San Antonio Sports Foundation

Hats off to our elected city officials and leadership on the city staff for their help and guidance in obtaining approval of the contract with the City of San Antonio. This annual contract provides reimbursement to the Sports Foundation for out of pocket services and expenses incurred as we attract, secure and stage major athletic events for the community. These events generate economic impact and benefit all San Antonio citizens in so many ways. Not only do we all depend on the sales taxes and hotel and motel taxes that our visitor industry produces, but bringing wholesome amateur sports to a community our size has residual effects that will pay dividends even years from now.

I want to also take this opportunity to thank the corporate leaders and other funders and grantors who make possible the Sports Foundation’s other ongoing operations and programs, particularly our youth sports and fitness programs. Without these private funds, we could not meet most of the other major goals of this organization.

We value all of this support and often wish that we had other opportunities publicly to show our gratitude to the City of San Antonio and the many, many other contributors to the program. Please understand how much this staff and more importantly, the children whose lives you touch, appreciate your unselfish support!!!

The Sports Foundation is proud to be a partner in San Antonio’s hospitality industry and hopes you’ll help the Convention and Visitors Bureau identify someone who deserves recognition for providing leadership within the local tourism industry.

The Robert H. Hugman Award was established to recognize people who have had a vision for enhancing and/or expanding tourism in San Antonio. Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:

Nominations are due by Thursday, March 31, 2005. Questions may be directed to Angela McClendon at the Convention and Visitors Bureau at (210) 207-6737 or angelam@sanantoniovisit.com.

The 2005 Whataburger Roundball Ruckus is drawing closer day by day, but don’t sweat it, there is still time to register! This annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament will take place at the Alamodome April 23-24. Men and women and boys and girls of all ages and skill levels can play. All you need to do is round up a three to five person team and register online or by calling (210) 820-2100. Entry forms are also available at area TETCO locations, Texas Med Clinics and Spectrum Health Clubs.

The entry fee for each team is $100 and the first 200 teams to sign up get a free basketball. The registration deadline is April 18 at 5 p.m., so get on the ball and register today!

Volunteers for the 2005 Whataburger Roundball Ruckus are still needed. There’s something for everyone, so become a part of this fun family event. Preparation for the tournament will begin April 22 with packet pickup. Competition takes place April 23 and 24.

Choose from morning and afternoon shifts. Some of the volunteer positions include the basketball throw, score keeping and court monitoring, registration and general clean up. If you are interested in volunteering, please call Donna Browne at (210) 820-2191 or email her at dbrowne@sanantoniosports.org. No experience is required!

Group ticket packs are on sale today! Friends, coworkers, volleyball teams or any group of ten or more will do. If you are looking for a group of lower-level seats, a way to save money and a fun reward for doing so, this is the best deal going for the 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship! Call (210) 820-2104 for more details or to sign up your group today.

Here’s another great deal – consider going in with friends or sponsoring a youth organization by purchasing a ticket and hospitality package. These contributor packages start at $1,000 and include prime seating, pre-game hospitality passes, and parking for six. That's just $55 a game PLUS a great party to celebrate the tournament! A $2,500 or $5,000 package will also treat you like a VIP, but more importantly, will ensure a group of San Antonio's youth the opportunity to see Division I Women's Volleyball. For package details, click here.
Choose your way to the Championship today!

The children in Southside ISD weren’t sure what to think when their after-school fencing coach, Kos, started teaching them how to count in Greek. But they liked it and their warm-up sure went a lot faster! Now they know how to count in German and Spanish too.

Konstantinos Kalofonos, or Kos, joined the Sports Foundation Dreams for Youth program as a coach in 2003. Born in Berkeley, CA as the first American generation to Greek parents, Kos didn’t learn how to speak English until kindergarten. He attended American schools until his senior year in high school when his parents returned to Greece. Kos’ parents built a hotel on the Greek island of Zakynthos where he worked, and through dealing with German tourists, learned to speak their language too.

In 1998, Kos was introduced to fencing by the Greek Olympic fencing coach. The coach was offering free lessons to attract people to the sport and was given a corner of the gym at the university Kos was attending. Kos jumped at the chance to learn.

Wanting to try something new, Kos moved to San Antonio in 1999 and began attending UTSA, where he also attended fencing classes and tournaments. It was there that he met Jose Sanchez, Dreams for Youth head fencing coach.

Kos returned to Greece this summer and was at the Olympic gold medal bout when the U.S. took gold in women’s saber. Kos’ choice of San Antonio was completely random, and although he initially didn’t know a soul, he seems to have found his niche here. “I’ve fallen in love with the (fencing) program,” says Kos. While he doesn’t know what the future holds, he knows he enjoys helping kids learn the sport he loves.

Sidelines will periodically highlight businesses and organizations that provide valuable budget-relieving goods and services that enable the Sports Foundation to serve the community. We hope this gives you a different perspective on just one of the many entities that help and support our organization.

Janet Holliday
Making it Happen

The San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame, the NCAA Final Four River Rally and countless other events the Sports Foundation is associated with could not be done without the help of The CE Group; Communications & Events, which contributes time and resources. Owners Janet Holliday and Lainey Burkus started their event planning and communications company 15 years ago and have become an integral part of the success of the Sports Foundation’s events.

Janet Holliday wears several hats: volunteer extraordinaire, Sports Foundation board member and now, the co-chair of the 2005 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. She understands that sports events are good for the community, explaining that as a young company 15 years ago, she and Lainey wanted to contribute and be involved.

Under Janet’s leadership, the CE Group brings many resources to the table, allowing the Sports Foundation to stay within budget and make money for its programs. Janet points out that for 11 years the CE Group has helped keep expenses constant for the Sports Hall of Fame, which directly benefits Dreams for Youth. “We get the biggest bang for the buck because that is our expertise. Big companies can write big checks, but businesses like ours bring just as much.”

Putting expertise aside, Janet also points out giving is also a good business decision. “Giving back to the community is more than the right thing to do. If you give some, hopefully you’ll get some,” says Janet. For the Sports Foundation, the San Antonio community and the CE Group, everybody wins.

Good Luck, Keith

Former US Olympic Committee staffer Keith Ferguson stopped by the Sports Foundation offices recently on his trip across the USA. Keith has been a friend to the Sports Foundation since working with us during the U.S. Olympic Festival-’93. Thanks for stopping by, Keith, and best of luck in your future endeavors!

New and Renewing Individual Champions

Andres Andjuar; Bill Armwood; Mary Rose Brown; Mike Chapman; Don Gallian; Jack Ligon; Manny Ortiz

Champions Club
Individual Members at $1,000+

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