on May 19. 

CNU last earned the recognition in 2023 after capturing the Community Service Award after also collecting the honor in 2018 and 2020. 

This year, the Captains volunteered time at the Peninsula Rescue Mission. Since April 1966, there has been an open door for homeless men on the peninsula at PRM, offering a bed with fresh linens, shower, clean clothes, and a hot meal. Thousands of men have found respite and a warm welcome through the PRM doors.

The CNU Men's Tennis team served dinner to the homeless population and followed up the meal by doing dishes, mopping, and cleaning up the eating area afterwards. 

"I try to make it a point each year to create opportunities that allow our players to serve our local community," said Christiansen. "I think it is incredibly important during this phase of their lives to try to create a habit of giving back."

Over the years, the Captains have volunteered at PRM, Newport News After School Programs, Hidenwood Elementary School, Coventry Elementary School, An Achievable Dream, and the Peninsula SPCA. These team events are also bolstered by a host of community service hours contributed by many of the Captains' players as individuals. 

In 2025, CNU shared the Community Service award with Washington College (Md.). 
 

Atlantic South Regional Award Winners

Award	Winner	School
ITA Coach of the Year	Eric Spangler	Haverford College
ITA Assistant Coach of the Year	Ian Melnik	Emory University
Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship	Aaradith Ravichandran	Washington College
ITA Rookie of the Year	Alex Feies	Carnegie Mellon University
ITA Most Improved Player	Dean Kamenev	Emory University
ITA Senior Player of the Year	Jordan Theron	Sewanee: The University of the South
ITA Player to Watch	Asher Willenborg	Salisbury University

ITA Community Service Award Winner: Christopher Newport, Washington College