Each year 10 national winners of the NJTL Arthur Ashe Essay Contest (aged 10-18) receive an all-expense paid weekend to New York City to be guests at Arthur Ashe Kids' Day and are honored at an awards luncheon at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosted by David Dinkins, the 106th Mayor of New York City and USTA Board Liaison to the NJTL Committee. The Arthur Ashe Essay Contest is a national essay contest asking entrants to answer the question, "How do you exemplify the ideals of Arthur Ashe?"
In 1999, a young man named Blake Strode was named one the national recipients of the Arthur Ashe Essay and Art Contest as a member of NJTL at the age of 12. Now, 10 years later, it was no surprise that Blake was named the Central Region Men’s ITA/Arthur Ashe Award winner in 2008 while being selected as the National ITA/Arthur Ashe Award winner for Sportsmanship and Leadership this past season.
The ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. In August, the national winners are honored during a special ceremony hosted by the USTA during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day inside Ashe Stadium. This award, which dates back to 1984, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JuCo men's and women's players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Blake has always believed that Community Service is profoundly important not only for the betterment of society but for his own personal development, as well. While balancing his academics and athletics, he has also been involved in activities that allow him to give back to his community wherever possible (through such programs as Razorbacks for Christmas, Lift up America and Sweat Hogs & Book Hogs).
Raised in St. Louis, Strode went on to become a four-year letterman, state champion, a high school All-American and was ranked as high as 18th in the USTA boys’ 18s. He served as a three-time captain of his team for Coach Jeff Grass before attending the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2005, where he made a big splash early in his Razorback career, advancing to the semifinals of the ITA Central Region Championships.
Through his continued hard work and dedication, Blake put together an illustrious career amassing nearly 100 career singles wins and a ranking as high as No. 13 in the Campbell/ITA College Tennis Rankings. As a senior, Strode reached the quarterfinals of the ITA All-American in October, qualifying him for the ITA National Indoor, as well, where he reached the round of 32. At the All-American, Strode posted wins over Bryan Koniecko of Ohio State and Arnau Brugues of Tulsa, both who were ranked No. 1 in 2009. In the quarters, Strode lost to eventual champion Michael Venus of LSU, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. In Blake’s most impressive outing, he made it to the semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championship before falling to eventual champion, Devin Britton of Mississippi.
However, Blake’s accolades extend far off of the tennis court and into the classroom and community, where he showcased a cumulative GPA of 3.976 and his acceptance into Harvard Law School.
Strode’s drive to succeed in every area of his life has led to two CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, a runner-up finish for the Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, three All-SEC honors and three ESPN The Magazine all-district honors. He was the 2008 SEC Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year and is a multiple-time member of the Arkansas Athletics Department and SEC Academic honor rolls. Strode was also selected to represent his university as a finalist for the SEC’s H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete Award.
Strode’s recent acceptance into Harvard Law School has been placed on hold for the moment as he he plans to play a year of professional tennis to see how successful he can be, and he already won his first USTA Pro Circuit tournament at the 2009 Millennium Tennis Club $10,000 Men's Futures in Joplin, Mo.
No matter what Blake intends on doing next, he is sure to be a role model for the next life of NJTL Arthur Ashe Contest winners.
Courtesy Intercollegiate Tennis Association