Ho! Ho! Ho!
It has been a very merry and extremely happy 2006. Help us make 2007 even more prosperous! We want more Go!Kids moving and overcoming our obesity and poor health conditions. We also hope to increase participation in our Dreams for Youth and Community Olympic Development programs, expanding the experience of Olympic sports to children in San Antonio. Beginning in 2007, you can help make it possible to give grants to girl-serving agencies that are helping us and our partners at the Women's Sports Foundation reach the goal of getting 100,000 sedentary girls active...GoGirlGo!
All of these dreams can come true with the help of your gifts. What better time of year to give a gift and get a tax deduction too? Just click here to download a donation form.
And from all of us at the Sports Foundation, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We are proud to have you on the Sports Foundation team!
Dr.
Susan Blackwood
Executive Director
New Members of the Board
The San Antonio Sports Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to its board of directors. They include Penny Postoak Ferguson, assistant city manager for the City of San Antonio, Gary Henry, chairman and president of Waterpark Management, Inc., Nate Lundy, program director for Clear Channel Radio and Tom Stephenson, publisher of the San Antonio Express-News.
Donations Sought
The Zero Tolerance Unit of the Bexar County Probation Department has been a tremendous help in supporting Sports Foundation events. The unit is comprised of young misdemeanor offenders serving short sentences, but is the last chance before serving hard time. They have been instrumental in the quick, efficient setup and teardown of Sports Foundation events such as Roundball Ruckus, gymnastics, taekwondo and fencing, where heavy lifting is involved.
Supporting the unit in the form of in-kind equipment donations is the best way to show our gratitude to the County for making the unit available to us. We have donated some basketballs and volleyballs, and are looking for navy blue and red t-shirts, red and navy mesh baseball caps, canvas work gloves, canteens with belt & cover and board games. If you can donate some of these items, please contact Bill Hanson at 820-2111 or bhanson@sanantoniosports.org.
 Football Finals Fever Strikes
If you’re new to San Antonio or Texas, you may not recognize the crazy fever that strikes our citizens about this time of year. Sufferers experience a racing pulse, hoarse voice and spontaneous bursts of team spirit. The symptoms can only be relieved by attending a high school football playoff game.
The ultimate cure is attending The Football Finals – the UIL 5A State Football Championships – in the Alamodome, Saturday, Dec. 23. The Div. II game kicks off at 2 p.m. and the Div. I game starts at 7 p.m. Prior to each game, Fan Rallies for each team will be staged at Sunset Station.
Just click here to visit the official Football Finals Web site. There, you may purchase tickets, book a hotel room if you’re coming in from out of town and check out the ancillary events that will help fuel that football fever! You can even visit the “promote” page to help spread the word at your school and in the playoff game stadiums.
Reserve Your Seat at the 2007 Sports Hall of Fame
 Tickets for the 2007 San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute are now on sale. The floor of the Alamodome will be transformed into a beautiful setting for the Tribute on Friday, February 16, as we honor the Hall of Fame Class of 2007. Coaching legend Buddy Meyer, golfing great Shirley Furlong, Heisman award winner Ty Detmer, and NFL legends Darryl Grant and Willie Mitchell will all be inducted at this black tie event.
Tables to this year’s event may be purchased for $1500, $2500, $5000 and $10,000. Individual tickets are also available for $125. Click here to order tickets online or call Gretchen Garceau-Kragh at 210-820-2109.
Saddle Up for a SALOC Contributor Package
 Have you ever wanted to experience one of the biggest sporting events around and have a positive impact on the community?
The 2007 NCAA® Men’s South Regional, 2008 NCAA Men’s Final Four™, and 2010 NCAA Women’s Final Four® are just around the corner. Here is your chance to circle the wagons and become a part of the NCAA action by purchasing a SALOC Contributor Package. There are two package options available that include tickets, parties, mementos and more. Both choices are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and as always, are largely tax deductible.
Don’t forget about the little buck o' roo’s that will benefit from your support of the San Antonio Local Organizing Committee. Not only does the Final Four bring millions of dollars in economic impact to the city of San Antonio, it also leaves a legacy for our youth by offering programs that local children of all ages can participate in.
So, loosen up that belt buckle and enjoy the experience of a life time. Download an order form here or contact Elena Stout (210-820-2127) for more information.
Final Fours, Past & Present, “The Road to Glory” Luncheon
Learn more about SALOC Contributor Packages by attending a luncheon on January 18 at the AT&T Center Terrace Club hosted by SALOC Chairman, Pat Frost. The luncheon will feature Nevil Shed, starting forward for the 1966 Texas Western College Final Four Championship team. Seating is limited so RSVP today by calling Elena Stout at 210-820-2127.
Volunteer Round-up
The 2007 NCAA Men’s South Regional is coming up March 22 & 24 at the Alamodome. We have a limited number of volunteer shifts available and we need your help. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Michelle Rodriguez at 210-820-2191 or mrodriguez@sanantoniosports.org to reserve your spot today.
Dreams For Youth Impact Grows
Over 231,500 children have had the opportunity to learn an Olympic sport since the inception of Dreams for Youth in 1993. Recently, the Sports Foundation conducted an assessment of its participation numbers. Currently, 46,000 children participate in Dreams for Youth’s badminton, fencing, gymnastics, diving, volleyball and team handball programs. A legacy of the U.S. Olympic Festival, Dreams for Youth operates at a grassroots level, with most participants coming from low income households.
Fencers Make Strong Showing
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USA finalists and coach – L to R – Steve Kubik, Ben Parkins, Mauro Hamza, Ariel DeSmet, Gerek Meinhardt |
US Fencing’s junior men’s foil team traveled to Spain on November 18, 2006. They competed in the “Comunidad de Madrid” junior world cup and for the first time all 12 team members made the top 32 and earned international FIE points at this event. There were four American fencers in the finals including Gerek Meinhardt and Ariel DeSmet who finished tied for third. San Antonio’s own Steve Kubik, a former Community Olympic Development Program athlete, finished seventh and Ben Parkins finished eighth.
The San Antonio Sports Foundation and the South Texas US Fencing Association co-hosted the South Texas Junior Olympic Qualifier for fencing this past weekend. The event drew the strongest and most ambitious fencers from all of South Texas who had not automatically qualified for the 2007 Junior Olympic Fencing Championship, which is slated for February in Denver, CO. The national Junior Olympic Championship is vital to those being selected as members of the 2007 USA Jr. World Cup team.
DFY Club Volleyball Underway
More than 100 girls have signed up and started practicing for the Dreams for Youth Club Volleyball program. This is an increase of 50 girls over last year! They begin playing competitive games later this month. The Dreams for Youth club volleyball is different from other club volleyball teams around the city. Open to girls ages 9 through 18, there are no tryouts. Every girl plays and is placed according to her ability. Each gets to learn skills and be part of a team. The Dreams for Youth club volleyball season runs November through May. DFY also hosts a summer volleyball league for girls beginning in June.
Valero Go!Kids Challenge™ Names Most Fit Superintendents, Principals & Teacher
Teachers, principals and superintendents who talk the talk should walk the walk. That was the premise behind the San Antonio Sports Foundation’s 2006 Valero Go!Kids Challenge™ Most Fit Superintendent and Most Fit Principal contest. Two winners were selected in the most fit superintendent and principal categories, one each from a large and a small school district.
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NEISD Superintendent Dr. Richard Middleton receives his “Most Fit Superintendent” award from Dr. Susan Blackwood, Sports Foundation Executive Director. |
Richard Middleton, superintendent of North East ISD, and Velma Villegas, superintendent of Southwest ISD, are both models of fitness for their districts. They each won a heart rate monitor from Sportime and a trophy. Cathy Cowan, principal at Locke Hill Elementary in Northside ISD, and Sharon Schaefer, principal at Highland Forest Elementary School in East Central ISD both set examples through their deeds and leadership. They each won a heart rate monitor from Sportime and a banner for their school.
Converse Elementary PE teacher Terri O’Bryant is also a winner! She completed her Go!Kids activity journal online and had at least 80% of her students complete the challenge. Terri won a $50 personal gift certificate from Sportime and a banner for her school which is located in Judson ISD.
WOW, What a Guy!
 The Sports Foundation would like to congratulate Joe Linson, a long time member of its board of directors, on being named president of WOW Café & Wingery of San Antonio, a New Orleans style eatery located at 18866 Stone Oak Parkway. WOW Café & Wingery is a part of All Pro Hospitality Group, LLC, DBA, whose managing member is former San Antonio Spur, William Thomas Franklin III.
In addition to his commitment to the Sports Foundation, Joe’s civic responsibilities are many and varied. He is on the Advisory Board of the U.T.S.A. College of Business, the former President of the Alamo City Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Food Bank, former Chairman of the Greater Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee and former Tri-Chair for “Citizens for the Alamodome Campaign.” He is the immediate Past-Chairman of the MasterCard Alamobowl and on the board of directors of Communities in Schools, American Red Cross, San Antonio Area Foundation, Valero Texas Open and Sterling Bank’s Community Development Board.
“I look forward to bringing my hometown this unique and enjoyable eatery for families to come, relax and get a little taste of Cajun with this New Orleans style cuisine. Our first restaurant is opening in the Stone Oak area but we are planning to open Wingery’s in each quadrant of the city over the next three to four years,” says Joe.
Champions
Club
Individual
Members at $1,000+
Dr. Lawrence Anderson; Gary & Shelia Arthur; Col. George Becknell; George P. Becknell, III; Morton Baird;
Sam Barshop; Ralph Bender; Ed Benninger; James Blackwood; Susan Blackwood;
June Bratcher; Tim Brierty; Howard Burris; Jim Callaway;
Jeff Clark; Ross Davis; James Doyle; Jim Dublin; Charlie
Ebrom; Steve Edlund; Donald Engelhardt; Lisa & Frank Fichtel;
Pat & Kelley Frost; Dr. Jamie Garza; Claude Gilmer;
William Greehey; Joe Guinn; Bill & Marcia Hanson;
Cheryl Haywood; George C. Hixon; Peter Holt; Scott Hefner;
Scott Helbing; George C. Hixon; Michael Imbimbo; Steve Isom; Gary Joeris; Stacey Johnson;
Michael Jourdan; Dr. Gary Lawton; Michael J. Lynd, Jr.; Greg & Leigh Ann King; Lowry Mays; James Mickey;
Phil Miner; Bob & Laura Raymond; Tom Reardon; Marty
Roos; Dr. Robert Schnitzler; Dr. David Schmidt; Dr.
Earl Smith; Steve Souter; Michael Stoltz; Richard Wade; Neill Walsdorf, Jr.; Carri
Wells; Jeff Wentworth; Robert Wright, Jr.; Paul Young
Corporate
Champions
City of San Antonio; AT&T
$50,000
Creative Link; IKON Office Solutions;
San Antonio Express-News; Time Warner Cable; Valero Energy Corporation
$20,000
Langley & Banack; Pepsi Bottling
Group; San Antonio Coca-Cola Bottling Co;
$10,000
Budget Car & Truck Rental; Corporate Travel Planners; Flemming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; Maverick Video Production; NuMedia: Oak
Farms Dairy; Paladin IT Services; Spectrum Health
Clubs; Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio,
$5,000
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; 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; Catering by Don Strange;
Colonial Supplemental Insurance; Cox Smith Matthews
Incorporated; Ear Medical Group; FIRSTMARK Credit
Union;
GLI Distributing; Halo Distributing; 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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