Looking To The Future

At the request of the San Antonio City Council and the Bexar County Commissioners Court, the Sports Foundation is compiling a 20-year facility plan which provides an overview of where we are today and a formula for getting San Antonio closer to meeting the youth sports and amateur event venue needs for our community.  We don't want to continue to play second fiddle to other Texas cities. Our children deserve better!

This living and breathing document is the result of the hard work and expertise of the Sports Foundation's facility committee. Most of the credit goes to George Block, facilities committee chairman.  Thanks to the support of the Sports Foundation Board of Directors, the committee has received encouragement every step of the way.

With the city and the county leadership working harmoniously, the stars have never been more perfectly aligned.  In addition to the support from City Council and Commissioner’s Court, we will look back and thank Mayor Hardberger and Judge Wolff for their insight and courage.  We are blessed to have city manager Sheryl Sculley as the navigator and architect of each and every city project.  She and her staff will deserve much praise for their work in concert with county departments and citizens’ committees to give life to the 20-year plan.

How can you help? You have already made a difference. You voted to approve the 2007 city bond funds which provided more than $79 million for new and improved parks and athletic facilities.  You will also be sorely needed at the polls next May to approve county dollars for additional support.  In the meantime, keep telling your elected officials about our need for facilities and encourage private entities to contribute their resources to these projects.

You may view a draft of the Sports Foundation’s 20-year facility plan online.  You will have the opportunity to score all of us on our ability to put your bond dollars to work when we will publish a "sports venue report card" every August.   

Thanks for your support of the San Antonio Sports Foundation and for making our work in the area of facilities possible!

Dr. Susan Blackwood
Executive Director

SASF Board Members Serve County Facilities Committee

Bexar County Commissioners Court has appointed three committees to explore the extension of the visitor tax funding mechanism used to build the AT&T Center to finance new San Antonio River improvements, amateur sports facilities, and cultural facilities for the community. 

The amateur sports facility committee had its inaugural meeting on July 10.  San Antonio Sports Foundation board members Gary Arthur, Bill Avila, George Becknell, George Block, along with executive director Susan Blackwood and GoGirlGo! San Antonio project leader Laura Cabanilla-Cruz were appointed to the amateur sports facilities committee.  Tourism Council executive director Marco Barros is the committee chair and George Block serves as vice-chair. 

Over the next several months, this committee of individuals from various civic organizations and community groups will evaluate projects, assess funding requirements and recommend a prioritized list of projects for consideration by Commissioners Court in January 2008, for possible voter approval in May 2008.

Tesoro Takes Title Sponsorship

We are excited to announce Tesoro as the title sponsor of the Sports Foundation’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament, now called the “San Antonio Sports Foundation Streetball Slam fueled by Tesoro.”  Tesoro has also agreed to become a presenting sponsor of the 2008 Games of Texas. “Tesoro has been a member of the Sports Foundation for years, and we are thrilled to welcome them now as one of our key event sponsors,” said Dr. Susan Blackwood, executive director of the San Antonio Sports Foundation.  “We are grateful for their generosity and look forward to growing Streetball Slam together.” 

Dr. Gómez Chairs Go!Kids

A leading expert in the field of pediatric sports medicine has been named the honorary chair of the 2007 Valero Go!Kids Challenge™, the Sports Foundation’s 8-week fitness program for every elementary student in San Antonio and New Braunfels.   Dr. Jorge Gómez is a professor with tenure in the Department of Pediatrics and director of the Fellowship Program in Pediatrics Sports Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.  He is also the managing partner of CATZ Sports San Antonio and medical director of Youth Sports Treatment and Fitness overseeing all clinical operations including sports medicine, physical therapy and weight management services. 

Dr. Gómez currently serves as the Director of Athletic Medicine for the University of Texas at San Antonio, and is the contracted team physician and medical consultant for the Edgewood and Southwest Independent School Districts in San Antonio.  CATZ Sports is a sponsor of the 2007 Valero Go!Kids Challenge.

Allstate Agent Earns Grant

It pays to be in the Good Hands of local Allstate agent Nancy Lebherz (left) . In recognition of Lebherz’ volunteer efforts in the community, The Allstate Foundation awarded a $500 grant to the San Antonio Sports Foundation.  The grant is part of Allstate’s “Agency Hands In The Community” program. Allstate agents are recognized for outstanding commitment to community service with a donation to the charitable organization where they volunteer. To qualify for the grant, agents must show evidence of volunteer work that has had a positive impact on the local community.  Not only is Nancy a volunteer, but so is her daughter and fellow Allstate agent, Michelle Lebherz (right), who was a three-sport college athlete at the University of the Incarnate Word.

The Sports Foundation is grateful for Nancy’s support and for her partnership as we work to create sports opportunities for our community and its youth.

Beat the Heat at Streetball Slam fueled by Tesoro

A new addition to the Sports Foundation calendar is the Streetball Slam fueled by Tesoro, a 3v3 basketball tournament.  Set for August 11 and 12, this event is a great way to for the whole family to have fun while being active.  Streetball Slam will attract almost 250 teams and be played inside the air-conditioned H.B. Gonzalez Convention Center. 

Teams of three to five persons of all abilities, ages eight and older, are invited to compete.  There is a $100 early-bird team registration fee deadline of July 27.  From July 28 through the final deadline of August 8 at noon, the registration fee per team is $125.  Register your team through the Sport Foundation’s website at SanAntonioSports.org.  Awards will be given to the top teams in each division. 

The Sports Foundation thanks the Streetball Slam sponsors: Tesoro, Pepsi, Texas MedClinic, Time Warner Cable and the San Antonio Express-News.

Judo Junior Olympics

San Antonio welcomes the USA Judo Junior Olympics from July 21-22 at the Freeman Coliseum.  Six local athletes will be competing in this year’s competition, which is the highest level non-international event in the country for junior competitors.  They include Brittni Bradford, of Universal Judo, who is currently ranked #1 in the heavyweight category in the country in both the Junior and Senior levels.  Matthew Zuniga, of Alamo Judo, is a former National Judo Olympic medalist and has been Texas State Champion multiple times.  Jonathan Stafford, of Alamo Judo, narrowly missed a medal in the 2006 Judo Junior Olympics and will try again this year. 

Mason Green, 7, Logan Green, 9, and Athan Davidson, 6, all from Universal Judo, will compete for the first time this year.   Spectators can enjoy the competition by purchasing a one day pass for $10 or two day passes for $20 at the coliseum.  For more information on the Judo Junior Olympics, please visit www.usajudo.org.

Kids N’ Harleys

Get ready for the 2007 For the Love of Kids & Harleys charity fundraiser on Tuesday, September 25 at Cowboys Dance Hall with special guest appearances by legendary country music artist George Strait and NASCAR driver Terry LaBonte.  For the Love of Kids & Harleys features great food and entertainment and a terrific auction. 

Raffle tickets are on sale now for a chance to win a Harley-Davidson Sportster.  They’re only $10 a chance.  To purchase yours, contact Sylvia Williams at 820-2114 or swilliams@sanantoniosports.org.

We are currently looking for items for the Kids & Harleys silent auction.  If you are interested in donating items for this event, please contact Susan Blackwood at sblackwood@sanantoniosports.org or at 820-2110. 

Tickets are $100 for one or $1,000 for a table of ten.  Proceeds will benefit the Sports Foundation’s Dreams for Youth program, Easter Seals, Ronald McDonald House and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. 

SALOC Welcomes CBS and NCAA Corporate Champions and Partners

Representatives from CBS, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Pontiac, DiGiorno’s, Enterprise, the Hartford, Lowe’s and State Farm will be visiting San Antonio next week to determine hospitality space and to get a feel for the Alamo City before returning next April for the 2008 NCAA Final Four.  The San Antonio Local Organizing Committee (SALOC) and the San Antonio Convention & Visitor's Bureau will treat the delegation to two days of venue tours and good eats on the San Antonio River Walk and in the downtown area. 

Volunteer Round-Up Continues

SALOC continues to encourage interested volunteers to visit the new online volunteer registration system to pre-register for the 2008 NCAA Final Four.  Volunteers registered in the system will receive first notice when official shifts are posted later in the year.  SALOC will need nearly 2,000 helpers to roll out the red carpet for Final Four participants and fans.  Register today!

Fencers Take Gold at Nationals

The San Antonio Sports Foundation’s Junior Women’s Epee team captured the gold medal at the U.S. Fencing Summer National Championships in Miami, FL. The team was comprised of Kristen and Kimberley Howell, Gabby Strass and Sonali Patel.  They defeated Northwestern Fencing Center, the three-time defending champion.

Other Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) fencers were also successful at the competition, which concluded July 9.   Courtney Hurley won first in the individual Junior Women’s Epee competition, with Kristen Howell tying for third with Kelley Hurley.  Ally Wolfer placed fifth in Y-10 Women’s Epee, Kimberly Howell placed 7th in Y-14 Women’s Epee, and Diego Soza was 7th in the Division III Men’s Saber.

Champions Club
Individual Members at $1,000+

Justin Aglialoro; Dr. Lawrence Anderson; Gary & Shelia Arthur; Rich Attkisson; William Avila; Scott Beckendorf; Col. George Becknell; George P. Becknell, III; Morton Baird; Ralph Bender; James Blackwood; Susan Blackwood; George Block; Carolun Blumit; Diana Braschler; June Bratcher; Howard Burris; Jim Callaway; 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; Pat & Kelley Frost; James Gianopoulos;  Claude Gilmer; Frank Gittinger; William Greehey; Bob Gurwitz; Bill & Marcia Hanson; Scott Helbing; Ronnie  Hengst; George C. Hixon; Janet Holliday; Michael Imbimbo; Steve Isom; Mary & Chuck Japhet, Gary Joeris; Stacey Johnson; Michael Jones; 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; Manny Ortiz; Juan Rangel; Bob & Laura Raymond; Tom Reardon; Jim & Katie Reed; Matthew Reedy; Charlie Roberts; Marty Roos; Lynn Roper; Dr. David Schmidt; George Scofield; Daniel Simons; Dr. Earl Smith; Michael Stoltz; Virginia VanSteenberg; Richard Wade; 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; 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; 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; 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; 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; MassMutual/The South Texas Agency; MarmonMok Architecture; Marriott Plaza San Antonio; Marriott Rivercenter/Riverwalk; Mission Pharmacal; Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers, Inc.; Republic Beverage Company; San Antonio Economic Development Foundation; Sterling Foods; Tesoro Petroleum Companies; USSA; 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