Downers Grove South graduate Rahul Kamath’s dominance on the tennis court was just a small part of his overall excellence.

The long list of honors on and off the tennis court grew Monday for Kamath, as the Illinois High School Association named him one of seven statewide recipients of its 2009 Do What's Right! Sportspersons of the Year.

“Rahul's an overall well-rounded student-athlete, gifted in academics and athletics and a fierce competitor," Downers South coach Pete Freischlag said of Kamath, who is now a freshman at the University of Illinois.

“Being named an IHSA Sportsperson of the Year is a tremendous honor, as these seven individuals represent some of the best and brightest in the state,” said Beth Sauser, IHSA assistant executive director. “One of the IHSA's missions is to produce better citizens through involvement in high school sports and activities. These young people are living proof of that ideal and exemplary role models for the students that will follow them at their respective high schools.”

Applicants were judged by a committee of IHSA staff members based on letters of recommendation highlighting their leadership skills and sportsmanship, participation in sports and activities, academic performance, application essays and overall involvement in their school and community.

The award seemed custom made for Kamath, who teamed with Brian Sorich to place fifth in the state in doubles last year.

Kamath earned an even bigger tennis honor earlier this year, as he received the Tom Pitchford Award for his ability, sportsmanship and off-court accomplishments.

Off the court, Kamath displayed everything from academic excellence as an Illinois State Scholar to elite musical talent.

As a first-chair violist, Kamath was actively involved in the local music community as a member of the Illinois Music Educator's Association, Youth Symphony of DuPage and Downers Grove South Symphonic Orchestra.

His abilities earned him the Charles Dickerman Music Scholarship presented annually by the Downers Grove Rotary Club. The $2,000 prize is in memory of a founding member of the club, a nuclear physicist at Argonne National Laboratory and a lifelong musician.

Kamath also volunteered at the Good Samaritan Hospital and was the Wendy's High School Heisman winner for the state of Illinois in 2008.

In all, Kamath did little wrong to earn the prestigious Do What’s Right! honor.

“His maturity and world perspective are years above his peers,” Downers South guidance counselor Keri Apkang said. “He is an outgoing, diligent, and reliable young man whose motivation does not allow for anything but his best effort.”

Each winner will receive a plaque and a $500 dollar scholarship during the Illinois Principals Association conference in October. All seven winners were seniors in 2008-09.