Foundation for the Future
We need more fields! We need more parks! We need you at the polls!
On May 12, don’t miss the opportunity to vote your heart and make sure our youth get the chance they so rightfully deserve to have more sports fields. Your vote for the City Bond 2007 will also ensure support for the UTSA sports complex that will help this community attract more high profile sporting events that will generate economic impact and enhance tourism opportunities.
All the right reasons to get out early (April 30) and vote YES!
Dr.
Susan Blackwood
Executive Director
Vote YES! City Bond 2007 Provides for Athletic Facilities  and More
On May 12, voters in San Antonio have the chance to approve a historic five-year $550 million bond package to address our city’s most basic needs – streets, sidewalks, drainage and parks. For years, the Sports Foundation has worked to bring together public and private entities to rectify San Antonio’s woeful lack of athletic facilities and sees the City Bond 2007 as a significant, positive step toward accomplishing that goal. Consequently, the Sports Foundation urges all of its members and friends to vote “yes” on all five bond propositions. Early voting begins April 30.
Within the Bond, $79 million is allocated for the acquisition of new parks property and funds to upgrade and maintain existing parks and athletic fields. The largest portion of those dollars -- $33.5 million – is designated to acquire and develop Voelker Park. Culebra Creek soccer fields and park would receive $1.3 million and $6.2 million will support the development of a regional soccer complex and park for disabled children. UTSA athletic fields and facilities would receive a $5.5 million allocation. These projects are located across the city. For details visit www.sanantonio.gov.
Speakers are available to address corporate or civic groups about the City Bond 2007. Please contact Mary Ullmann Japhet at mjaphet@sanantoniosports.org or 210-820-2123 to request a speaker for your organization.
SALOC Attends 2007 Final Fours
 The San Antonio Local Organizing Committee (SALOC) for the 2008 NCAA® Men’s Final Four® was in Atlanta earlier this month to experience the current evolution of the Final Four. New since San Antonio last hosted this premier event is The Big Dance, an epicenter of community activity including ongoing concerts, interactive sponsor experiences, food and other entertainment.
“The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Local Organizing Committee should be commended for an outstanding Final Four event and weekend,” said Jenny Carnes, SALOC executive director. “Our delegation from San Antonio participated in just about every Final Four gathering to get a feel for how much the tournament has evolved, the new events and elements that surround the weekend, what things worked well for Atlanta and what will make San Antonio’s year even better. That’s what it’s all about for a host city—learn what makes it great and then help the NCAA make it even better!”
Several SALOC members also attended the 2007 NCAA Women’s Final Four in Cleveland and were impressed by that city’s promotion of the event through extensive community outreach.
The SALOC delegation included representatives from UTSA, the Sports Foundation, the Alamodome and the San Antonio city government and Convention and Visitors Bureau. Key volunteers were also in attendance.
Tailgate Talks Wrap-Up
(L-R) Al Carter, Julie Baker, Bill Hancock and Charlie Parker.. |
The first Sports Foundation Tailgate Talk of 2007 took place on Wednesday, March 14 at WOW Café and Wingery. Three panelists discussed the Bowl Championship Series and how it should evolve: either to keep with tradition or to change to tournament style playoffs. Panelists included Bill Hancock, the BCS chief executive and an architect of today's NCAA Final Four, Julie Baker with the Alamo Bowl, and Al Carter, San Antonio Express-News deputy sports editor. The discussion was facilitated by WOAI radio host Charlie Parker.
Tailgate Talk attendee, Jim Gibbons, said of the event: “It was very educational in the discussion about the college football playoff debate, and we walked away with a very different perspective.”
The San Antonio Sports Foundation’s Tailgate Talks are a forum for Sports Foundation members and their guests to discuss sports issues relevant to the San Antonio community. They are also fun, lively opportunities for networking.
Gibbons agreed noting that “most of us never get an opportunity to network with or talk to people who are actively involved in the leadership of the San Antonio Sports Foundation. The Tailgate Talk was an excellent opportunity for my wife and me to meet and exchange ideas about the need for commitment from the City Council to development of youth fields for sports activities.”
If you have any questions about the event or suggestions for future topics, please contact Dorsena Picknell at dpicknell@sanantoniosports.org or 820-2112.
Countdown to San Antonio
 It’s all eyes on San Antonio with less than a year to go before the 2008 Final Four® hits the floor of the Alamodome April 5 & 7. The San Antonio Local Organizing Committee’s Final Four preparation is well underway after a successful warm-up during the 2007 NCAA Men’s South Regional. Fans were treated to three of the best games throughout the entire Championship tournament as Ohio State capped off a great weekend of basketball by outlasting Memphis in route to Atlanta.
Thanks to all of the fans who supported the event and each volunteer who worked to make the weekend a success!
SALOC contributor packages for next year’s Final Four are limited and nearing a sell-out. Contact Elena Stout today for more information.
It’s NOT too early to register as a 2008 Final Four volunteer! It’s estimated that 2,000 volunteers will be needed throughout the tournament next year.
Sign up today!
Hoop It Up
 The Hoop It Up 3on3 Basketball Tournament is coming to the Alamodome on April 28 and 29, which means all teams need to be registered by April 23. Each team may have three to five players on its roster, and players from 8 to 18 years of age are eligible for participation.
Click here to register. The registration fee is $144.50 per team. For more information regarding rules and participation please click here.
Army Vet Joins Sports Foundation Coaching Staff
 Derek Kirchner enjoys working with kids and after high school enrolled in UTSA to get his bachelor’s degree in education. After 9/11, he enlisted in the Army Reserves because he felt compelled to do his part. Two years ago his path towards teaching was interrupted when he was called to serve in Iraq for 13 months.
Derek has been home for a year. He is still in the Reserves and was recently promoted to Sergeant. He’s also back on his path to teaching and has added something new: coaching for the Sports Foundation. Derek coaches team handball, gymnastics and badminton at the after school program in Southside ISD and in Edgewood ISD After School All Stars.
“I enjoy working with kids and teaching them new things…something they enjoy,” says Derek. The most challenging part for him is coaching children with a broad spectrum of abilities and skills. “He’s a natural,” says Alma Striker, director of Dreams for Youth. “He’s patient and it’s clear he’s having fun and so are the kids.”
This is Derek’s first job in coaching and he’s found his calling. He plans to continue coaching no matter what path in life he takes.
Carlos Ramos Tees Up for Sports Foundation
 When Carlos Ramos moved to San Antonio from the Valley three years ago, he immediately became involved with the San Antonio Sports Foundation. Ramos is the Market Unit Vice President for Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and he says that it was through this job that he first learned about the Sports Foundation.
“One of my co-workers was on the Sports Foundation’s board, and when he retired from Coca-Cola, he asked if I wanted to take his position. The reason I said yes was because of the Foundation’s involvement with the youth of San Antonio. Obesity is a problem and the more we can do to help, the better. Additionally, the Sports Foundation is important because of the events it brings to San Antonio that highlight our community. We are truly unique in what we do.”
Ramos is chairman of the SASF Golf Classic presented by Coca-Cola, which will be held next Monday, April 16 at the Dominion Country Club. Ramos claims that the Golf Classic has improved over the years and now raises more money for the Sports Foundation’s youth initiatives. He’s predicting great tee time weather.
“I’ve been looking at the long-term weather forecast, and it looks like it will be a perfect day for golf. The only bad thing about it is that I don’t get to play (being chairman)!”
Ramos strongly encourages others to become involved with the Sports Foundation who are interested in contributing to an organization that has a large, positive impact on San Antonio and its citizens.
“The San Antonio Sports Foundation is good people trying to do good things…which is a very good combination.”
Join Carlos as a member of the San Antonio Sports Foundation. Click here to join online or contact Vince Rosetta at 210-820-2122 or vrosetta@sanantoniosports.org.
Champions
Club
Individual
Members at $1,000+
Dr. Lawrence Anderson; Gary & Shelia Arthur; Rich Attkisson; Scott Beckendorf; Col. George Becknell; George P. Becknell, III; Morton Baird;
Sam Barshop; Ralph Bender; Ed Benninger; James Blackwood; Susan Blackwood; Diana Braschler; June Bratcher; Tim Brierty; Howard Burris; Jim Callaway;
Jeff Clark; Bud Curtis; Ross & Laura Davis; James Doyle; Alan Dreeben; Jim Dublin; Charlie
Ebrom; Steve Edlund; Donald Engelhardt; David Fevsdahl; Lisa & Frank Fichtel;
Pat & Kelley Frost; Dr. Jamie Garza; Claude Gilmer;
William Greehey; Joe Guinn; Bob Gurwitz; Bill & Marcia Hanson;
Cheryl Haywood; Scott Hefner;
Scott Helbing; Ronnie Hengst; George C. Hixon; Peter Holt; George C. Hixon; Michael Imbimbo; Steve Isom; Mary & Chuck Japhet, Gary Joeris; Stacey Johnson;
Michael Jourdan; Dr. Gary Lawton; Michael J. Lynd, Jr.; Greg & Leigh Ann King; Lowry Mays; James Mickey;
Phil Miner; Dr. Edward Mueller; Randel Norris; Juan Rangel; Bob & Laura Raymond; Tom Reardon; Marty
Roos; Dr. Robert Schnitzler; Dr. David Schmidt; George Scofield; Daniel Simons; Dr.
Earl Smith; Steve Souter; Michael Stoltz; Steve Stroud; Virginia VanSteenberg; Richard Wade; Neill Walsdorf, Jr.; Carri
Wells; Jeff Wentworth; Robert Wright, Jr.; Paul Young
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; San Antonio Coca-Cola Bottling Co;
$10,000
Budget Car & Truck Rental; Corporate Travel Planners; Enterprise Rent A Car; Flemming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; Langley & Banack; Maverick Video Production; NuMedia: Oak
Farms Dairy; Paladin IT Services; Spectrum Health
Clubs; Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio
$5,000
The Alamo Travel Group; George Becknell; Bender & Associates;
BudCo., Inc.; The CE Group - Communication & Events;
ChapmanSchewe Benefits Consulting; Comet Neon Advertising;
Ernst & Young; Frost
Bank; H-E-B Grocery Company; The Gambrinus Company;
KPMG; Merrill Lynch; Methodist Healthcare System; Miner
Corporation; The Plaza Club; RunTex; Security Service Federal
Credit Union; Sterling Bank; SWBC; US Global Investors;
Walton Signage; Wells Fargo Bank; Zachry Hospitality,
Inc.
$2,500
Allegra Print & Imaging; Allied Advertising; Bank of
America; Broadway National Bank; Don Strange of Texas, Inc.;
Colonial Supplemental Insurance; Cox Smith Matthews
Incorporated; Ear Medical Group; FIRSTMARK Credit
Union;
GLI Distributing; Halo Distributing; MarmonMok Architecture; Marriott Plaza
San Antonio; Marriott Rivercenter/Riverwalk; Mission
Pharmacal; Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers, Inc.;
San Antonio Economic Development Foundation; Sterling
Foods; Tesoro Petroleum Companies; Yantis Company
Grants/Foundations
The AT&T Foundation; The Alfred S. Gage Foundation; Bexar
County Health & Human Services CDBG; Bexar County
Women's Bar Foundation; Brown Foundation; Charity
Ball Foundation; Coleman 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; Women’s Sports Foundation
Founding
Sponsors
City of San Antonio; H-E-B; USAA Foundation,
A Charitable Trust; Valero Energy Corporation
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