ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award
Ryan Fishback from Virginia Tech has been named the 2023 ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner.
On the court, Fishback has consistently been one of the top players in the Virginia Tech lineup. He has a career high ITA ranking of No. 32 in singles and No. 4 in doubles. He has been an NCAA Doubles qualifier for three years and was a NCAA Singles qualifier this season. Fishback has been voted to the All-ACC Second Team the past two seasons and has been a leader on our team from the moment he walked onto campus.
Academically, Fishback has shined throughout his time at Virginia Tech. Pursuing a degree in Bio Chemistry, he has achieved a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. and has been awarded the Skelton Award which recognizes the best male at Virginia Tech for academic excellence, athletic ability and leadership. He was named Virginia SID Academic All State Team and has been named an ITA Scholar Athlete in 2021 and 2022.
Off the court, Fishback has been a volunteer in our Wheelchair Tennis Program, a member of our Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and is also a part of a group called Next Level Leadership.
A Letter From Head Coach Jim Thompson
Dear Ryan,
It is with great pride and joy that I write to congratulate you on winning the National Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship award! For me, there is no greater compliment than to be compared with Arthur Ashe. For the past three years, you have been an outstanding sportsman, whom all your opponents respect because you have the highest integrity on the court. You have been an amazing leader to your teammates, classmates, coaches, athletic staff, and everyone you have come in contact with as a Virginia Tech student. Your scholastic excellence comes from a tremendous pride in learning and I have been fortunate to watch you manage your time pursuing both your sport as well as your academics.
Arthur Ashe was not just a great tennis player! He is remembered for being an inspirational figure. I think it is fair to say that you are on a very similar path. Ashe once said, "True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." Your ability to be humble and so well grounded is such a remarkable quality and will serve you well throughout your life. As you pursue your degree in Medicine, I know you will always strive for excellence and achieve greatness by serving others.
Ashe explained, "One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation." One thing that I admire most about you is that I know you will always be prepared for every challenge. You put in the extra time to develop your tennis skills. You put in the extra time studying whenever we are traveling or missing classes. You deserve the confidence because you put in the work! I am extremely proud of you and appreciative of the example you set for everyone around you!
Again, congratulations on this amazing accomplishment.
Sincerely,
Jim Thompson