Thanks for Your Leadership

Our thanks to Mayor Garza, Councilmen Barrera, Castro, Williams and Schubert for working so closely with the Sports Foundation to land more than $100 million dollars of economic impact from the events secured during the past four years. Working hand in hand, we have integrated routine exercise and fitness for 160,000 kindergarten through 5th graders with other worthwhile programs in all area school districts.

The 2003 bond election resulted in millions of dollars of dedicated athletic facilities. We can't thank you enough – your leadership, commitment and ongoing support have been instrumental. Along, with returning council members Roger Flores, Richard Perez, Patti Radle, Art Hall and Chip Haass, we have had a very successful campaign in building an amateur sports community.

We look forward to working under the new leadership of Mayor Hardberger, Councilwomen McNeil, Herrera and Guajardo, and Councilmen Gutierrez and Wolff. We hope that their leadership will aid us in bringing more value to our community. Our board of directors and staff pledge our resources to growing our youth initiatives by hosting more successful events. We will work together to make San Antonio "Fit Kid City USA" by building quality programs, facilities and partnerships!

Dr. Susan Blackwood
Executive Director

Sports Foundation Board Member Honored for Dedication to Community

Congratulations to Ralph Bender for receiving the Small Business Leaders Award for Community Service given by the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

Ralph, president of Bender Associates, is a member of the Sports Foundation’s board of directors and a Corporate Champion. He was the founding chair of the Sports Foundation and has been a driving force of our organization since its inception in 1984. Ralph has been instrumental in forging San Antonio's sports growth through the past two decades, and his commitment to San Antonio’s children and the Olympic movement is an inspiration to all who know him.

Bravo, Ralph!!

David King Hits a Home Run with His New Book!

San Antonio Express-News sports writer David King has just released “Baseball in the Lone Star State: The Texas League’s Greatest Hits,” a book he wrote with Tom Kayser, president of the Texas League. The book features a series of stories about the greatest players, teams, seasons and personalities in the Texas League, one of baseball’s oldest minor leagues.

“Baseball in the Lone Star State,” which made its debut on Opening Day, 2005, is a wonderful resource for anyone who loves baseball and stories about the game. It also has an historical appendix with a list of Texas Leaguers in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Texas League players and pitchers of the year, a recap of franchises throughout the league’s history and more.

King currently covers the baseball beat and the Olympic movement for the Express-News. He has reported on many of the Sports Foundation’s events and programs. His 2004 book “San Antonio at Bat” detailed the history of professional baseball in the Alamo City. “Baseball in the Lone Star State,” which is available in paperback, can be found at area bookstores, online booksellers and at the league’s Web site, www.texas-league.com.

Experience The Action!

Be a part of the action in the Alamodome June 21-25 when the San Antonio Sports Foundation hosts the 2005 U.S. Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championships.

Experience the excitement of the competition by purchasing tickets now. Spectators can buy tickets for a single day or multi-day packages. Purchase tickets online or at the Alamodome during the event. For more information contact Sylvia Williams at swilliams@sanantoniosports.org or (210) 820-2114.

Volunteers are still needed in a variety of areas. 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.

Get Set for the Championship!

One of the responsibilities of hosting the 2005 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship is organizing a rehearsal event in the same venue and during the same year as the National Tournament. The 2005 UTSA Dome Rally will serve just that purpose as well as give San Antonio a taste of what is to come in December!

National powerhouses such as USC and Florida will join Notre Dame, Texas A&M, LSU, Rice, Oklahoma and our hometown favorites, UTSA September 9-11 at the Alamodome. Tickets are on sale now through the UTSA Box Office (210-458-8872). Prices start at only $8 for students and $15 for adults.

All-session passes and ticket packages are still available for December 15 & 17 at www.saloc.org or by calling (210) 820-2104.

Ready, Set, Ride!

The 11th annual For The Love of Kids and Harleys gala has been set for Sept. 7 at the SBC Center. This event has raised more than $1 million dollars for local children’s charities since it began in 1995. Once again, the Sports Foundation will be one of the nonprofit beneficiaries along with Any Baby Can, Easter Seals, Respite Care, and The Ronald McDonald House.

For the Love of Kids and Harleys was formed by five friends who share common passions: riding Harley Davidson motorcycles and and helping kids. They include Larry Walker, John Peveto, John Miller, Fully Clingman and Hal Gottsacker.

For more information about For The Love of Kids and Harleys, contact Vanessa Richey at (210) 820-2112 or vrichey@sanantoniosports.org.

Great Deals for San Antonio Stays!

The San Antonio Hotel and Lodging Association, a partner of the Sports Foundation, has begun its first SAHLAngels Community Service Project’s Shopping Bonanza!

Here’s how it works: purchase certificates online for various hotels at incredibly low rates including $89 for full-service hotels and $59 for limited service hotels. The certificates, which have been donated by members of SAHLA, may be redeemed at any time that space is available. All proceeds from this special promotion will support local charities.

The Shopping Bonanza will only last until July 31, or until the certificates have sold out. So, get out your calendar and plan your next visit to town, or buy certificates for your friends and family to come visit you! Simply look for the Angel logo on the SAHLA website at www.sanantonio-lodging.org to start shopping!

Character Education Builds Strong Futures

Each year, 600 children in Southside ISD receive training in fencing or gymnastics, character education and tutoring in an after-school and summer program run by Dreams for Youth. While the Sports Foundation is in the business of sports, providing mentoring and tutoring go hand-in-hand in helping children become successful and confident.

Three times a week, before or after their training, students participate in a group-mentoring program titled “Youth Connection,” which focuses on family, communication, peer pressure, goal setting, friendship, self-control, individual self, feelings and healthy choices.

For Jackie Benavides, the character education portion has been very helpful to her family. Jackie’s daughter, Kayla, started in the after-school program this spring. After Jackie remarried, Kayla had difficulty adjusting to spending time between two homes. Jackie asked Sharon Martinez, DFY gymnastics coach and character education facilitator, for assistance in helping Kayla adjust. “Sharon talked to Kayla one-on-one, providing another caring adult for my daughter to speak with.” Jackie says it has been invaluable. “Sharon helped me deal with my daughter, helped Kayla understand the situation, all while teaching her the importance of respect and listening. Kayla has become a better child because of it.”

Theresa Ybarra’s daughter Britney, 9, tends to hold her feelings in. Through the character education program, Britney has learned how to express her emotions and feelings, and has opened up to her mom. “Sharon is helping Britney learn right from wrong. When it comes from someone else, especially from someone Britney admires, she listens.”

“It helps for kids to have someone else to talk to that’s not their parents,” says Sharon. “When it’s your own child, you see things differently. My family has gone through many of the same things as these kids, so I can relate to both the children and their parents.”

To learn more about Dreams for Youth after-school programs, contact Alma Martinez Striker at 210-820-2113 or astriker@sanantoniosports.org.

Meet a True Champion – Scott Hefner

Scott Hefner, a partner with Ernst & Young, has been involved with the Sports Foundation for three years and recently increased his membership to the Champion’s Club level. He is dedicated to supporting the Sports Foundation’s efforts to bring sporting events to San Antonio and positively affect the lives of youth in San Antonio.

“I just wanted to become more heavily involved in the organization, and I thought I should lead by example. I didn’t join the Champion’s Club for the benefits. Really, I was looking to demonstrate my commitment to the organization,” Hefner explained.

“I truly believe the Sports Foundation is an integral part of what goes on in the community due to its effort in securing major sporting events for San Antonio,” said Hefner. “The impact the Sports Foundation has on the youth of the community is also apparent.”

Hefner said he has witnessed this impact first-hand through his children’s participation in the Diamond Shamrock Go!Kids Challenge™. He believes the Go!Kids Challenge is a great way to get our city more focused on fitness.

If you’d like to join Scott 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; Tim Brierty; 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; Wells Fargo Bank; 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