Natasha Subhash, an Indian American tennis player representing the University of Virginia, has been honored as the recipient of the prestigious 2023 ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, as announced by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association on June 12. This esteemed accolade, established in 1982, recognizes outstanding sportsmanship, leadership qualities, and achievements in academics, extracurricular activities, and tennis. Subhash’s tennis accomplishments are noteworthy, having been a three-time ITA Singles All-American, earning the honor in each of her first three seasons.
Hailing from a family of Indian immigrants, Subhash’s parents, Subhash Kongassery and Sulekha Subhash, migrated to the United States in 1997. Raised in Delhi, they settled in the Washington, DC area, where her mother is a middle school special education teacher and her father works as an IT professional.
Apart from her tennis prowess, Subhash holds a strong belief in helping others. During her formative years, she participated in a program called Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN), where she volunteered to run a monthly tennis clinic for children with physical and developmental disabilities. This experience fueled her passion for working with children and individuals with special needs, instilled in her by her mother’s dedication to special education.
Subhash’s dedication extends beyond the tennis court. She has been actively involved in community service, volunteering with Madison House’s Athletes Committed to Education (ACE) program as a tutor for elementary school students. Even during the pandemic, she sought out virtual opportunities to continue supporting underprivileged children and those for whom English is not their first language.
Academically, Subhash has excelled as a commerce major in the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, one of the top-ranked undergraduate business schools in the country. She is concentrating on accounting and management, with a track in global commerce. Her commitment to both athletics and academics has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being the first player in Virginia history to receive CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in the at-large category. She has also been voted UVA’s Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was the recipient of the prestigious Ralph Sampson Scholarship Award, which honors excellence in academics, leadership, and athletics among third-year student-athletes.
Subhash’s impact goes beyond her achievements. She is regarded as a leader, both on and off the court, and has served as a team captain for two seasons. Her teammates and coaches commend her empathetic nature, reliability, and determination to make a difference. Head Coach Sara O’leary expressed immense pride in Subhash’s accomplishments, highlighting her excellence as an athlete, student, and leader within the UVA community.
As Subhash continues to excel in her collegiate tennis career and pursue her master’s degree in accounting, her commitment to personal growth, sportsmanship, and community service serve as an inspiration. Her legacy as a Cavalier is a testament to her compassion, dedication, and the positive impact she has made on others.
Natasha Subhash’s achievements on the tennis court, academic excellence, and commitment to helping others have earned her the distinguished honor of the 2023 ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award. Her journey as an Indian American student-athlete serves as a beacon of inspiration and showcases the power of sportsmanship, leadership, and community involvement in shaping a well-rounded individual.
