San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute

The San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute is February 15.  You still have time to reserve your spot, and you don't want to miss it!  There will be special presentations and very special mystery guests. This is your way to show your support of the many, many athletes who have performed to the highest level and also given back so much to this community. See the story below for details.  See you there!

Dr. Susan Blackwood
Executive Director

A.C.T. for San Antonio!  

A better quality of life for our community and our kids – that’s what’s at stake in the upcoming election to pass an extension of the Bexar County visitor tax that voters approved in 1999 to build the AT&T Center.  On Saturday May 10, voters will have the opportunity to approve four measures that would finance expansion and improvements for San Antonio River expansion and improvements ($125M), community arenas and rodeo grounds ($100M), performing arts and cultural facilities ($110M) and youth and amateur athletic complexes ($80).  The San Antonio Sports Foundation enthusiastically supports all four measures. 

Throughout our 24-year history, the Sports Foundation has advocated diligently for the development of quality athletic facilities for our citizens in all quadrants of the city, which would also provide venues to host economic-generating sporting events.  Approval of this measure would deliver 46 new soccer fields, 31 new baseball diamonds, 22 new softball diamonds, seven new football fields, three new tracks, plus a new cross-country course, fencing facility, basketball/volleyball tournament facility and a world-class outdoor swimming stadium.   In upcoming issues of Sidelines, we’ll profile these facilities and what they’ll mean for San Antonio and Bexar County. 

If you know of a civic organization that would like to hear a presentation on all aspects of this election, please contact Mary Ullmann Japhet at mjaphet@sanantonisoports.org or 210-820-2123.

Sports Foundation Member Discount for Envision08 

Envision08, a unique business conference hosted by Texas A&M University’s Center for New Ventures & Entrepreneurship will be held in San Antonio on April 23-25. The conference is offering Sports Foundation members and friends a $100 registration discount through February.  The conference features an impressive list of keynote speakers including Dr. Stephen Covey, author of the international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People along with business gurus Marcus Buckingham and Guy Kawasaki.  

“This is an incredible opportunity for San Antonians to hear fresh, inspiring ideas for entrepreneurial success from some of the greatest minds in business.  I encourage you to make the investment in your own success.” says Phil Miner, a Sports Foundation board member and member of the Aggie 100 list of successful entrepreneurs.

To learn more about Envison08, which will be held at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, visit www.envision08.com.  To claim your $100 San Antonio Sports Foundation discount, enter the code “invest” upon registration.  When asked who referred you, please type in “San Antonio Sports Foundation.”

Sports Hall of Fame Tribute to Induct Class of 2008

Five outstanding individuals will be inducted into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, Feb. 15 for their outstanding contributions to the sports community and ties to the Alamo City.  Always a top-rate affair, the Hall of Fame will honor Josh Davis, Lyle Blackwood, Jerry Comalander, Clyde Glossen and Clifford Johnson. 

Also being recognized are Gregg Popovich and Becky Hammon, San Antonio Express-News Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, and Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, recipient of the Sports Foundation's annual Salute Award.  Proceeds from the evening benefit the Sports Foundation’s youth initiatives, which serve more than 160,000 children annually.  To purchase tickets or a table, call Myrna Reyes at 820-2109 or visit SanAntonioSports.org/halloffame.

Tailgate Talk Scheduled for Members & Friends

Sports Foundation members and  their guests are invited our next Sports Foundation Tailgate Talk on Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Tomatillo’s Mexican Restaurant, 3210 Broadway.   The fun, networking event will feature a panel discussion about performance-enhancing drugs headlined by Olympian Frank Shorter.  Sports Foundation board member Dr. David Schmidt, president of Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, and David King, Olympic beat reporter for the San Antonio Express-News, are the other panelists.  Admission is free to Sports Foundation members and $10 for non-members. Reserve your place today by contacting Monica Robles at (210) 820-2121 or mrobles@sanantoniosports.org.

Shorter, who took gold in the 1972 Olympic marathon and silver in 1976, was chairman of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, the organization responsible for drug testing of Olympic sports in this country, from 2000-2003, and continues to be an advocate for drug-free athletes. 

Dr. David Schmidt is team physician for the San Antonio Spurs and for more than 30 local and area high schools.  He has been actively involved in educating coaches and high school athletes about steroids and supplements for several years.  Schmidt is on the staff of the professional development curriculum for the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) and gives presentations on the subject of steroids and supplements at the THSCA’s annual meeting.  Additionally, he has made presentations to several local school districts.

David King has been a writer at the sports department of the Express-News since 1995. In 2002, He researched and wrote a multiple-part series on the use of performance-enhancing drugs and nutritional supplements in sports. Since then, he has written about the issue frequently, with an emphasis on the use of steroids, HGH and related substances in baseball.

FREE Youth Events Open for Registration

There are many exciting events during the weekend that allow San Antonio youth a unique opportunity to get involved.

They can experience the excitement of the Final Four by attending the FREE Final Four FridayTM Team Practice Sessions in the Alamodome or they can come to The DiGiorno® College All-Star Game, another FREE event in the Alamodome on Friday, April 4.  YES® Clinics fueled by POWERade® and the Dome Dribble to Hoop City® are two more FREE events that will be offered that weekend. Space is limited for each so encourage your students to register online TODAY! Last, but not least, don't forget about Hoop City refreshed by Coca-Cola®, a four day interactive fan zone where you can run, jump and play.

Visit www.NCAAsports.com/finalfour for more information and to register TODAY!

Volunteer Recruiting Effort Continues

With less than two months until the volunteer program gets underway, the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee has filled over 70% of the more than 3,000 volunteer shifts needed for a successful event.  Thank you, San Antonio!

Hoop City® refreshed by Coca-Cola® is the best opportunity to volunteer before all shifts are filled.  Other areas SALOC continues to recruit for include bus stop and shuttle bus monitors and hotel welcome volunteers.  Don’t miss your chance to contribute to the community effort, and get great gear in the process!  All volunteers will receive a Final Four Cutter & Buck polo shirt and an Adidas cap.  Register here now! 

San Antonio, Host City for another Final Four?

The 2012 – 2016 Final Four bidding process began last week as San Antonio delegates participated in a Men’s and Women’s Final Four bid seminar in Indianapolis.  In addition to San Antonio, thirteen cities have submitted their intent to bid for a future Women’s Final Four, including Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Nashville, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Tampa.

Joining San Antonio at the Men’s Final Four bid seminar were delegates from Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Phoenix and St. Louis. 

Prospective host cities must submit bid information in June, while finalists for both Men’s and Women’s will be determined in August.  An announcement is expected in November to award the 2012 – 2016 Men’s and Women’s Final Fours. 

Scholarship Opportunity for Future Coaches of Women’s Athletics

Applications are being accepted now for a scholarship for UTSA undergraduates who intend to coach women’s athletics.  The Jodie W. McCarley Scholarship for Future Coaches of Female Athletes was established in 2007 by Martha McCarley Hixon.  Her father, Jodie McCarley was a philanthropist, successful businessman, and committed supporter of women’s and girl’s athletics.  The scholarship will award $3500 annually, renewable up to four years.  The application deadline for the 2008-2009 school year is March 3, 2008.  Applicants must be a Texas resident and pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in kinesiology with a specialization in physical education.  For an application, please contact Tiffanye Vargas-Tonsing, Ph.D. at UTSA at 210-458-6228 or TiffanyeVargas.Tonsing@utsa.edu.

Love of Sports and Community Lures Jo Lowe    

Ten years ago, Jo Lowe was introduced to the San Antonio Sports Foundation by a friend who knew of her love of sports.  She volunteered for the 1998 NCAA Men's Final Four and has never looked back.  Today, Jo is a regular fixture at the Sports Foundation, answering phones at the front desk every Thursday and is a key volunteer for the upcoming Men's Final Four.  She was a finalist for our Volunteer of the Year award in 2007.

Jo grew up in a typical "Friday Night Lights" setting in Oklahoma, so sports became a part of life. She participated in YMCA regional swimming competitions from elementary through high school age. Title IX didn’t exist at the time, so she wasn’t able to compete in school, “although there was a group of us that tried to break the swim team barriers at the high school, but we were denied access,” she recalls.  Jo continued her swimming efforts at Oklahoma State University as a member of the synchronized swimming club.

As a retired reading specialist and UTSA lecturer, she divides her time between working with the Sports Foundation and literacy projects. She is currently in the process of developing training videos for a UTSA research grant to be used in professional training with the focus on effective teaching in reading comprehension.

Her favorite event is the Final Four because of the high level of excitement it generates within the community. But she admits to finding gratification in every event for which she volunteers.  “The Sports Foundation offers the excitement of sports events as well as outreach to the community youth through their programs,” she explains.   “I value both.”

Champions Club
Individual Members at $1,000+

Kathleen Acock; Justin Aglialoro; Tom Akin; Dr. Marque Allen; Dr. Lawrence Anderson; Gary & Shelia Arthur; Rich Attkisson; William Avila; Scott Beckendorf; Col. George Becknell; George P. Becknell, III; Morton Baird; Ralph Bender; Johnny Birdsong; James Blackwood; Susan Blackwood; George Block; Carolun Blumit; Steve Bonnette; Diana Braschler; June Bratcher; Howard Burris; Jim Callaway; Pete Cangany; Dana Carter; Jeff Clark; Bud Curtis; Ross & Laura Davis; John Disler; James Doyle; Alan Dreeben; Jim Dublin; Charlie Ebrom; Steve Edlund; Donald Engelhardt; Tally Estrada; David Fevsdahl; Lisa & Frank Fichtel; Buddy Ford; Dr. Jaime Garza; Lisa Friel; Pat & Kelley Frost; James Gianopoulos; Claude Gilmer; Frank Gittinger; Bill Greehey; Bob Gurwitz; Bill & Marcia Hanson; Jim Hazen; Scott Helbing; Ronnie Hengst; Gary Henry; George C. Hixon; Janet Holliday; Michael Imbimbo; Steve Isom; Mary & Chuck Japhet, Gary Joeris; James Johnson; Stacey Johnson; Michael Jones; Kent Krauss; Dr. Gary Lawton; Michael J. Lynd, Jr.; Greg & Leigh Ann King; Lowry Mays; James Mickey; Sue Millican; Phil Miner; Dr. Edward Mueller; Randel Norris; Kelly O'Connor; Daniel & Annette Oliver; Manny Ortiz; Carlos Ramos; Juan Rangel; Bob & Laura Raymond; Tom Reardon; Jim & Katie Reed; Matthew Reedy; Mike Riordan; Charlie Roberts; Marty Roos; Lynn Roper; Dr. David Schmidt; George Scofield; Daniel Simons; Dr. Earl Smith; Casey Stein; Tom Stephenson; Michael Stoltz; Virginia VanSteenberg; Richard Wade; Carri Wells; Jeff Wentworth; Robert Wright, Jr.; Paul Young; Bob Zeigler

2008 Event Sponsors

Corporate Champions

City of San Antonio; AT&T

$50,000

IKON Office Solutions; San Antonio Express-News; Time Warner Cable; Valero Energy Corporation

$20,000

Pepsi Bottling Group; Freeman - Audio Visual Solutions; San Antonio Coca-Cola Bottling Co; Valero Energy Foundation

$10,000

Budget Car & Truck Rental; Corporate Travel Planners; Enterprise Rent A Car; Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; Langley & Banack; Maverick Video Production; NuMedia; Paladin IT Services; Spectrum Health Clubs; Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio

$5,000

The Alamo Travel Group; George Becknell; Bender & Associates; George Block; BudCo., Inc.; The CE Group - Communication & Events; ChapmanSchewe Benefits Consulting; Comet Neon Advertising; Core – Mark International, Inc.; Ernst & Young; Frost Bank; H-E-B Grocery Company; The Gambrinus Company; KPMG; Merrill Lynch; Methodist Healthcare System; Miner Corporation; NuStar Energy; The Plaza Club; RunTex; Security Service Federal Credit Union; Sterling Bank; SWBC; The Trust Company; US Global Investors; Walton Signage; Wells Fargo Bank; Zachry Hospitality, Inc.

$2,500

Accenture LLP; Allegra Print & Imaging; Allied Advertising; Arnold Oil Company; Brant Engineering; Broadway National Bank; C H Guenther & Son; Chelsea’s Sandwiches of Texas Inc.; Colonial Supplemental Insurance; Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated; Don Strange of Texas, Inc.; Ear Medical Group; FIRSTMARK Credit Union; GLI Distributing; Halo Distributing; HMS Host; Jani-King of San Antonio; Jefferson Bank; MassMutual/The South Texas Agency; MarmonMok Architecture; Marriott Plaza San Antonio; Marriott Rivercenter/Riverwalk; Mission Pharmacal; Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers, Inc.; PMG, Inc.; Republic National Distributing Comapny, LLC; San Antonio Economic Development Foundation; Sterling Foods Inc.; Tesoro Petroleum Companies; Texas Automotive Paint Supply Co., Lp; USSA Real Estate Company; Yantis Company

Grants/Foundations

The AT&T Foundation; The Alfred S. Gage Foundation; Bexar County Health & Human Services CDBG; Brown Foundation; Charity Ball Foundation; Criminal Justice Division JJDP Grant; Criminal Justice Division Safe and Drug Free Schools Grant; GAC Halff Foundation; Light Foundation; Myra Stafford Pryor Charitable Trust; The Sequor Foundation; David & Betty Sachs Foundation; Smith Barney; USSA Foundation; Women’s Sports Foundation

Founding Sponsors

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