University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa men’s tennis player Andre Ilagan was one of eight student-athletes who received the Big West conference’s annual Service and Leadership Award. The Big West has celebrated student-athletes with the Service and Leadership Award since the 2017–18 academic year. Award winners are selected at the discretion of each member-institution with criteria encompassing service, leadership and academics.
As a graduate student, Ilagan wrapped up his career as the most decorated player in UH Mānoa men’s tennis history. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance in spring 2022, and currently is pursuing a master’s degree from UH Mānoa. Ilagan also served with Lokahi Tennis, a non-profit organization, with a mission to grow and cultivate the sport of tennis while focusing on serving the community. Ilagan’s leadership skills were displayed throughout his career, and most notably as the team captain during 2022–23 with a relentless growth mindset.
In 2023, Ilagan became the first Rainbow Warrior to earn Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-America honors after advancing to round 16 in the NCAA Championship tournament. Ilagan was named Big West’s Player of the Year and won UH‘s Jack Bonham Award (UH‘s highest student-athlete honor) in 2022. He represented the Big West in the last two NCAA tournaments and was voted to the All-Big West first team for four years.
Each member-institution may submit one honoree per academic year who participated in a Big West sponsored sport and who engages consistently in service and leadership activities that impact the campus, community or regional levels. Awardees make the most of opportunities presented to them by taking on key roles and are innovative in seeking out meaningful service and leadership opportunities, while keeping their academic eligibility on their respective teams.
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