GILBERT, Ariz. -- The Bates men's tennis program has been recognized for their success in the classroom, as announced Wednesday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The Bobcats were named an NCAA Division III ITA All-Academic Team, while nine individuals earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors.
To be named an ITA All-Academic team, a team must achieve a grade point average of 3.2 or above (on a 4.00 scale). To be named an ITA Scholar-Athlete, one must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year.
Nine Bobcats reached that threshold this year, with
Russell Judge '27 (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), team captain
Theo Sardain '26 (Dedham, Mass.), team captain
Eli Criss '25 (Winchester, Mass.),
Alex Park '27 (Dallas, Texas), team captain
Ben Adey '25 (Falmouth, Maine),
Phillippe Kosyagin '27 (Las Vegas, Nev.),
Tylan Ozkuzey '28 (Montclair, N.J.),
Eric Diop '28 (Boston), and
Austin Shim '28 (Bellevue, Wash.) all being named ITA Scholar-Athletes.
Judge, Sardain, Criss, Park, and Kosyagin are all repeat honorees, while Adey finishes his Bates career as a four-time ITA Scholar-Athlete.
"Our athletes' ability to excel in the classroom while putting in countless hours competing and practicing on the court and in the gym is so impressive," head coach
Paul Gastonguay '89 said. "They are focused and dedicated to be their best in everything they do. I'm proud to be their coach!"
Within the sport of tennis, student-athletes continue to exceed expectations in the classroom and on the court. In 2025, 1,115 Division III men's student-athletes were named an ITA Scholar-Athlete, and 135 men's tennis programs were awarded the All-Academic Team distinction.
The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is the governing body of college tennis, overseeing men's and women's varsity tennis at all levels – NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community College.
