News

WAYNE, NJ — Elisha Hande, a senior on the North Carolina State woman’s tennis team, has been selected as a recipient of the Haier Achievement Award presented to deserving student-athletes for their accomplishments beyond sports. The announcement of the first of eight Haier Achievement Awards being presented this year was made by John Homlish, senior vice president, Digital Living Business Unit for Haier America, one of the world’s leading television and appliance manufacturers, and Doug Vance, Executive Director of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

“This program creates a platform that helps bring to light those student-athletes who are reaching incredible heights in their non-athletic endeavors and serving as role models for all young people,” said Homlish. “Through the Haier Achievement Award program, we are excited to recognize inspiring student-athletes like Elisha to further motivate other young people to achieve and succeed beyond their chosen sport. We commend Elisha for all she has accomplished.”

A native of Cheltenham, England, Hande is a three-year letterwinner on the women’s tennis team and maintains a 4.0 GPA with a major in economics and a minor in German. She was a finalist for the 2014 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award, and received the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) community service award in 2012 and 2013 for her work in the planning and organization of the Winter Chill Special Olympics Tennis Tournament for special needs athletes in the Raleigh area. She serves as a mentor at A.B. Combs Elementary School in Raleigh and is a guest speaker at St. Timothy’s Middle School. Elisha is also involved with community outreach through Athletes in Action, and regularly works at a local homeless shelter.

“Coming to NC State has provided a wealth of opportunities for me on and off the court, and I am honored to be recognized for this award. I’m glad that I was able to make the most of my opportunities by reaching out to people in the community, especially children, and representing my team, fellow student-athletes and my university any way I can,” Hande said.

Haier will officially recognize Hande with a plaque and certificate at an upcoming ceremony. In addition, Haier will donate $2,000 to the NC State general scholarship fund and award a Haier 48-inch LED HD television to the school’s athletic department.

Student-athletes from all sports, all schools, and all divisions are eligible for the Haier Achievement Award. Members of CoSIDA and fans can nominate student-athletes through December 31, 2014, at achieve.haieramerica.com. Haier will announce eight (8) honorees throughout the year and in mid-March invite fans to vote online for the Haier Ultimate Achievement Award winner. The winner will earn his/her school a $5,000 donation to the general scholarship fund and a Haier 40-inch LED HD television. Additionally, all fans who vote will be entered into a drawing to win a Haier 48-inch LED HD TV.