Jenkins Receives McKevlin Award as ACC's Top Male Athlete

Story Links

July 30, 2013

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Virginia senior tennis player Jarmere Jenkins (College Park, Ga.) was named as the 2013 recipient of the Anthony J. McKevlin Award, given annually to the top male athlete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Jenkins is the fifth Virginia athlete to receive the honor and the first since 2003.

The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA) votes on the McKevlin Award, as well as the Mary Garber Award for the top female athlete in the ACC, given this year to North Carolina women’s soccer player Crystal Dunn.

Jenkins is the fifth Cavalier to receive the McKevlin Award. He joins football star Frank Quayle (1969), basketball legends Barry Parkhill (1972) and Ralph Sampson (1983) and lacrosse standout Chris Rotelli (2003).

With the award, Jenkins joins a group of honorees that includes four Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers, seven No. 1 overall NBA draft picks, four College Football Hall of Famers, two No. 1 overall MLB draft picks and one Heisman Trophy winner.

“Receiving the McKevlin Award is a little overwhelming at first when you look at the list of previous winners,” said Jenkins. “To join a group that includes so many great names, especially the ones that went on to become stars in the NFL and NBA, is a tremendous honor. I am going to share this prestigious award with my family, teammates and coaches who have helped me have an unbelievable four years at the University of Virginia.”

Jenkins, who was the 2013 ITA National Player of the Year, ended the season ranked No. 1 in the ITA singles rankings and was the 2013 NCAA singles runner-up. He posted a 42-6 singles record during his senior season, including winning the 2012 ITA Indoor Intercollegiate Championship title in the fall.

He was named NCAA Tournament MVP as the Cavaliers won their first team championship in May. The 2013 ITA/Farnsworth National Senior Player of the Year, Jenkins ended his collegiate career by winning the 2013 NCAA Doubles Championship with Mac Styslinger (Birmingham, Ala.).

Jenkins is the first athlete in the 60-year history of the award to be honored solely for his accomplishments on the tennis courts. The only previous tennis player to receive the award was Maryland’s John Lucas in 1976, who was an All-American in both basketball and tennis that year.

“It is a remarkable accomplishment for Jarmere,” said head coach Brian Boland. “I am happy for him and he is extremely deserving of the award. It is a reflection of not only the hard work he put into his career at the University of Virginia, but it is truly a testament to the hard work of everyone in this program. I believe it is also a tremendous honor for the sport of tennis. The ACC is unbelievably strong in numerous sports, so for a tennis player to win this award is something our sport as a whole can take pride in.”

ANTHONY. J. McKEVLIN AWARD WINNERS

Jarmere JenkinsVirginiaTennis