Thanks for Making Dreams Come True

We are so proud of the new Sports Foundation Dreams for Youth Training Center and of the work and generous donations that went into this effort. A lot of people ask me why I’m in San Antonio at the Sports Foundation. The answer is simple and is demonstrated daily in projects like this one. This community rallies around our programs and events with such passion and commitment. I want to thank our board of directors and the individual and corporate members who make the San Antonio Sports Foundation stand head and shoulders above so many organizations of a similar nature. Read below for a complete description of this new facility that will help us provide opportunities for even more young people.

Once again…just one more plea for volunteers to sign up and put one more notch in our belts. Help make the 2005 U.S. Taekwondo Junior Olympics a huge success! Scroll down for more details.

Dr. Susan Blackwood
Executive Director

New Facility Lifts Dreams for Youth Fencing Program

A labor of love! Over the course of two weeks, a total of 796 hours (the equivalent of 33 days) were volunteered by coaches, parents, athletes and Sports Foundation staff—working until the wee hours of the morning—to get the new Dreams for Youth Training Center ready for fencing classes. On Monday, May 16 the facility hosted its first class and is now open for business.

The new training center is housed up the street from its previous location, the O’Krent building, which was recently sold. Now at 525 San Pedro, the move allows the fencing program to grow and provides the space to host tournaments.

Transforming the space so it could be used for fencing could not have been done without the generosity of several businesses. Robert Hoek, husband of Dreams for Youth founder Stacey Johnson and owner of Crowne Builders, Inc., donated 100 studs and 75 sheets of O.S.B. board. Vicente Vasquez donated 20 gallons of paint, which were matched by Sherwin Williams. But the hard work and dedication of José Sanchez, head fencing coach (who didn’t sleep, putting in 250 hours) and the following individuals made the new facility a reality:

• Coaches Stephen Reyna, Kos Kalofonos, Pablo Carranza and Wendell Kubick;
• Parents Ray Morales, Mike Pate, Jay and Lettie Strauss, Debbie Doolittle, Inez Walker, Norm Thompson, Ralph and Lynn Mendoza;
• Athletes Delaney and Shelby Mendoza, Mark and Steve Kubik, Andy Morales, Sherman Thompson, Gaby Strauss, and Sydney Doolittle, and
• Dreams for Youth Director Alma Martinez Striker, who spent countless hours behind the scenes pulling it all together.

The Sports Foundation also wishes to thank the O’Krent family for sustaining the program over the years by providing a site while the program found its footing.

About 100 children fence at this central location. The new building has plenty of parking, space for parents to observe, and an area which will be set aside to make equipment repairs. It also has something the previous location did not: heating and air conditioning! Interested in fencing lessons? Contact Alma Martinez Striker at 210-820-2113 or astriker@sanantoniosports.org.

Salute to Coaches Award Winners

The Sports Foundation has named the first recipients of our Salute to Coaches Award. Beginning with the 2004-05 school year, the Sports Foundation will recognize a male and female coach of the year at the high school and middle school levels, as well as with community-based youth organizations. Awards are made only in categories receiving nominations.

The winners this year are:
Junior High Male Coach - Bill Perrenot, Driscoll Middle School
High School Male Coach - Frank Vavala, St. Anthony’s Catholic High School
High School Female Coach - Amy Cook, Alamo Heights High School
Community Organization Male Coach - Eddie Mezza, Lackland Youth Community Center

St. Anthony Catholic High School athletic director and coach Frank Vavala accepts 2005 Salute to Coaches Award from Jenny Carnes, Sports Foundation staff

Dr. Susan Blackwood, Sports Foundation executive director explained, “Each coach is being honored for his or her sport accomplishments, for displaying qualities of sportsmanship and citizenship, and for being a positive influence on their athletes. The Sports Foundation wants to publicly recognize individuals who work tirelessly to support the athletic goals and dreams of our young people.”

Congratulations to all the 2005 Sports Foundation Salute to Coaches Award recipients!

Southside ISD Thanks Sports Foundation

In September 2001, the Sports Foundation’s Dreams for Youth program gathered twenty children after school at Pearce Primary gym for their first gymnastics and fencing classes. Since that time, more than 3,000 Southside ISD students have been served, and the program has expanded to include all elementary schools in the district. In addition to gymnastics and fencing classes, Dreams for Youth has added a character education component. Buses are also provided, as transportation is a major hurdle for many families.

FRONT ROW: Jose Sanchez, Susan Blackwood, Sharon Martinez, Alma Striker, SISD Superintendent Mark Herrick, BACK ROW: Paul Guzman, Lydia Padilla, George Becknell

On Wednesday, May 18, the Southside ISD Board of Directors recognized Dreams for Youth for supporting the district’s children and their families.

According to Nancy Thompson, public information officer for Southside ISD, Dreams for Youth is making a difference. “Promoting and providing healthy lifestyle options plays a big part in getting children and families involved. Dreams for Youth and the Go!Kids Challenge are wonderful programs for both the children and their families.” She continued, “We appreciate what you and your entire team are doing. You may not always see or hear about the results, but what you are doing is so very vital to the success of children. It will mold them for a lifetime.” The award was accepted by Sports Foundation chairman George Becknell, executive director Dr. Susan Blackwood and the Dreams For Youth coaches.

Taekwondo Volunteers Needed!

Be a part of the action at the U.S. 2005 Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championships, June 21-25 at the Alamodome. Volunteers are needed in areas of Awards, Coaching Preparation, Hospitality, Referee Seminar, Registration, Results, Scoring, Ring Runners, Security, Set-up & Break Down and Weigh-In. Volunteers must be 12 years of age or older. Give a few hours of your time or several days – there’s a job and schedule for everyone!

Volunteer perks include:

* Free t-shirt
* Free admission to event & free parking at the Alamodome
* See exciting competition up close & personal

Download, complete and return the volunteer information packet to sign up. For more information contact Donna Browne at 210-820-2191 or dbrowne@sanantoniosports.org.

Beat the Rush – Get Your NCAA Volleyball Tickets Now

December 15 and 17 may be months away, but now is the time to be sure you get great seats at the 2005 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship in the Alamodome. Get your group packages of ten or more.

Click here to download your order form today! And for all you coaches out there interested in helping to sell tickets to your players, coaches and parents, please call (210) 820-2104 for information on our incentive program.

DFY Badminton Tourney Crowns Champs

Last week, 100 students from four elementary schools participated in the annual San Antonio Badminton League championship at Poe Middle School. The children are participants in the Sports Foundation's Dreams for Youth program.

For the fourth year in a row, Collins Garden took first place. They were co-champions with Schenk Elementary, whose players were unable to attend the finals due to inclement weather. Maverick took third over Baskin Elementary. Each child on the four teams received a medal, and the trophy will split its time between the schools of the co-champions.

Eleven schools in the San Antonio Independent School District participate in the after-school badminton league, the only one of its kind in the nation.

DFY Summer Camp Opportunities

Looking for something for your children to do this summer? The San Antonio Sports Foundation’s Dreams for Youth program is offering summer classes for children in fencing, diving, girls’ volleyball and gymnastics at locations around the city. To register call Alma Striker at 210-820-2113.

Fencing
Dates: June 6 – 10 Beginner Saber Camp
June 13 – 17 Beginner Epee Camp
June 20 – 24 Beginner Foil Camp
Time: 9 a.m.-12 noon
Cost: $150/week
Age: 9-14
Location: Dreams for Youth Training Center, 525 San Pedro

Diving
Begins: June 6
Time: 1:30-2:30 or 2:30-3:30
Cost: $40/week
Age: 6 & older
Location: Northside Aquatics Center
Children must know how to swim.

Recreational Gymnastics
Begins: June 9
Time: 10 a.m. until 12-noon
Cost: Free (class size limited)
Age: 6 & older
Locations: Thursdays at Meadow Cliff Parks and Recreation Center
Fridays at Miller’s Pond Parks and Recreation Center

Girls’ Volleyball
Begins: June 13
Cost: $50/week
Age: 9-16.
Location: Various gyms around the city

Meet a True Champion – Jim Dublin

Jim Dublin, president and CEO of San Antonio public relations firm Dublin and Associates, Inc., increased his Sports Foundation membership to the Champions Club level in 2004 and has been an individual member of the organization since 1997. He is actively involved in the San Antonio community and says he supports the Sports Foundation because he sees first-hand what the Sports Foundation delivers for this city.

“Sports is not only a personal interest, but it also brings a tremendous amount of economic opportunity and national exposure to San Antonio. Events like the NCAA Final Four are fun, and they generate great free advertising for the city. They create a lot of buzz and help people locally to feel like San Antonio is the place to be,” explains Dublin.

“The Champions Club provides a tremendous opportunity to get involved with an organization that makes these things happen. I contribute at the Champions Club level because it really makes a difference. You have earlier opportunities to buy tickets to premier events, and you’re part of an organization that’s doing something great.”

If you’d like to join Jim as a Champions Club member of the Sports Foundation, click here or contact Mary Ullmann Japhet at 210-820-2123 or mjaphet@sanantoniosports.org for more information.

Champions Club
Individual Members at $1,000+

Gary & Shelia Arthur; Sam Barshop; Susan Blackwood; June Bratcher; Howard Burris; Jim Callaway; Cassandra Carr; James Doyle; Jim Dublin; Charlie Ebrom; Dr. Frank Fichtel; Larry Franklin; Pat & Kelley Frost; Dr. Jamie Garza; Claud Gilmer; William Greehey; Joe Guinn; Bill & Marcia Hanson; Scott Hefner; Scott Helbing; Peter Holt; Stacey Johnson; Michael Jourdan; Greg & Leigh Ann King; Michael Lynd; Lowry Mays; Red McCombs; James Mickey; Tom Reardon; Marty Roos; Dr. David Schmidt; Dr. Earl Smith; Steve Souter; Neill Walsdorf, Jr.; Carri Wells; Jeff Wentworth; Paul Young

Corporate Champions

Presenting Champions

City of San Antonio; SBC Communications Inc.

$50,000

Creative Link; IKON Office Solutions; San Antonio Express-News; Valero Energy Corporation

$20,000

Advantage Rent-A-Car; Pepsi Bottling Group; San Antonio Coca-Cola Bottling Co; San Antonio Spurs; Whataburger, Inc.

$10,000

Budget Car & Truck Rental; Cingular Wireless; Langley & Banack; Maverick Video Production; NuMedia: Oak Farms Dairy; Paladin IT Services; Methodist Children's Hospital; Spectrum Health Clubs; Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, The Dominion Country Club

$5,000

George Becknell; Bender & Associates; BudCo., Inc.; The CE Group - Communication & Events; ChapmanSchewe Benefits Consulting; Comet Neon Advertising; Frost Bank; H-E-B Grocery Company; Hertz Corporation; Humana; JP Morgan Chase; KPMG; Merrill Lynch; Methodist Healthcare System; Michael Imbimbo, Inc.; Miner Corporation; Pacificare; The Plaza Club; Nathaniel Sanderson, M.D.; Security Service Federal Credit Union; Soccer Sports Complex; Sterling Bank; Sterling Foods, Inc.; Jon Turner; Zachry Hospitality, Inc.

$2,500

Allegra Print & Imaging; Bank of America; Broadway Bank; Carneiro, Chummney & Co.; C.C. Creations; Catering by Don Strange; Colonial Supplemental Insurance; Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated; Ear Medical Group; Ernst & Young; FIRSTMARK Credit Union; Fintan Technologies; Flowers Bakeries; Fulbright & Jaworski; GLI Distributing.; Halo Distributing; Host/Chelsea Joint Venture of San Antonio; Initial Security; Dr. Susan Marenda-King; Marriott Plaza San Antonio; Marriott Rivercenter/Riverwalk; Mission Pharmacal; Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers, Inc.; SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.; Tesoro Petroleum Companies; Walton Signage; Yantis Company

Grants/Foundations

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; Light 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