News & Events

January 2009

Published Monthly for Athletes, Families, Friends, Volunteers, Coaches & Other Supporters of SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes. Editor: Walter Jackson.

SPORTS Camp May 1st at Green Oak Ranch in Vista

The 1st Annual SPORTS Camp will be held from Friday, May 1st at 1pm to Sunday, May 3rd at 4pm at Green Oak Ranch (1237 Green Oak Road, Vista 92081). SPORTS Camp involves sports (baseball, basketball, bocce, bowling, flag football, soccer, softball, swimming, table tennis, volleyball) and traditional camp activities (campfire, crafts, fishing, gold panning, haywagon, hiking, horseshoes, nature center, talent show) at a camp in rural Vista (just 30-40 minutes from San Diego). Athletes will spend 2 nights in 12-person cabins at Green Oak Ranch and eat 6 camp meals in addition to all of the camp and sports activities under the guidance of camp counselors/chaperones. Persons with developmental disabilities, families, friends, volunteers, coaches, and supporters are all welcome to join SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes at the SPORTS Camp. The Registration Fee is $80 which covers the cost of 2 nights lodging, 6 meals, and camp supplies. A deposit of $20 will reserve your spot in the SPORTS Camp.

For more information or to get a SPORTS Camp Registration Form, please call the S4EA office at (858)565-7432. Or, click here!

Athlete Council Announces SPORTS Camp Patch Design Contest

Calling all artists!!

  • Athletes/Campers submit a patch design for 2009 SPORTS Camp!
  • Patches can be any shape - round, square, rectangle, oval, triangle, cabin shape, tree shape, etc.
  • Images might include cabins, trees, sports images, campers, etc.
  • Designs should be
  • - "Simple" and easily reproducible
  • - Include the words: S4EA or SPORTS Camp
  • - Approximately 2"X3" in final size
  • - Use 3-6 colors
  • Athletes can submit a larger design, which will be shrunk down to size
  • Design entries are due by March 2nd to the S4EA office
  • The Athlete Council will select the winning patch design at the Athlete Council Meeting on March 13th to be shown at the St. Patrick's Dance that evening at St. Madeleine Sophie's Center.
  • Design winner will receive special recognition at SPORTS Camp.
SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes Tournament/Event Dates
Date Location
Dec 29 Holiday Bowl Parade - Harbor Drive in downtown San Diego Map it!
Dec 31 S4EA New Year's Eve SPORTS Day - Southwestern College Map it!
Jan 31 ARC-CAL County Bowling Tournament - Lake Forest, Orange County Map it!
Feb 17-19 S4EA Winter Games (Cross Country Skiing/Snowshoeing) at Cedar Lake in Big Bear Map it!
Feb 28 ARC-CAL District Bowling Tournament - Lake Forest, Orange County Map it!
Mar 7 S4EA Law Enforcement Challenge 'Guacamole Bowl' - Balboa Park Club Map it!
Mar 13 S4EA St. Patrick's Dance - St. Madeleine Sophie's Center Map it!
Mar 14 S4EA Track Meet - Sweetwater High School Map it!
Mar 21 S4EA Basketball Tournament - Francis Parker School Map it!
Apr 18-19 S4EA Ice Skating Meet - Ice Castle International Training Center, Lake Arrowhead Map it!
May 1-3 S4EA SPORTS Camp - Green Oak Ranch. Vista Map it!
May 30 S4EA Floor Hockey Tournament - 4S Ranch Community Park/Boys & Girls Club, Rancho Bernardo Map it!
Jul 23 S4EA 'A Taste 4 SPORTS' Gala Fundraising Event-Bayview Room at Marina Village Map it!

S4EA Basketball

The S4EA Basketball program gets underway in January.

San Diego City basketball practices are held on Tuesdays from 5:30-8:30pm at the Mid-City Gym (4302 Landis St., San Diego 92105) starting January 6th. Basketball teams are being formed for league play.

The Juniors ages 5-18 hold basketball practices every Thursday at the Kearny Mesa Recreation Center (3170 Armstrong, San Diego 92117) from 4-5:30pm starting January 15th.

South Bay basketball practices are held on Mondays from 6-7:30pm at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chula Vista (1301 Oleander, Chula Vista 91911) starting January 5th.

East County has basketball practices tentatively scheduled on Thursdays from 6-7:30pm at the Bostonia Recreation Center (1049 Bostonia, El Cajon 92021) starting January 8th. Call S4EA at 858-565-7432 to confirm.

North San Diego basketball practices are held on Thursdays from 6-8pm at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Vista (410 W. California, Vista 92083) starting January 8th.

Francis Parker School is hosting the S4EA Basketball Tournament on Saturday, March 21st.

S4EA Bowling

A bowling league takes place every Saturday from 9-11am at the Brunswick Premier Lanes (845 Lazo Court, Chula Vista 91910).

213 bowlers competed in the S4EA Bowling Tournament December 7th at the 32nd St. Naval Station. Thank you HD Supply Facilities Maintenance for sponsoring the tournament for $10,000. The athletes loved the bowling shirts, lunches, and the awards.

S4EA bowlers can register for an extra fee to compete in the ARC-CAL State Bowling Program. The ARC-CAL County Bowling Tournament is on Saturday, January 31st at the Forest Lanes (22771 Centre Dr. Lake Forest, CA 92630) in Orange County. Some bowlers will then qualify for the ARC-CAL District 11 Bowling Tournament on Saturday, February 28th at the Forest Lanes in Orange County and the ARC-CAL State Bowling Tournament in May.

S4EA Golf

S4EA Golfers practice ever Sunday from 1:00-2:30pm at the following locations:

Sheraton 4 Points (8110 Aero Drive, San Diego 92123) on the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Sunday of each month.

Stadium Golf Center (2990 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego 92123) on the 2nd Sunday of each month.

Sail Ho Golf Course (2960 Truxton Road, San Diego 92106) for advanced golfers on the 3rd and 4th Sunday of each month.

For more information on the golf program, contact head coach John Klein (PGA Golf Professional) at 619-980-2018.

S4EA Ice Skating

The S4EA Ice Skating program consists of figure skating and speed skating. Ice Skating practices are held every Wednesday from 7:15-8:15pm at The Salvation Army Kroc Center (6845 University Ave., San Diego 92115).

The Scripps Ranch Ice Skating practices are held every Wednesday from 3-5pm at the San Diego Ice Arena (11048 Ice Skate Place, San Diego 92126) and every Thursday from 3:30-5pm at the University Towne Center (4545 La Jolla Village Dr., San Diego 92122).

The S4EA Ice Skating Meet is scheduled for April 18-19th at the Ice Castle International Training Center in Lake Arrowhead.

S4EA Swimming

Swim practices will resume January 13th on Tuesdays from 5-7pm at The Salvation Army Kroc Center (6845 University Ave., SD 92115).

Swim practices will resume January 16th on Fridays from 3-5pm at the Copley YMCA (3901 Landis St., San Diego 92105).

S4EA Table Tennis

Table tennis, also known as ping pong, is scheduled in January and February at the Balboa Park Activity Center (2125 Park Blvd., San Diego 92101) on Mondays from 6-7pm starting January 12th. Due to the budget cuts for San Diego City, the January 5th practice has probably been canceled, but the San Diego Table Tennis Association is going to try to start practices on January 12th. To confirm in January before 1st practice, call the S4EA office at 858-565-7432. Thank you to the San Diego Table Tennis Association who has agreed to coach and run our practices.

S4EA Track

The S4EA Track & Field program gets underway in January.

The South Bay track program has practices scheduled every Saturday from 10am-12noon at Sweetwater High School (2900 Highland Ave., National City 91950) starting January 10th.

The San Diego City/East County program has track practices tentatively scheduled at Helix High School (7323 University Ave., La Mesa 91941) every Sunday from 8-10am starting January 11th. To confirm in January before 1st practice, call the S4EA office at 858-565-7432.

The S4EA Track Meet is scheduled for March 14th at Sweetwater High School (2900 Highland Ave., National City 91950).

S4EA Walking Club

The Walking Club at Lake Murray (near Lake Murray Blvd. & Baltimore Dr. on Kiowa Dr., La Mesa 91942) meets every Monday and Thursday from 4-5pm. Meet at the main parking lot. For more information in the Walking Club at Lake Murray, call Russ at 619-992-0164.

S4EA Winter Snow Sports - Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Dry land conditioning practices for cross country skiing and snowshoeing are tentatively scheduled on Thursdays from 6-7:30pm at The Salvation Army Kroc Center (6845 University Ave., San Diego 92115) starting January 8th. Call S4EA at 858-565-7432 to confirm.

The S4EA Winter Games (cross country skiing and snowshoeing) to be held February 17-19 at Cedar Lake in Big Bear has a Registration Fee of $80 to cover food and lodging ($20 deposit to reserve your spot).

S4EA Winter Season Sports Practices

Athletes and volunteer coaches come join us in the following winter sports:

BASKETBALL
Tuesdays from 5:30-8:30pm at Mid-City Gym (4302 Landis St., San Diego 92105) starting January 6-League Play

Thursdays from 4-5:30pm at Kearny Mesa Rec. Ctr. (3170 Armstrong, San Diego) for Juniors 5-18 starting January 15

Mondays from 6-7:30pm at Boys & Girls Clubs of Chula Vista (1301 Oleander, Chula Vista 91911) starting January 5

Thursdays from 6-7:30pm at Bostonia Recreation Center (1049 Bostonia, El Cajon 92021) starting January 8 (tentative)

Thursdays from 6-8pm at Boys & Girls Clubs of Vista (410 W. California Ave., Vista 92083) starting January 8

BOWLING
Saturdays from 9-11am at Brunswick Premier Lanes (845 Lazo Ct., Chula Vista 91910) - $5.00 for 2 games

GOLF
1st/3rd/4th Sunday of each month from 1-2:30pm at Sheraton 4 Points (8110 Aero Dr., San Diego 92123)-$6/week

2nd Sunday of each month from 1-2:30pm at Stadium Golf Center (2990 Murphy Canyon Rd., SD 92123)-Free

3rd/4th Sun of each month for advanced golfers from 1-2:30pm at Sail Ho Golf Course (2960 Truxton Rd, SD)-$10/wk

ICE SKATING (FIGURE/SPEED)
Wednesdays from 3-5pm at SD Ice Arena (11048 Ice Skate Place, San Diego 92126)

Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm at University Towne Center (4545 La Jolla Village Dr., SD 92122)

Wednesdays from 7:15-8:15pm at TSA Kroc Center (6845 University Ave, SD 92115) - $3 per session

SWIMMING
Tuesdays from 5-7pm at TSA Kroc Center (6845 University Ave., San Diego 92115) starting January 13 - $3.50 per session

Fridays from 3-5pm at Copley YMCA (3901 Landis St, San Diego 92105) starting January 16 - $1 per session

TABLE TENNIS
Mondays from 6-7pm at Balboa Park Activity Center (2125 Park Blvd., San Diego 92101) starting January 12 (tentative)

TRACK
Saturdays from 10am-12noon at Sweetwater H.S. (2900 Highland Ave., National City 91950) starting January 10

Sundays from 8-10am at Helix High School (7323 University Ave., La Mesa 91941) starting January 11 (tentative)

WALKING
Mondays & Thursdays from 4-5pm at Lake Murray (near Lake Murray Blvd. & Kiowa Dr., La Mesa 91942)

WINTER SNOW SPORTS (CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING)
Thursdays from 6-7:30pm at The Salvation Army Kroc Center (6845 University Ave., San Diego 92115) starting January 8 (tentative)

Law Enforcement Challenge "Guacamole Bowl" March 7 to Benefit S4EA

The 6th Annual Law Enforcement Challenge "Guacamole Bowl" will be held on Saturday, March 7th from 10am-2:30pm at the Balboa Park Club. The Guacamole Bowl is expected to attract more than 1,000 guests who will taste guacamole from more than 25 teams and will help determine who makes the best guacamole. The public is invited to attend for $5.

Teams compete in Law Enforcement, Media, Professional, and Open Divisions. To enter a team, the Entry Fee is $25. Each division has sponsorships opportunities, from $50 for an Entertainment Sponsor up to $7,500 for the Championship Round Sponsor. The proceeds benefit S4EA.

Call 858-565-7432 for more information or click here.

Support S4EA When You Shop at Albertsons, Ralphs & Food 4 Less

Albertsons, Ralphs & Food 4 Less make donations based on a percentage of the expenditures of registered shoppers - at no cost to you!

Albertsons: You can link your Preferred Savings Card (available at check-out counter) to SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes by going on-line to www.albertsonscp.com (Community Partners page). Our group ID is 49001014327.
*** If you have already linked your Preferred Savings Card to S4EA, you will need to go to the website and re-link in order for us to continue earning funds after Feb 28, 2009. ***

Ralphs: You can participate in Ralph's Community Contribution Program by linking your Ralph's Rewards card (available at check-out) to SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes (NPO # 91123). Simply go to www.ralphs.com, click Services then click on School Programs, then on Community Contributions LEARN MORE and finally click on Participant ENROLL. Then follow the easy online directions. If you use your phone number at the register, call 800-660-9003 to get your REWARDS Card number (you'll need it to complete the link).

Food 4 Less: Request a Community Rewards Card from SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes. Then register your card online at www.food4less.com, click on community rewards, then participants. Follow the easy online directions. Our NPO # is 91123 (same as Ralph's). For the past couple of weeks the Food 4 Less website has been rejecting all card numbers, but they are working on it.

S4EA Athlete Council Activities

200 people attended the S4EA Holiday Party on December 14th at the Eagles Lodge. The spaghetti dinner was absolutely delicious. Santa was a big hit with our athletes - getting a keep-sake picture with Santa & a gift. The Christmas music and room decorations helped get everyone into the Christmas spirit. The athletes loved the dance. Thank you Fraternal order of Eagles for the fantastic Holiday Party.

The 2008 Holiday Bowl Parade takes place Monday, December 29th from 9-11am along Harbor Drive. Marching in the parade is S4EA athletes representing each of our 21 sports alongside two-time Olympic gold medalist Monique Henderson. Meet in front of the County Admin. Bldg. near Harbor Dr. & Grape St. at 8am or carpooling from the S4EA office at 7:15am. To participate, call S4EA at 858-565-7432.

The S4EA New Year's Eve SPORTS Day is taking place on December 31st from 9am-3:30pm at Southwestern College (900 Otay Lakes Rd., Chula Vista). We are playing various sports throughout the day including tennis, racquetball, bocce, flag football, soccer, and softball.

The St. Patrick's Dance will take place on Friday, March 13th at St. Madeleine Sophie's Center (2119 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon 92019).

How To Register In S4EA

If you are interested in becoming an athlete in SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes, please call the S4EA Office at 858-565-7432 and we will mail you a Registration Packet. You can also download registration information directly from the SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes website at www.s4ea.org. The Registration Fee is $20 per sport (scholarships available). S4EA offers 21 sports: baseball, basketball, bocce, bowling, cross country skiing, cycling, figure/speed skating, flag football, floor hockey, golf, sailing, snowshoeing, soccer, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track, volleyball, and walking.

SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes (S4EA) is a sports program serving athletes with developmental disabilities ages 5 through adult in San Diego County. In team sports, teams may be made up of athletes with developmental disabilities, families, friends, and others in the community who want to play on inclusive teams.

S4EA Needs Your Help

SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes is a volunteer-based community-wide program that needs your help:

  • To serve as coach, event organizer, fundraiser, sports official, or other worker.
  • To provide sports facilities, equipment, meals, and other in-kind services.
  • To provide operating funds for the SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes program here in San Diego County. SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (ID # 20-8886536). Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.
  • To donate a vehicle to S4EA, call toll free 877-537-5277; free pick-up; tax receipt provided; and no smog certificate required.

Volunteers are needed as coaches for the Winter Sports Season in basketball, bowling, cross country skiing, golf, ice skating, snowshoeing, swimming, table tennis, track & field, and walking. You do not need any prior experience in the sport or working with persons with developmental disabilities, just a desire to help. Head coaches run the practices, while assistant coaches help the athletes under the direction of the head coach in teaching the athletes various sports skills. Volunteers also act as scorekeepers and timers in the team sports. Coaches spend 2-3 hours weekly for a 3 month period. Call S4EA Office at 858-565-7432 to get involved.



SPORTS - Special Program Opportunities in Recreation, Teamwork, and Sports

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!