Burton Receives Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award

ITA Release/Award Winners

Liberty men's tennis junior Chase Burton has earned the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)/Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award.

The award recognizes individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level and dates back to 1982. It honors men's and women's players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. Burton is one of only 10 Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award recipients at the NCAA Division I men's tennis level and the only honoree from the Atlantic Region.

"Chase is an excellent ambassador for Liberty University and its mission to train champions for Christ. He is consistent, passionate and has an engaging personality," said Liberty Men's Tennis Head Coach Derek Schwandt. "He is a spiritual leader for our team, and he has grown tremendously as a servant-minded, team-first athlete."

Burton is the first Liberty men's tennis player to receive the honor. He just completed his junior season for the Flames, this spring, earning ASUN Men's Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognition while serving as a team captain. The Naples, Fla., native won 19 singles matches and 15 doubles bouts during the 2018-19 campaign.

Burton has served as a team captain each of the last two seasons and carries a 3.91 GPA as a business administration major.

Over his three-year career with Liberty, Burton has totaled 60 singles wins to go along with 43 doubles victories. His 60 career singles wins place him 10th in program history. Burton is a two-time all-conference selection (Big South in 2017 and 2018) and a two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete.

In order to be considered for the award, the nominee must be a junior or a senior who has been enrolled at his/her school at least one full year prior to the present school year and be recommended by his/her coach.