The prestigious Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship award, which dates back to 1982, 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.
A letter from Kansas Wesleyan Men's Tennis Head Coach, Josh Molino
“Start where you are. Use What you have. Do what you can.” -Arthur Ashe
In my 4 years of getting to know Shingi Chingaya, this young man has blossomed into not only a great person and great leader but a great friend. He is trustworthy, he is kind, he is the light of the room, he is the son I don’t have yet, he is the face of the generation that will lead us into a society where we are all viewed equally.
Shingi is the hardest worker in the room, he is the guy who will give you the shirt off his back and take time to help you complete your goals or tasks even when his aren’t finished. He is the champion of character that we all talk about as coaches.
The above quote from the late great Arthur Ashe applies in so many ways to Shingi. A kid from Wylie, Texas, not highly recruited takes a leap of faith on a small program from central Kansas. Knowing not one person, he develops into a leader, a president, a KING not just on campus but in our small community of Salina.
He helps clinch the biggest win in school history over rival Bethany, gets named team captain, and becomes the president of the Multicultural Club, and wins Homecoming King. Little does he know he is at the forefront of a huge piece of African American history in the United States, as civil unrest and police brutality take shape in the mainstream media.
What does he do? He uses his voice on campus to bring us closer, not to divide us. He sets an example for these 18-22-year-old men and women and challenges them to change the narrative. For everyone to become better people, regardless of color or race. Let’s become a better society as a whole. He organizes meetings, events, and helps educate on how, and why this is happening and how we can all make a difference. Oh and by the way handling all of this while having a full schedule of nursing practicals, class, tennis practice, and matches.
In March of 2021, we started a new fundraiser called the Hometown Sponsor doubles tournament. It's where members of the community donate to our program to pair up with a player from the team and play in round-robin. We had people from all over central Kansas outbidding each other to play with Shingi, and he helped raise over 2,000 dollars in one single event. It wasn’t because he is the best or most talented but because he has a presence that all people want to be around. A guy who just draws people in and makes them feel great about themselves.
We are so lucky to have had Shingi as part of our program and university. He has made an impact on me as a person and coach, our administration and the local community.
I go back to the quote. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
Started in Wylie, Texas and moved to Salina, Kansas, utilized a platform and a scholarship to educate and lead, and now will continue to make an impact helping and saving lives as a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at Salina Regional Health Center. Congratulations and Thank You Shingi.