Crazy Fun in Any Language

“March Madness” and “La Locura de Marzo”.  In English, we say madness and in Spanish, we say insaneness!  Either way, we say that the NCAA® Men’s Final Four® is just much fun!   Join us for the many public events such as the “Big Dance”, the “River Rally”, “Final Four Friday” and the “Dome Dribble.”   Your attendance will show the NCAA that San Antonio is the perfect host city. We want more Final Fours!

Kudos to everyone who made the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame a huge success.  Our hats are off to our incredible volunteers, auction and table supporters and to the class of 2008.  We hope your night was a special one to remember.  Most importantly, the most grateful group is the young people involved in the San Antonio Sports Foundation youth programs. Their lives will be positively impacted for another year thanks to the evening being our best financial special event ever!

Dr. Susan Blackwood
Executive Director

Olympic Hall of Fame Selects Davis & Robinson as Finalists  

San Antonio athletic standouts Ross Davis and David Robinson have been named finalists for the prestigious U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

Ross is a three-time Paralympian who competed in the wheel chair division in Track and Field. He has won nine Paralympic Track and Field medals including two gold medals and set a Paralympic record in the 100m race. Ross is currently the creative director for the San Antonio Sports Foundation.

David Robinson, former San Antonio Spur, is known as one of the top centers of his era. Robinson is a three time Olympian, the only US male to be named to three teams, which included the 1986 Olympic team that took the gold in the FIBA World Championship.

Please show your support for our local outstanding Olympians by voting for them at http://www.usolympichalloffame.com by March 28.

A.C.T. for SA! Campaign

On May 10th, San Antonio needs your “yes” vote on four key initiatives to extend the visitor tax to continue building a better future for our community and our kids.  You can learn all about how you can support improvements for the San Antonio River, the development of youth and amateur athletic facilities, enhancements to the rodeo grounds and community arenas and the development of performing and cultural arts centers.  

There are several things you can do today to support this very critical vote.  First, make sure you and your friends, family and colleagues are registered to vote no later than April 3.  It’s easy and you can even do it online.  Secondly, if you’d like to have someone speak to your civic or employment group about the election, contact Kelli Larsen at klarsen@gdc-co.com.  Finally, visit www.ACTForSanAntonio.com to learn all about the issues and campaign.  You can also sign up there for regular e-mail updates. 

Ralph Bender receives award from AICP

Ralph Bender, chairman emeritus of the San Antonio Sports Foundation, has been selected to be a member of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).  Ralph will be inducted at the 2008 American Planning Association National Planning Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 27, at Bally’s Hotel.  A former planner for the City of San Antonio, Ralph is an accomplished architect.  Congratulations, Ralph!

Hall of Fame Tribute

The Alamodome was magically transformed into an elegant setting for the annual San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame tribute on Feb. 15.  More than 1,000 people were on hand to celebrate the induction of the Class of 2008:  (L-R) Josh Davis, Clifford Johnson, Clyde Glossen, Jerry Comalander and Lyle Blackwood.  Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich and Silver Stars player Becky Hammond, the San Antonio Express News Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, were also recognized.  An amazing silent and live auction, as well as table sales, helped net approximately $120,000 for the Sports Foundation’s youth initiatives.  Thanks to all who helped make it a memorable event.

Click here to view and order photos of the event.  Highlights of the induction ceremony can be seen on Time Warner Cable’s San Antonio on Demand Channel 988.

USBWA Breakfast Tickets Available

Meet the college basketball player and coach of the year at the annual United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) awards breakfast co-hosted by the San Antonio Sports Foundation.  The event takes place at 8 a.m. on Final Four Friday™, April 4 at Sunset Depot. 

The 2008 Oscar Robertson Player of the Year and the 2008 Henry Iba Coach of the Year will be revealed at the breakfast when they receive their awards.  The USBWA will also present its Most Courageous Award.  Special tribute will be paid to local business leader, Bob Coleman, the chairman of the NCAA Men’s Final Four® San Antonio Local Organizing Committee in 1997-98, the first time the championship was hosted in our city.  The “Big O” Oscar Robertson will also be present.  Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the San Antonio Sports Foundation’s youth initiatives and the San Antonio Kidney Foundation.   Don Harris of News 4 will emcee.
 
Get your tickets today to this inspiring event.  Tables of 10 cost $600 and individual tickets are available for $75 each.  Click here to download your ticket order form or contact Monica Robles at mrobles@sanantoniosports.org or 210-820-2121. 

Envision08 Offers Opportunities for SASF Athletes & Members

Envision08, a unique business conference hosted by Texas A&M University’s Center for New Ventures & Entrepreneurship, will be held in San Antonio April 23-25 at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel. The conference is offering Sports Foundation members and friends a $100 registration discount. 

Texas A&M organizers have also invited 20 Sports Foundation Dreams for Youth and Community Olympic Development athletes to attend the opening night’s dinner and presentation by business guru Marcus Buckingham.  “Our athletes are highly motivated young people on the cusp of making significant decisions in their lives. I expect a speaker of Mr. Buckingham’s caliber will inspire them to develop their strengths and pursue their passions in college and beyond,” said Dr. Susan Blackwood, Sports Foundation executive director.

Other conference speakers include Dr. Stephen Covey, author of the international bestseller, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and Guy Kawasaki.  To learn more, visit www.envision08.com.  To claim your $100 Sports Foundation discount, enter the code “invest” upon registration.  When asked who referred you, please indicate “San Antonio Sports Foundation.”

Frank Shorter Headlines Tailgate Talk

Olympic gold-medal marathoner and anti-doping advocate Frank Shorter (left) led a fascinating discussion at the Sports Foundation’s first Tailgate Talk of 2008 on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at Tomatillo’s Café y Cantina.  Rounding out the panel was Dr. David Schmidt (center), team doctor of the San Antonio Spurs and numerous area high schools and universities and David King (right), Olympic beat writer for the San Antonio Express-News.  Charlie Parker, of News 1200 WOAI radio emceed.  Tailgate Talks are fun, networking events for Sports Foundation members and their guests.  Stay tuned for details about the next Tailgate Talk tentatively scheduled in June 2008.

Circle of Champions

The San Antonio Sports Foundation’s Circle of Champions enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Miner Corporation’s San Antonio offices on Friday, Feb. 8, where they saw first-hand the culture and focus that has helped make Miner one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in North America.  Phil Miner, CEO and a member of the Sports Foundation’s board of directors and executive committee, and Jeff Schmeck, President and COO, then treated the group to lunch and shared their thoughts on philanthropy and success. 

The Circle of Champions is a group of young community leaders committed to supporting the Sports Foundation, while enjoying fun sporting events and social networking.  If you or someone you know would like to learn more about joining the Circle of Champions, please contact Dorsena Picknell at dpicknell@sanantoniosports.org or 210-820-2112.

Final Four Friday™ Takes on a New Look

When the NCAA® Men’s Final Four® comes to San Antonio, Final Four Friday (April 4)
will be completely different from years past!  For true basketball enthusiasts looking forward to this free day in the Alamodome, practices will still run throughout the afternoon and include all four teams as they prep for their games the following day.  Parking and entry at the Alamodome will be free. 

New to 2008’s Friday are promotions throughout the practices, on-court activities and recognition of various Final Four guests, AND a chance to win tickets to the Final Four!  If that’s not enough basketball for you, fans can stick around for the DiGiorno® College All-Star Game featuring the nation’s top seniors going head to head in an East vs. West match-up.  This game hosted by the National Association of Basketball Coaches will, for the first time, be played in the same venue as the National Championship.  A 5:15pm tip gives you just enough time to stretch your legs and enjoy a snack after the last practice, but no need to leave the Alamodome. It’s ALL FREE, it’s great family fun and it’s all happening on the floor of the Alamodome.
                                                  
The grand Friday finale will require a quick walk through HemisFair Park to South Alamo Street, where The Big Dance music festival will just be getting underway with its evening festivities, including a headlining concert, great food and a breathtaking fireworks show to end the night. 

There is no better way to kick-off your Final Four weekend then coming downtown and being a part of the free fun, courtesy of the NCAA, its Corporate Champions and Partners, the NABC and the City of San Antonio!

NCAA.com/finalfour is All You Need!

Don’t forget, NCAA.com/finalfour is the best resource for all your Final Four planning – hotel rooms are still available through the fan housing block, register for two of the last 150 volunteer shifts remaining, and sign-up youth for the Dome Dribble to Hoop City or the YES Clinic at Sam Houston High School.  The Big Dance concert line-up will soon be posted as will online registration for the Final Four 5K.  It’s everything you need to plan a very memorable Final Four experience!

Viva! Divers

One of the favorite shows at SeaWorld San Antonio is Viva!, a colorful production featuring professional high divers, aerialists and synchronized swimmers performing with Pacific white-sided dolphins and beluga whales.  The divers in the show have strong ties to the Sports Foundation’s diving program.
In 2001, Bill Brown of World Entertainment held tryouts in San Antonio for local divers to work in the Viva! show.  Two coaches at Northside Aquatics, home of the San Antonio Sports Foundation’s Community Olympic Development Program diving program, signed on for the first season.  Viva! management then asked if they could come to Northside Aquatics and Palo Alto Natatorium to do some diving training.  “We obliged,” says Tommy Law, CODP coach.  “The tank at Sea World is around 60 degrees and very salty, and the divers have to wear wet suits to train there.  Diving at Northside and Palo Alto is a treat with our 80 degree water.”  Since then, five other CODP divers, including Tommy one season, have signed on with the show.

Marc Zabriskie (standing left above) became acquainted with Northside Aquatics through Viva’s relationship with the program.  For the last two seasons he has helped Tommy as an assistant coach.  “I enjoy seeing the progression of the kids…seeing them reach their goals,” says Marc enthusiastically.  Marc can’t believe he’s getting paid to do what he loves and will dive again for SeaWorld this season. 
According to Tommy, the divers from Viva! help judge high school diving competitions and have helped coach athletes while he is away at competition.  There is another benefit.  “When the Viva! performers come to train with us, the younger athletes get excited and want to learn dillys (show dives),” says Tommy.  Marc gets a kick out of their enthusiasm and believes it is important to give back.  “I had a lot of people help me in my diving career, and I wanted to be a part of helping kids out, so I asked about coaching.” While working at Viva! will put his coaching on hold until September, he’s eager to get back to it. 

CODP Athletes Score

San Antonio fencers Courtney Hurley and Kristin Howell won gold and silver in Jr. Women’s Epee at the Fencing Junior Olympics in Charlotte, NC, held Feb. 15-18.    The one-two sweep came out of 175 entries.  Kimberly Howell took silver in Cadet Women’s Epee.  There were 152 entries and she lost to defending champion Francesca Bassa.  Edward Kelley took silver in Cadet Men’s Epee out of 225 entries.  Nick Kubik was ninth in Jr. Men’s Foil, with older brother Steven coming in 25th in the same event.

CODP diver Justin McDonald, a senior at Brackenridge High School, took home the silver medal in the 1-meter event at the State 4A Diving Championships held in Austin Feb. 22-23.

Fencing Program Moves to New Facility

The San Antonio Sports Foundation’s fencing program has a new home.  Effective March 3, the Dreams for Youth and CODP fencers will train at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Sports Complex, 1001 North Walters.  This 26,000 square foot facility is where the WNBA Silver Stars practice.  Classes for beginning and advanced fencers, and open fencing, will be offered twice a week on Monday and Wednesday evenings.  For more information, call 210-820-2100.

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; Corky Roth; Dr. David Schmidt; George Scofield; Daniel Simons; Terry Sivesind, Dr. Earl Smith; Casey Stein; Tom Stephenson; Michael Stoltz; Virginia VanSteenberg; Richard Wade; Larry Weil; 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