Notre Dame men’s tennis standout wins ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award

The original article was shared by Fighting Irish Media.

The ITA Division I National Award Winners were announced last month as eight individuals on the men’s side earned the organization’s top end-of-season awards. Among those student-athletes was none other than Notre Dame men’s tennis standout Sebastian Dominko. 

The new ND graduate took home the national ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award, which honors a DI men’s student athlete who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics, and has had outstanding playing accomplishments. The award was established in 1969 in memory of Rafael Osuna. 

“We couldn’t be more proud to see Sebastian win this prestigious award,” Notre Dame head coach Ryan Sachire stated. “Throughout his four-year career at Notre Dame, Sebastian embodied what it meant to be an elite student-athlete and representative of our University. He excelled on the court and in the classroom and, throughout it all, was an incredible leader, teammate, and sportsman. 

“To be chosen as the national winner of the Rafael Osuna award, by a panel of coaches from across the country, shows the level of respect that Sebastian earned throughout the college tennis world for all that he accomplished and how he carried himself along the way.”

One of the most storied players in Notre Dame history, Dominko has been a leader both on and off the court for the Fighting Irish. Being named a three-time All-American, 2025 ACC Player of the Year, and an eight-time All-ACC selection, Dominko is in the top five in Notre Dame history in career wins at the No. 1 singles and doubles positions.

This year, Dominko was selected as the recipient of the Byron V. Kanaley Award, which is awarded to “the most exemplary embodiment of what it means to be a student-athlete – showing outstanding excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership.” In addition to his on-court achievements, Dominko also volunteers in the South Bend community and often mentors junior players who play tennis at the Notre Dame facility throughout the week.

Furthermore, the three-time All-American finished with 85 singles wins, 71 doubles victories, and was the first seven-time NCAA Individual Championship (singles & doubles) qualifier in the history of the program.

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Sebastian Dominko has made the most of his Notre Dame experience and represents what a Notre Dame student-athlete can be. Gifts to the Rockne Athletics Fund make the Notre Dame student-athlete experience possible, helping give the young men and women of the Fighting Irish opportunities to grow as competitors, scholars, and people.