Sparkill, N.Y. - On Tuesday, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced its 2023 ITA Division II Men's and Women's Tennis National Award recipients. Every year the ITA recognizes coaches and players for their excellence on the court throughout the season. 

The Division II Playing Awards include: Wilson ITA Coach of the Year, ITA Assistant Coach of the Year, Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship, ITA Rookie of the Year, ITA Most Improved Senior and ITA Senior Player of the Year.

Associate Head Coach George (Neil) Tarangioli was named the 2023 ITA Men's Tennis National Assistant Coach of the Year. Serving the world of college tennis for over 40 years, Tarangioli is a counselor, a guide, a teacher, a humble gentleman, and a dear friend to everyone around him. In 2023, the Spartans finished the year with a record of 17-3 and have been ranked within the Top 30 of the ITA Rankings in just Tarangioli’s second year with the program. Reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament as well, Tarangioli has left a lasting impact to the St. Thomas Aquinas program through his never-ending energy and knowledge of the game. Coach Tarangioli has dedicated himself to college tennis for a lifetime and has earned the respect and gratitude from all of the players and coaches who have worked alongside him.

Tarangioli was elevated to Associate Head Coach for the 2022-2023 season and has been instrumental in providing important tennis instruction and pre-match preparation for both the St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's and Women's Tennis programs. His hard work and dedication to the sport has helped countless numbers of tennis athletes improve their play at both STAC and his previous institution, Concordia College. Tarangioli's knowledge of the game and intensity for wanting to win, combined with the coaching expertise and passion of Head Coach Dan Rockhill, led St. Thomas Aquinas to both ECC Regular Season and Tournament titles for the women's team, an ECC Regular Season crown and finals appearance for the men's squad, both programs advancing to the NCAA Division II East Regional and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance by the Lady Spartans.

ITA Division II Men's Tennis National Awards