U.S. Open Honors Andre Agassi's Off-Court Work
Opening night of the 2009 U.S. Open featured a special ceremony honoring tennis legend and U.S. Open Champion, Andre Agassi, as well as former soccer star, Mia Hamm, football quarterback, Doug Flutie and NBA star, David Robinson, all of whom have made significant contributions “outside the court.” Agassi, who collected eight Grand Slam titles and also
achieved a “career slam” by winning each of the Grand Slams at least once, founded the Andre Agassi Foundation in 1994 at the age of twenty-four, the same year that he won his first U.S. Open title. Agassi, who played his final match in Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2006, owns the Open era record of 21 consecutive U.S. Open appearances.
Hamm established the Mia Hamm Foundation to raise funds and awareness for bone marrow transplants in honor of her brother Garrett, who passed away from complications of a bone marrow disease. In honor of his son, Doug, Jr., Flutie established the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism in 1998 and has raised $11 million to provide families of children with autism a place to turn when they are in need of support and autism resources. The Hamm foundation also supports programs and initiatives for young women in sports. Robinson founded the Carver Academy in Texas, which offers elementary-age children "an education of excellence" regardless of race, creed or financial status. On Monday night, the USTA also recognized the 40th Anniversary of the National Junior Tennis and Learning Network (NJTL), which was founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder to develop the character of young people through tennis and education.
“Every child is at risk of excellence…” those were the words of one of the graduates of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy which Agassi repeated at the ceremony on Monday night. The Andre Agassi Foundation, which has raised nearly $75 million to provide opportunities to underserved youth, is dedicated to transforming public education in the United States through practice, policy and partnerships. In June, all 34 students in the first senior class graduated from the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and will be attending college. How fitting that Agassi was honored for his contributions to education in a stadium named after a tennis legend, Arthur Ashe, who is remembered as much if not more, for his work as a humanitarian than for his Grand Slam titles.
Hamm established the Mia Hamm Foundation to raise funds and awareness for bone marrow transplants in honor of her brother Garrett, who passed away from complications of a bone marrow disease. In honor of his son, Doug, Jr., Flutie established the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism in 1998 and has raised $11 million to provide families of children with autism a place to turn when they are in need of support and autism resources. The Hamm foundation also supports programs and initiatives for young women in sports. Robinson founded the Carver Academy in Texas, which offers elementary-age children "an education of excellence" regardless of race, creed or financial status. On Monday night, the USTA also recognized the 40th Anniversary of the National Junior Tennis and Learning Network (NJTL), which was founded in 1969 by Arthur Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder to develop the character of young people through tennis and education.
“Every child is at risk of excellence…” those were the words of one of the graduates of the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy which Agassi repeated at the ceremony on Monday night. The Andre Agassi Foundation, which has raised nearly $75 million to provide opportunities to underserved youth, is dedicated to transforming public education in the United States through practice, policy and partnerships. In June, all 34 students in the first senior class graduated from the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and will be attending college. How fitting that Agassi was honored for his contributions to education in a stadium named after a tennis legend, Arthur Ashe, who is remembered as much if not more, for his work as a humanitarian than for his Grand Slam titles.
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Hats off to Andre Agassi, Mia Hamm, Doug Flutie and David Robinson for their off court humanitarian activities.
Posted by: Dr. Cajetan Coelho | September 5, 2009 12:46 PM