TEMPE, Ariz. - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced its NCAA Division III Regional Awards for the 2026 season this week, and the University of Northwestern Men's and Women's Tennis teams brought home perhaps the most meaningful awards of the bunch. Both squads were awarded the Central Region's Community Service Award, showing impact in the community and God's Kingdom.
Much of Northwestern's credentials for the awards could be attributed to
its showing in the ITA Community Service Challenge in the fall, where the men's team finished in fourth place in the two-month initiative that spanned all four levels of collegiate tennis, and the women's team in ninth. In regards to the challenge, Head Coach
Matt Swigart said, "We pray that the ripple effects of each of our projects continue throughout eternity. We pray that the ministries we served with are able to accomplish more because we helped, and we eagerly desire that as we served, the Lord was at work in us, was growing us into men and women who have an eye on service and ministry opportunities, and are willing to detour our time to meet those needs. Finally, we hope that as people see or hear about this story, it adorns the Gospel and helps continue to advance the name and mission of the University of Northwestern."
In addition to the eight different service projects across five organizations in the fall, the Eagles continued to make efforts to advance God's Kingdom on and off the court during their season as well. Student-Athletes could often be seen praying with their opponents after matches and displaying top-tier sportsmanship in a sport that depends on it. And if you ask UNW's student-athletes and coaching staff, their hope is that the impact that was made will continue to have a ripple effect for years to come.
