Ruckus Has Record Numbers

Over 400 teams with 1600 plus players joined us for the 2003 Roundball Ruckus sponsored by Coca-Cola, Whataburger, SBC, Frost Bank, Security Service Federal Credit Union, News 4 WOAI, WOAI 1200, KSJL, and The Ticket 760.

It was a delight to drive by the Alamodome parking lots and see the players and their respective spectators lining the courts. What one could most appreciate were the “fit bodies” playing such a wholesome sport. Thanks to the good sports! Sportsmanship was at its best, and the entire event was a huge success.

This event, just as the many other successful Sports Foundation ventures, could not be possible without hundreds of dedicated staff and volunteers hours. My hats off to those responsible once again.

In an effort to improve Roundball Ruckus for the participants, an advisory committee will be formed to answer a host of pending questions: site and date selection, ease in registration and packet pickup and cost effectiveness. If you have comments or suggestions, feel free to email Bill Hanson at bhanson@sanantoniosports.org.



sblackwood@sanantoniosports.org

DFY Gymnastics and Fencing Competition

The Sports Foundation's Dreams for Youth program will host gymnastics and fencing tournaments this month and invites the public to see first-hand its young athletes in action.

The Dreams for Youth Gymnastics Invitational takes place Saturday, May 10, at 9:15 a.m. at the Dreams for Youth gymnasium, 300 San Pedro Avenue. The competition features young athletes who participate in Dreams for Youth programs at area schools, community centers and the DFY gym. They range in age from preschoolers to high school athletes.

On May 31-June 1, the Sports Foundation invites beginner fencers to participate in a Regional Youth Circuit Tournament at Palo Alto College. The tournament is designed to give beginning fencers from the age of eight an opportunity to experience competition in order to prepare them for advanced competitive tournaments.

For information about the gymnastics and fencing tournaments, please contact Alma Striker at 210-820-2113 or astriker@sanantoniosports.org.

Gymnast Gets on the Right Track

When Jennifer Culp began taking gymnastics lessons with the Dreams for Youth program two years ago, she had a tough time. Her skills were fine, but her attitude was not. "She was mean and mad all the time, and people told me that she was going nowhere," says Jennifer's mother, Ann Culp. "Now, it is a world of difference. She is flourishing!"

After her disruptive behavior forced Dreams for Youth coaches to drop her from the program, Jennifer watched her sisters and brother continue to compete. The 10-year-old Southside Elementary student soon realized that she missed her gymnastics classes. She talked with Dreams for Youth coach Sharon Martinez and wrote an apology letter and an essay explaining why the program is so important to her.

"Jennifer has completely turned her attitude around," says Coach Sharon who accepted her apology and welcomed her back. "Everything about her has improved. I know she will accomplish anything that she wants, and I'm glad we had something to do with it." Jennifer, whose school grades and attendance have also improved, says "I'm not that person anymore. When I grow up, I want to be like Coach Sharon and run a gym for kids."

Jennifer will compete in this weekend's Dreams for Youth Gymnastics Invitational tournament. Come cheer her on!

In addition to recognizing our sponsors and volunteers in this section, Sidelines will occasionally profile one of the Sports Foundation's staff members. We want you to get to know the dedicated men and women who make this organization a success.

Bill Hanson, Associate Executive Director, Operations, is the Sports Foundation's logistics guru. Whether we're bidding on events or staging them, Bill is the guy who executes the details. His experience includes managing logistics for organizations as diverse as professional soccer teams, U.S. Modern Pentathlon, and the 1984 and 1996 Olympic Games. Just last weekend, Bill oversaw Roundball Ruckus and once again, delivered a terrific event.


In his own words...

First job in sports: "When I was in the Army stationed at Ft. Sam Houston, I was the athletic trainer for U.S. Modern Pentathlon."

Greatest sports experience: "Being a part of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Serving as a sport manager for modern pentathlon and organizing several thousand athletes and volunteers was a special experience."

Something people don't know about me: "I'm a died-in-the-wool Yankee from Vermont."

Why I do what I do: "I've always enjoyed my work, and I've been fortunate. No matter how tough the individual projects are, in the long run the work is always rewarding."

PRESENTING: City of San Antonio; SBC Communications Inc.

Platinum: Clear Visions, Inc.; IKON Office Solutions;
San Antonio Express-News

Gold: Adecco; Cavender Auto Family; Creative Link; The Dominion Country Club; HealthSouth; IntelliSolve Group, Inc.; Matthews & Branscomb; San Antonio Coca-Cola Bottling Co; San Antonio Spurs; Valero Energy Corporation; Whataburger

Silver: Michael and Pam Berlanga; Cingular Wireless; Maverick Video Production; NuMedia: Paladin IT Services; Mark Phariss; Methodist Children's Hospital; USAA Real Estate Company

Bronze: George Becknell; Bender & Associates; Chase Bank of Texas, N.A.; Clever Endeavors; Frost Bank; HMS Host Corporation; Institute of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases; Miner Corp.; Dr. David and Teresa Schmidt; Security Service Federal Credit Union; Southwest Business Corporation; Trinity University; Zachry Hospitality, Inc.

Champion: Bank of America, Cox & Smith, Inc.; Ear Medical Group; Grande Communications; Holiday Inn Select Airport; Lyda Builders, Inc; Momentum Sports Management; Racquetball & Fitness; Sterling Bank

All-Star: Block Distributing Company, Inc.; BudCo., Inc.; Catering by Don Strange; Contemporary Constructors, Inc.; Eichlitz, Dennis, Wray & Westheimer Agency, Inc.; Exposure, Inc.; Gallagher's Steak House; GLI, Inc.; Gunn Automotive Group; Initial Security; Marmon Mok; Metropolitan Contracting Co.; Padgett, Stratemann & Co.; Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers, Inc.; Soules & Wallace; ; Sterling Foods, Inc.; Tesoro Petroleum; Yantis Company

Grants/Foundations: Bexar County Health & Human Services CDBG; Bexar County Woman's Bar Foundation; Brown Foundation; Charity Ball Foundation; Coleman Foundation; Criminal Justice Division JJDP Grant; Criminal Justice Division Safe and Drug Free Schools Grant; Light Foundation; David & Betty Sachs Foundation; Salomon Smith Barney; Women’s Sports Foundation

Founding Sponsors: City of San Antonio; H-E-B; USAA Foundation, A Charitable Trust; Valero Energy Corporation

* Corporations listed in bold are new or recently renewing members.