Charoensirisutthikul, Ferreira Receive ITA South Awards

Gainesville, Ga.- The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) recognized Brenau tennis player Peeraya Charoensirisutthikul and head coach Andre Ferreira as 2020 South Regional Award winners for their outstanding contributions to leadership, sportsmanship, and community service.

Charoensirisutthikul, a junior from Pathumthani, Thailand, was named as the 2020 Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship winner for the South region, while Ferreira received the 2020 ITA Coaches' Community Service award.

The Arthur Ashe award is presented to men's and women's student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements in ways that embody the legacy of tennis icon and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr.

"Peeraya is the kind of student-athlete that every coach wants on their team and her contributions to our program go beyond the tennis court," said Ferreira. "As a teammate, she practices with purpose and guides her teammates if they need assistance. As a servant leader, she leads by example, treats her teammates and opponents with respect and puts her team and teammates first. And as a volunteer, she teaches lessons to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, helps at the local Boys and Girls Club, and as an accounting major, she assists low income families to file their taxes."

"We are a better program and I am a better tennis coach because of her presence, her character and values."

Ferreira, who is also the Brenau athletics Champions of Character liaison, is a consistent presence when working with the community. Among his team's projects was the Special Pops Tennis Clinic, which teaches tennis to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

"This is a great reflection on the type of tennis program that Coach Ferreira runs," Athletics Director Mike Lochstampfor said. "Both Andre and his team - with players like Peeraya leading the way- are very active in the community, believe strongly in giving back, and I can't think of any more deserving of this recognition. I am very proud of both!"

For more information about the ITA awards, click here.