NEW YORK — LSU women’s tennis player Megan Falcon and former LSU men’s tennis player Danny Bryan will be honored by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and United States Tennis Association this weekend at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Bryan will be honored for receiving the ITA/Arthur Ashe Jr. Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship. Falcon, who will not be able to make the trip to New York, is being acknowledged for being named to the ITA All-Star team.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized for this award,” Bryan said. “It should be a great time in New York. It will be nice to experience the U.S. Open. I am really looking forward to it.”
Bryan will be recognized during a luncheon on Saturday, in the USTA President’s Suite during Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day. Bryan and the other honorees will have a behind-the-scenes tour of the US Open facilities as well as a private reception in New York City that evening.
Bryan, who was named the LSU Male Athlete Volunteer of the Year, has participated in numerous community service projects.
During Christmas, Bryan spearheaded a toy drive where he and his teammates raised money to get a local underprivileged child clothes and toys for Christmas. He participated in “Jump Rope for Heart,” an event that raises money in the community for heart disease and stroke, which are America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers. Bryan helped fourth graders at the school on the jump rope skills station. He explained the different jumps and helped the students record their numbers. Bryan has made a number of visits to children hospitals where he visited the children to cheer them up while they were in the hospital. He spoke with the children, signed autographs and passed out LSU temporary tattoos.
Falcon finished this past season ranked No. 2 in singles, which is the highest ranking in school history, after compiling an outstanding 38-3 record. The SEC Player of the Year participated in the singles and doubles tournament at the Pan American Games. Falcon along with partner Audra Cohen reached the doubles semifinals.
Falcon and the rest of the Lady Tigers will begin preparation for the 2008 season on Wednesday.