Yamakawa Earns Arthur Ashe Third Team Sports Scholar Award

FAIRFAX, VA — Sophomore Eri Yamakawa (Eastchester, NY) was selected to the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Third Team for Women’s Tennis.

“I am honored to receive such a recognition, to me, Arthur Ashe Jr. and this award are about more than athletics. I am privileged to represent SUNY New Paltz and Division III Athletics as an Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar.” -Eri Yamakawa

Yamakawa is in her second year of intercollegiate competition with the SUNY New Paltz women’s tennis team. Yamakawa has accumulated a 16-6 record in singles play, participating at both number one and two singles. At number one doubles, Yamakawa has posted a 16-5 record. Yamakawa has twice been named to the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) All-Conference Second Team and has garnered recognition from the New York State Collegiate Women’s Athletic Association (NYSWCAA) on the All-State Second Team. She has served two terms as team captain and was named the most valuable player for her freshman year, 2005. Eri has volunteered her time for the Special Olympics and Relay for Life while at SUNY New Paltz. In 2005, she was selected to attend the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Leadership Conference.

As described by head coach Rob Bruley, “(Eri is) an outstanding role model for any student-athlete. (She is) a person who displays sportsmanship regardless of outcome. She only accepts 100% commitment from herself towards the program, the department and the institution.”

More than 600 students were nominated for the annual Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Awards this year. To be eligible students must compete in an intercollegiate sport, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2, and be active on their campuses or in their communities. In 1992, Black Issues In Higher Education established the Sports Scholars Award to honor undergraduate students of color who exemplify the standards set by tennis great Arthur Ashe Jr.; scholarship, athleticism and humanitarianism. Students selected as an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar must exhibit excellence athletically, academically and socially.

Yamakawa is the first winner of an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award at SUNY New Paltz since Alex Acey won in 1998 as a member of the men’s swimming and diving team.