Vesa Ponkka (1996) - UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame

Vesa Ponkka

Induction:
1996

Vesa Ponkka capped off his outstanding collegiate career by receiving two of the most prestigious honors obtainable by an athlete.

He was named the 1990 NCAA Division II Tennis Player of the Year in a vote of coaches from across the nation. A four-time NCAA Division II All-American, Ponkka was a member of the doubles team which won the Division II National Doubles Championship held in Saint Louis. He was also the school's first male recipient of the Gulf South Conference Commissioner's Award, named annually to the top student-athlete in the conference. He won five GSC titles and twice won the Rolex Championship.