SKILLMAN, N.J. - The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced on Thursday (Nov. 20) that Drake head men's tennis coach Chase Hodges has been named as the Missouri Valley sectional recipient of the USTA/ITA Campus Recreation Award. The award honors an ITA coach who has done an outstanding job implementing the USTA's Tennis On Campus program or similar recreational tennis programs on campus in an effort to grow tennis participation within the campus community.

This marks the second time Hodges has been honored with the award after being tabbed the Missouri Valley sectional recipient in 2006.

"“It is an honor to receive this award again,” Hodges commented.  “I'm very proud of the efforts that have been made to promote tennis on campus at Drake University.  My goal is to continue to grow the game as much as possible.”

Drake looks to begin title defense of its 2008 Missouri Valley Conference crown when the Bulldogs open up their spring campaign on Jan. 31, 2009 against Louisville at ITA National Team Indoor Championships in Knoxville, Tenn.

USTA/ITA Campus Recreation Award ? Sectional Winners:
Honors an ITA coach who has done an outstanding job implementing recreational tennis programs on campus in an effort to grow tennis participation.
 
Florida ? Bill Macom, Florida Institute of Technology
Intermountain ? Michael Phillips, Montana State University
Mid-Atlantic ? Marc Walters, West Virginia University
Missouri Valley ? Chase Hodges, Drake University
New England ? Chris Davis, Smith College
Texas ? John Peterson, Tyler Jr. College