Wayne State University Athletics

Bob Hartwick (left) and Niklas Karcz received ITA Midwest Region Awards.

Men's Tennis 5/31/2023 10:09:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Karcz and Hartwick Recognized By ITA

ITA -- Two members of the Wayne State University men's tennis program were recognized with ITA Regional Awards announced yesterday by the organization.

Warrior graduate student Niklas Karcz (Bottrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany) was the Midwest Region recipient of the Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award which recognizes outstanding student-athletes in all five divisions (NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO) at the regional and national level. This prestigious award, which dates back to 1982, is presented to the men's and women's national student-athletes who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements in ways that embody the legacy of tennis icon and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr.

On the court, Karcz is the program leader in both career singles (104) and doubles (86) wins. His 104 singles triumphs are 33 more than any other player at WSU, while his 86 doubles victories are 13 more than anyone else. In his six years at WSU, Karcz earned a bachelor's degree in Management and an MBA - he had a COVID year in 2019-20 and opted-out in 2020-21.

Karcz was voted to the All-GLIAC First Team all four years (2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023) and was the GLIAC Player of the Year in 2019 as well as the ITA Midwest Region Player to Watch.

A GLIAC Commissioner's Award recipient for outstanding athletic and academic achievement in 2020, he was a five-year GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team honoree.

In terms of extracurricular activities, Karcz has shown exceptional leadership in the area of giving back, setting an example for others on the team. He has posted 233 hours of community service, primarily in the categories of children and youth, civic and community, and education. This school year, he has shown exceptional leadership by coaching youth tennis at the Peachtree Tennis Club, by helping donate Christmas presents during the holiday season, and by assisting with games at the WSU farmer's market. He also was involved in Detroit Lions' player Frank Ragnow and his gala event for his Rags Remembered foundation, which helps create
meaningful and outdoor experiences for grieving families and financially disadvantaged youth.

Hartwick was selected ITA Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season after helping the Warriors to their second straight top-five national finish. In 2022, WSU advanced to the national championship match before falling to Barry, while in 2023 Wayne State again lost to Barry, this time in the national quarterfinals.

Last month, the Warriors won the GLIAC Tournament title, then claimed a Midwest Regional title to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for only the second time in program history (2022 and 2023). Hartwick has helped mentor three GLIAC Players of the Year (Karcz in 2019, Dom Spicer in 2022 and Cedric Drenth in 2023).

Wayne State has compiled a 101-44 record during Hartwick's time as an assistant coach, playing arguably one of the toughest schedules in the nation year-in and year-out.

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Players Mentioned

Cedric Drenth: 6' 3"; Sophomore

Niklas Karcz: 5' 11"; Graduate Student

Dom Spicer: 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Cedric Drenth
: 6' 3"; Sophomore

Niklas Karcz
: 5' 11"; Graduate Student

Dom Spicer
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Junior