San Antonio Sports Foundation

While the Sports Foundation works diligently to build a city of champions, the real champions took the stage on February 10th as part of the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute. Each member of the Hall assumes his or her rightful place, but this year’s class was a very special one. Congratulations again to the 2005 inductees: Ross Davis, Gabe Rivera, Stacey Johnson, Bill Rogers, Reuben Reina and Jim Wacker.

The suspense already begins to loom! Who will be included in the class of 2006? Don’t miss the action. The San Antonio Express-News will print nomination forms during June-July for the public to nominate candidates who have not been previously nominated. Stay tuned.

We thank our Sports Hall of Fame partners for their continued support and involvement. Kudos to the San Antonio Express-News headed by Publisher and CEO, Larry Walker and the City of San Antonio anchored by our very supportive Mayor, Ed Garza.

The San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame is a huge success due in large part to the San Antonio Sports Foundation Board of Directors under the direction of our volunteer committee chairpersons. These individuals donate their valuable time and resources to making this event more incredible every year. From the bottom on my heart thanks to the team that makes this event happen: Janet Holliday, Madeline Harlan, Liz Fritz, Rick Smith, and Bonnie Munroe. Their committees and many, many vendors are the arms and legs behind this huge effort.

I join our chairman George Becknell in also publicly praising the Sports Foundation staff that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support our cast of volunteers. We are fortunate to have such a great and experienced team.

We look forward to another blast from the past next year as we celebrate the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame class of 2006!

The 2005 San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute was spectacular. More than 1,000 people turned out to honor inductees Ross Davis, Gabe Rivera, Stacey Johnson, Bill Rogers, Reuben Reina and Jim Wacker. Thanks to all our attendees, the event netted about $90,000 for the Sports Foundation’s Dreams for Youth program. Many folks walked away with spectacular finds from the silent auction. Here are some fun photos to help you relive the evening.

If you missed the 2005 San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute, you’ll have another chance! Time Warner Cable will feature highlights of the Sports Hall Of Fame ceremony on San Antonio on demand channel 988 starting Saturday, February 19. This is a free service for Time Warner Cable digital customers. A sincere thank you to Time Warner Cable for offering this service and for its production support during the event.

The Sports Foundation is pleased to announce that Whataburger has signed on as the title sponsor for the Sports Foundation’s 2005 Roundball Ruckus for the second year. Now called the Whataburger Roundball Ruckus, the event is a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for children and adults at all skill levels. Scheduled for April 23-24 at the Alamodome, the event takes place the last weekend of Fiesta.

Teams may register now online at www.SanAntonioSports.org. The entry fee is $100 for up to five players. So sign up now and get your game on!

A big thanks goes out to Spurs Sports & Entertainment’s Russ Bookbinder and Valero Energy Corporation’s Lee Rahmberg for stepping up to the plate to co-chair San Antonio Local Organizing Committee’s marketing and fundraising committee for the 2005 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship.

In addition to their expertise in their corporate environments, both Lee and Russ are quite familiar with our target fan base as both have daughters who play competitive youth volleyball and have been spectators at their fair share of club volleyball tournaments. We know they will take the marketing efforts for this Championship to a new level!

All the more reason to get your tickets today before the marketing committee sells out the Alamodome on December 15 and 17! Great seats are still available at the very affordable price of $45 for a tournament pass. Just click here to get your tickets today.

If you are interested in a package that includes priority seating, hospitality and parking, call Jenny Carnes at (210) 820-2104 or click here for options.

It’s your LAST chance to purchase tickets for the Love of Kids & Harleys Night and watch the Spurs take on the Utah Jazz on Sunday, March 6 at 6 p.m. The Spurs are supporting the children in the Sports Foundation’s Dreams for Youth program and other area charities by donating $8-10 from every ticket to their programs. Tickets are nearly gone, so call 444-5886 NOW to reserve your seats. You will receive a voucher for a FREE hot dog, soda and ice cream with every ticket purchased. Come early for the pre-game Harley rally at the SBC center and watch the special retirement ceremony for Sean Elliott’s #32 jersey!

Saturday, February 26, marks the 21st annual running of the UTSA Diploma Dash 5K Run/City Championship Race and Fitness Walk. The presenting sponsor is Argonaut Group, Inc. The run supports scholarships for UTSA athletes and other students and takes place on a certified course around the UTSA campus. Fitness walkers will enjoy a scenic 1.5 mile course. Cash prizes, compliments of RUMBO de San Antonio, will be awarded for the top three men and women along with running shoes compliments of Roger Soler's Sports. Master's men's and women's division will also receive prizes. Thirteen age groups receive medals. The Corporate Team Challenge is sponsored by the San Antonio Express-News, and new this year are the Clydesdale and Filly divisions.

Come cold, damp drizzle or shine, 50 hardy children are learning the fundamentals of tennis in the first of two sessions offered by the San Antonio Sports Foundation this spring. Head Coach John Roddick and his assistants will lead participants through the basics, including proper grip and “ready position,” progressing to forehand and backhand strokes before the five-week session ends.

Tennis was successfully offered for the first time last fall, and the goal is to establish a strong grassroots program and build upon it. Lessons are held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. or 5:00-6:00 p.m. at Fairchild Center Tennis Courts, 1214 E. Crockett. The cost is $35 for the five-week session and equipment is provided.

The Sports Foundation is now accepting registration for a second five-week session, beginning March 22, 2005.

Coach John Roddick is a former world-ranked professional tennis player who owns Roddick/Moros International Tennis Academy. Roddick was a four-time All-American at the University of Georgia and is the older brother of current #2 world-ranked pro Andy Roddick.

The San Antonio Sports Foundation has been chosen as a provider in the Greater San Antonio After-School All-Stars program in Edgewood ISD. The mission of After-School All-Stars is to provide opportunities for inner-city youth to participate in sports, educational, cultural and community enrichment programs, to build confidence and self-esteem, to encourage youth to say “no” to gangs, drugs and violence and “yes” to hope, learning and life.

The Sports Foundation will provide training in three sports: fencing, badminton and volleyball in the Edgewood ISD. The San Antonio After-School All-Stars program in cooperation with the school district received a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant to fund the program in five locations—three elementary and two middle schools.

“The Sports Foundation is pleased to partner with other community groups that share our commitment to providing opportunities for children in San Antonio,” said Dr. Susan Blackwood, Sports Foundation executive director. “Their young minds and bodies will be strengthened by participation in this comprehensive after-school program.”

In addition to sports-specific training, children will be offered tutoring, and programs in art, music, physical education and fitness, and technology education programs. Additionally, families of students have an opportunity for literacy and related educational development.

Bon Voyage, Nancy

March 1 is the last day Nancy Christensen will serve as the Sports Foundation’s volunteer coordinator before her much-deserved retirement. She wanted to share some thoughts will all the friends of the San Antonio Sports Foundation.

“I want to thank the board of Directors, the staff and most especially the volunteers of the San Antonio Sports Foundation for allowing me to be a part of this organization. These past years have been wonderful, busy and a blessing for me. The volunteers have made my job so easy. They are the best and always will be. There is no way I could have done my job without the help and support the volunteers have shown to me and the Sports Foundation. I wish each of you the very best in your future endeavors.

Thanks again for having me!

Nancy”

Sports Foundation Appoints New Staff

The Sports Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two individuals to our staff.

Donna Browne has accepted the position of volunteer coordinator, stepping into the role of the soon-to-be-retired Nancy Christensen. Donna worked with the Sports Foundation as an intern in 2001 and has since been a substitute teacher and a certified official with the U.S. Triathlon Federation. Donna, who completed the Ironman Florida triathlon on her 50th birthday last November, says she is passionate about education and athletics and feels she’s found a good match at the Sports Foundation. “I love the Sports Foundation’s connection with the community and look forward to being a part of the team,” she says. Donna may be reached at dbrowne@sanantoniosports.org.

Gretchen Garceau-Kragh has been hired as a grants writer. A valuable Sports Foundation volunteer for many months, Gretchen played a very important role in the success of the recent Sports Hall of Fame Tribute. She has an MBA in Sport Management from the University of the Incarnate Word and has been a certified athletic trainer for 14 years. A native of Connecticut, Gretchen moved to San Antonio with her husband who is an Army doctor stationed at Ft. Sam Houston. Gretchen will focus on securing private and government grants to support the Sports Foundation’s programs and youth initiatives. She welcomes any leads! Feel free to contact her at gkragh@sanantoniosports.org.

Join the Team!

Be a true Champion, and become a member of the San Antonio Sports Foundation today. From $50 to $1500, each membership level receives lots of goodies, including access to member-only events and ticket opportunities.

Click here to join online or call 210-820-2100 and we’ll sign you, your friend or family member up today!