University of North Carolina Athletics
David Caldwell won the Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award in 1995.
Carolina's Rafael Osuna Award Winners
June 28, 2021 | Men's Tennis
Carolina's rich men's tennis history includes dozens of great players, champions, coaches and award winners.
Among the most prestigious awards on the Tar Heel tennis mantel is the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award.
Three Carolina players have won this, the oldest of ITA individual honors: Roland Thornqvist (1992, 1993), David Caldwell (1995) and now William Blumberg (2021). Blumberg joined this illustrious list this season.
The Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award is the ITA's longest-running award. It honors a Division I men's student-athlete who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics and has had outstanding playing accomplishments.
The award was established in 1969 in memory of Rafael Osuna, who was killed in a place accident at the age of 30. Osuna is one of the all-time great collegiate tennis players, winning three NCAA doubles titles and the 1962 NCAA singles title as part of a USC team that many consider to be the greatest in history.
"The common threads that run between all three of these players were extremely fair and have impeccable character on and off the court," says longtime Carolina head coach Sam Paul. "All of those guys would play balls that were out just to be good sports. And Roland, David and William are all so likable off the court as well. Their teammates loved them, and they were the types of players any coach would love to coach."
Among the most prestigious awards on the Tar Heel tennis mantel is the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award.
Three Carolina players have won this, the oldest of ITA individual honors: Roland Thornqvist (1992, 1993), David Caldwell (1995) and now William Blumberg (2021). Blumberg joined this illustrious list this season.
The Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award is the ITA's longest-running award. It honors a Division I men's student-athlete who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics and has had outstanding playing accomplishments.
The award was established in 1969 in memory of Rafael Osuna, who was killed in a place accident at the age of 30. Osuna is one of the all-time great collegiate tennis players, winning three NCAA doubles titles and the 1962 NCAA singles title as part of a USC team that many consider to be the greatest in history.
"The common threads that run between all three of these players were extremely fair and have impeccable character on and off the court," says longtime Carolina head coach Sam Paul. "All of those guys would play balls that were out just to be good sports. And Roland, David and William are all so likable off the court as well. Their teammates loved them, and they were the types of players any coach would love to coach."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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