Wingate University Team Page

Skillman, N.J.----Wingate University senior Matthew Lichtenstein (Darnestown, Md.) is an ITA Scholar-Athlete, as recognized by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. In June, Lichtenstein was named to the Capital One Academic All-America® at-large third team. In order to achieve ITA Scholar-Athlete status, a player must meet the following criteria: 1.) be a varsity letter winner, 2.) have a grade point average of at least 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) for the previous academic year and 3.) have been enrolled at their present institution for at least two semesters (including freshman thorough senior year).

Lichtenstein achieved an athletic/academic double-double, as he earned All-South Atlantic Conference laurels for the third year in a row. On the courts, he compiled a 10-2 record in singles this year. He was 7-0 overall at the number three singles position. “Matt continues to impress,” Wingate head coach Michael Cabana says. “It is great for him to be recognized by the ITA for his academic achievements. He has had a great career at Wingate and this is icing on the cake for him.”

Thanks to the efforts of Lichtenstein and his teammates, the Bulldogs won the Food Lion SAC tournament for the first time in school history this season. As a result, Wingate received an automatic qualification to the NCAA Division II post-season tournament. The Bulldogs earned their first-ever NCAA post-season victory, defeating Mount Olive in the Southeast Regional tournament opening round.

Wingate’s team MVP as a freshman, Lichtenstein received the prestigious Bulldog Club Spirit Award at the University’s April athletic awards ceremony. He was 51-16 overall during his four-year singles career. In the classroom, Lichtenstein has a 3.78 GPA as a History major. He graduated with honors during Wingate’s May Commencement Exercises.

Long recognized as one of the best organized collegiate sports associations, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association is a non-profit service organization. The governing body of collegiate tennis in the United States, the ITA administers a comprehensive calendar of tournaments and events and a far-reaching awards program. The goal of the ITA is to improve the level of intercollegiate tennis competition and the quality of college tennis coaching.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Wingate University, ranked as the eighth “best value” in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 2,500 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy and education. With a 14-to-1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life.

In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past six years.

Wingate is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 50 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 59 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.