Senior tennis player Jonny Rigby was named the 2016 Intercollegiate Tennis Association/Arthur Ashe leadership and sportsmanship awardee for the central region.

The award recognizes tennis players who have excelled both on and off the court during their collegiate career. Criteria for the award includes tennis accomplishments, scholastic achievements and community service involvement.

“I’m really happy to have been selected for the award, it’s something I didn’t expect,” said Rigby who finished his career with 144 combined singles and doubles wins, No. 2 in SIU history. “This was my final year as an athlete and I’m proud to have finished my career the way myself and the team have.” 

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He has been named MVC Player of the Week twice this season, most recently after going 2-0 against Drake on April 23.

His win at position one against Drake clinched the match 4-3, which earned the Salukis their share of the regular-season conference title for the first time in program history.

Rigby’s 3.48 GPA in management as well as community involvement contributed to the Ashe award. 

“I hope I will have left a good example for the rest of the guys to follow with the rest of their careers,” Rigby said. 

Athena Chrysanthou can be reached at [email protected]