More Fields...More Parks 

We have soccer fields! We have a great park! All because we had YOU supporting the passage of City Bonds 2007!  We all have a lot of questions as to what’s up next.  The San Antonio Sports Foundation will get you those answers regarding timeline and implementation.  Thanks to everyone who voted and encouraged others to vote for these critically needed parks and sports fields.

The last six months of 2007 and all of 2008 promise to be two of the busiest years for your Sports Foundation.  This summer kicks off with the USA Judo National Junior Olympic Championships.  The Valero Go!Kids Challenge™ will be bigger and better in school year 2007.  Two community participatory events round out the summer and early fall. Basketball fans can beat the heat in August at the first-ever 3 vs. 3 tournament in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.  In late September, we’ll stage our second annual Duck n’ Dodge Dodgeball tournament.  Find the details below.

There’s something for everyone, so please come out and support these events.  Most importantly, thanks to the volunteers.   Our valued volunteers make all of these opportunities happen!

Dr. Susan Blackwood
Executive Director

GoGirlGo! Grants Awarded

GoGirlGo! San Antonio grant awards were made by (front row, left to right):  co-chair Stacey Johnson, Olympian Liza Hunter-Galvan, GoGirlGo staff Lauren Gordon and Laura Cabanilla-Cruz, Sports Foundation’s Dr. Susan Blackwood and Anna Gomez.  Back row:  NBA great Sean Elliott, Olympian Josh Davis and Pepsi Co. executive Steve Milonovich.

The San Antonio Sports Foundation presented the first GoGirlGo! San Antonio grants awards on May 17.  This year’s recipients are Girl Scouts of San Antonio, Family Service Association, John F. Kennedy High School, Kinetic Kids, Mustang cheerleading squad, North Side Education Foundation with NISD Aquatics, San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio Golf Association, Seton Home, St. Peter- St. Joseph Children’s Home, and the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.  Each organization will use its grant to increase physical activity opportunities for girls between the ages of 8 and 18.

GoGirlGo! San Antonio co-chair Stacey Johnson presided over the ceremony, while co-chair Sen. Leticia Van de Putte was unable to attend.   Also assisting in presenting the awards were Olympic swimmer Josh Davis, former San Antonio Spur Sean Elliott, Olympic marathon runner Liza Hunter-Galvan, and Pepsi Co. executive and Sports Foundation board member Steve Milonovich. 

SASF Releases First Annual Report

The San Antonio Sports Foundation has published its first-ever annual report detailing the highlights and accomplishments of 2006.  The report features inspirational images of Sports Foundation youth participants created by nationally known photographer Oscar Williams. 

You may download and view a .pdf version of the annual report online or contact Mary Ullmann Japhet at mjaphet@sanantoniosports.org to request a copy.

Recess Celebrated at Community Event

The San Antonio Sports Foundation participated in Texas Public Radio’s “Hands on Recess” event last Saturday at Olmos Park.  Our Dreams for Youth badminton athletes and coaches Kampol Surrapiboonchai and Charles Mullaney encouraged participants of all ages to experience what is one of the world’s fastest-growing Olympic sports.  It was a fun event with several area organizations giving participants the chance to play games and share information. 

SALOC Welcomes Newest Additions

The San Antonio Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 NCAA® Final Four® staff doubled in size this week with two new additions to the team.

Kari Chapman, a San Antonio native (O’ Conner High School), comes to SALOC after surviving a spring semester internship at the Sports Foundation with a concentration on the Final Four.    Recently recognized as the University of the Incarnate Word’s 2006-07 “Student-Athlete of the Year” after a very successful four-year volleyball career, Kari proved to be an MVP in the classroom as well with a double major in Sports Management and Accounting. 
    
She begins fulltime this week and will be instrumental during preparations for the 2008 NCAA Men's Final Four.  Welcome Kari!

SALOC also welcomes summer intern, Robin Erwin who is finishing his graduate degree in Sports Management at the University of the Incarnate Word.

JULY

Judo Jr. Olympics

On July 21-22, San Antonio will host the USA Judo Junior Olympic Championships at the Freeman Coliseum.  The young athletes have qualified for this event through their state judo competitions or are on the sport’s elite status roster.  Spectators may enjoy the competition by purchasing one day or two day passes at the coliseum.  For more information on the Judo Junior Olympics, please visit www.usajudo.org.

AUGUST

Mark Your Calendars for Fun

We have a busy summer and fall approaching and you’re invited to get in the game.  Streetball players are invited to “beat the heat” at the Sports Foundation’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament held on August 11 and 12 "inside" the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.  Teams of all ages, are welcomed to participate in this new event. 

SEPTEMBER

Get Moving - Get Fit

On September 5 elementary students across the city will kick off the fifth annual Sports Foundation’s Valero Go!Kids Challenge™.  For 8 weeks, more than 160,000 children have the opportunity to earn rewards as they exercise at least 30 minutes a day, six days a week.  The Challenge culminates with the Subway Victory Lap Celebration at the Alamodome on Sunday, October 28.

Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive & Dodge

Another big event this fall is the second annual Sports Foundation Duck n’ Dodge dodgeball tournament on September 29 at Brooks City Base.  Over 90 teams participated in last year’s tournament and this year should see even more playing for fun and great prizes. 

For more information on these events, please call 210-820-2100 or email us at inform@sanantoniosports.org.  

GoGirlGo! Open House Sites

Girl-serving organizations care about all girls, not just those who are athletically motivated and talented.  They want to help sedentary girls become healthier by getting them moving.  The Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! San Antonio Initiative is collaborating with local organizations to host the first annual GoGirlGo! San Antonio Open House from June 4 – June 15, 2007.  During these weeks, we will work together to encourage inactive girls to make new friends, try a physical activity at no cost and, hopefully, continue to participate in a local organization’s physical activity program.

The goal is to create a nurturing environment and encourage the girls to return.   We need your help to make it happen!   If you know of an organization that serves girls, is located in San Antonio area and is interested in hosting an Open House or know girls who would be interested in attending, contact the GoGirlGo! San Antonio office at 210-820-2128 or by e-mailing LCCruz@WomensSportsFoundation.org. 

To locate an open house site near you, visit www.gogirlgosanantonio.com.

Badminton Champion Named

SAISD Superintendent Dr. Robert Durón challenged some of the top middle and high school badminton players in the city in a special exhibition match prior to the annual San Antonio Sports Foundation’s Badminton League championship game on May 15.  The badminton league is part of the San Antonio Sports Foundation’s Dreams for Youth program.

One-hundred (100) students from four elementary schools participated in the annual league championship to determine the best badminton teams in boys and girls doubles play.  Maverick Elementary School beat DeZavala Elementary to take home the trophy. 

Dr. Durón is particularly interested in this program because San Antonio is home to the largest institutionalized elementary school badminton program in the country, with 10,000 children in the San Antonio Independent School District participating annually. 

The Sports Foundation’s Dreams for Youth badminton league began in 1999 as a pilot program in four schools.  Today 11 elementary campuses participate with athletes practicing twice a week.  They must have passing grades, good attendance, no discipline problems, and be drug free.

DFY Athletes at Inner City Games

The Inner City Games, a program of the After School All-Stars, got underway in May with the San Antonio Sports Foundation hosting several events.  Dreams for Youth participants in fencing, badminton, diving, team handball and gymnastics got a chance to showcase their athletic skills and earn a medal and t-shirt.  More than 400 participated, including 100 from the after school programs at Southside ISD and Millers Pond Recreation Center.  The Inner City Games continues throughout the summer in several sports and locations. 

To find out more, go to www.saafterschoolallstars.org/Inner_City_Games.htm.

Salute!

The San Antonio Dragon’s Purple U-9 girls soccer team was recently honored with the Sports Foundation’s Salute to Sports Achievement award for their first place win in the National 3 v 3 Soccer Championship in Orlando, Florida.  The U-9’s team is a very interesting story as the team they played against in the Championship was the other half of their full team.  The national U-9 competition had so many teams that they were split into two brackets.  Each of the Dragon’s 3v3 squads (Purple & White) won its bracket and had to face one another!  This was so unusual that GOL-TV recorded the game.  Congratulations to the Dragon’s Purple and White teams for their outstanding achievement.

The Sports Foundation’s Salute to Sport Achievement recognizes local athletes who attain the highest level of achievement within their sporting discipline.

NEW Volunteer On-line Registration System

In partnership with the San Antonio Sports Foundation, the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee for the 2008 NCAA® Final Four® has recently unveiled a new volunteer on-line registration system.  The system will make the registration process for all volunteers faster, easier and more efficient.  More importantly, this will be a great tool for getting new volunteer opportunities out as soon as can be provided and a great way to stay in touch with volunteers as event information is posted or changed.

It’s estimated that 2,000 volunteers will be needed throughout the 2008 NCAA Final Four, so the new system will ensure that we keep track of everyone and provide them with the necessary scheduling and shift information. 

Register today!

Wanted!

The Sports Foundation is in need of a front desk receptionist volunteer.  We have Tuesday morning available and Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons available.  Job duties include:  answering the phones and general help around the office (copies, mail outs, etc…). 

If you are interested in being part of a great team, we would love to have you.  Contact Michelle Rodriguez at mrodriguez@sanantoniosports.org.   

This month three members of the Sports Foundation family have earned prestigious honors.  Bill, David and Stacey – congratulations!

Hanson Leads National Sports Organization

Bill Hanson, Associate Executive Director/Operations and co-founder of the San Antonio Sports Foundation, was elected chair of the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC) at the organization’s annual symposium in Dallas in May.  A long-time board member of the NASC, Hanson will lead the association that represents over 400 organizations within the sports event travel industry and is the primary network for communication and information sharing on all topics relating to the sports event industry. 

Dr. Schmidt Honored at Spurs Game

During halftime at the May 5 San Antonio Spurs game, Sports Foundation board member Dr. David Schmidt received the 2007 United States Sports Academy’s “Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award” from Dr. Susan Blackwood, executive director of the Sports Foundation.  The Dr. Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award, named in honor of the former Olympic athlete, international sports medicine scholar and Director of the University of Kentucky Rehabilitation Center, is given annually to an individual for his or her contributions to the growth and development of sport medicine through practice and/or scholarly activity.  Schmidt is the team physician for the San Antonio Spurs, as well as the AHL Rampage hockey team, the WNBA Silver Stars, and AA Missions baseball team.  He’s also a team doctor for Trinity University and many area high schools.  Schmidt and his Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio partners recently opened the Texas Center for Athletes, a 133,000-square-foot, four-story building for the rehabilitation and medical care for athletes. 

Johnson Recognized for Leadership

Stacey Johnson, San Antonio Sports Foundation board member and Dean of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at Palo Alto College, received the very first"Chancellor's Administrative Leadership Award" for Outstanding Leadership during the Alamo Community College District board meeting on May 15.  Johnson is also nominated for the"Carl M. 'Cheesie' Nelson Administrative Leadership Award."  Johnson has worked within the ACCD for 20 years and has been with Palo Alto College since 1987.  She is also an Olympic Fencer, founder of the Sports Foundation Dreams for Youth program and co-chair of GoGirlGo! San Antonio.

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; Tally Estrada; David Fevsdahl; Lisa & Frank Fichtel; Buddy Ford; 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; Janet Holliday; Michael Imbimbo; Steve Isom; Mary & Chuck Japhet, Gary Joeris; Stacey Johnson; Michael Jones; Michael Jourdan; Kent Krauss; Dr. Gary Lawton; Michael J. Lynd, Jr.; Greg & Leigh Ann King; Lowry Mays; James Mickey; Phil Miner; Dr. Edward Mueller; Randel Norris; Kelly O'Connor; Juan Rangel; Bob & Laura Raymond; Tom Reardon; Charlie Roberts; Lynn Roper; 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; MassMutual/The South Texas Agency; 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