Kinshuk Sharma
Background
-Member of men's team from 2008-2011
-Ranks first all-time in singles victories
-Ranks second all-time in doubles victories
-Only player in school history to be nationally ranked in doubles with two different partners
-All-CAA performer in singles and doubles
-Single season record holder with 21 victories
-Member of two CAA Championship teams
Testimonial:
"It feels so weird to write an alumni testimonial. I honestly don't feel I've graduated from the program yet. I still feel part of the team and constantly follow the team's schedule. I still feel the rush on match day and I still feel that I have to board a flight to Wilmington on Aug. 14 and Jan. 3 each year to start a new year/season. And now I feel I am back to my "Good Karma With Sharma" ways writing for the UNCWsports.com men's tennis page. Once a Seahawk, ALWAYS A SEAHAWK!!
Though I graduated from UNCW in June of 2011, I felt more sadness after the last dual match I played. After graduation, I came back to my home country of India, took my GMAT, and have been working with India's Largest Education Industry Company since then. What next? I am still figuring it out, but I know whatever it will be, I'm doing to be the best in it. I still burn with enough intensity to light the world on fire, THE SEAHAWK STYLE. Thanks Coach!!
My experiences at UNCW were beyond great and I cannot give them justice by writing a brief testimonial. What I will do, though, is tell you what UNCW men's tennis has taught me. The UNCW men's tennis team, under the leadership of Coach Mait DuBois, taught me much more than just tennis. The team taught me how to be a human first and then be good at it, how to dream big, stay patient, hang in there, and not to compromise for anything but the best. The team also taught me how to give my all in whatever I undertake , even if it is just competing for a pair of socks (a tradition the team has that anything you are given you have to compete for). For me, UNCW men's tennis was not a university team. It was/is/will be a family. A family that gave me memories I'll always cherish.
Coach always stressed character. After going through the whole track workout, he made us run one last 400m under 67 seconds. After three-hour practice session he made us hit 1 for 1 first serves to escape dirty dozens at the finishing stages of an intense and competitive "pushing the box" race. Assistant Coach Taylor Vaughn called me out on the fact that I ran the last stretch short (I ran till the line). I honestly hated those moments at that point, but today I understand their importance. It was never about the fitness, the tennis or the race, it was always about character. It was about how we responded to it. I never saw it then but the coaches did. In my junior year, Coach threw last second challenges at us where we never really knew what to expect, he called them "curve balls." After awhile we got used to it and everybody handled those challenges better. Then when unexpected things did come up, everyone always felt prepared to handle it. Though my career path has thrown me a little "curve-ball" at me, I feel I am in a much better position to face it because of the coaches who taught me how to stay strong. I went into the team as a boy, but I graduated as a man, all thanks to my team.
I even learned the name and artist of one English song in the "name the tune on the radio" game. It was my only point in four years. YOUNG MONEY it is!! So proud of myself!!
On a serious note, I am very grateful for what the UNCW men's tennis program has done for me. The time I spent there was the GREATEST TIME OF MY LIFE by far. The time spent with the coaches, the team, during the home matches, away matches, offseason!! If the NCAA ever makes where I can be a college athlete again, I would love to live those four years again at UNCW. Seahawk Forever!!
GO HAWKS!!"
Coach DuBois On Kinshuk Sharma:
"Kinshuk was my first recruit after starting as the head coach at UNCW. I knew I was getting a good tennis player, but his character is what I will always remember about him. He is easily the most enthusiastic person I have ever met, no matter what he is doing. I remember he was smiling when I met him for the first time and he never stopped the four years he was with us. There are so few people that take advantage of every aspect that being a student-athlete has to offer. Kinshuk took advantage of everything and may have even invented a few. He even starred in the athletics talent show one year and brought down the house with his dance moves.
I will always remember a match he played in the semifinals of the CAA Tournament. He clinched the deciding match in a long three-set match where they played so long that his legs and hands were cramping. His opponent from Georgia State was playing an exceptional match and the quality of tennis was unbelievable. Even though he could barely move or hold the racquet I knew there was no way he would lose. It was a truly impressive display of character and the passion he had for our team.
I am very lucky to have spent four years with Kinshuk and I am positive that I learned more from him than I could of ever taught him. He will always be a close friend of mine and to our tennis team."
