June 2026 S4EA Newsletter
Published monthly for athletes, families, friends, volunteers, coaches & other supporters of SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes.
Editor: Walter Jackson.
Message from S4EA Executive Director Walter Jackson
Join S4EA at Bingo Bash on Sat May 30 at S4EA office. S4EA is running our summer sports in bocce, bowling, cycling, soccer, softball, swimming & tennis. "A Taste 4 SPORTS" gala fundraiser takes place Sat June 27 from 6-9pm at the Balboa Park Club. S4EA is honoring San Diego Chargers Placekicker Rolf Benirschke as our 2026 'SPORTS Man of the Year' at "A Taste 4 SPORTS". Check out the rest of the Newsletter or call S4EA at 858-565-7432 for more information.
“A Taste 4 SPORTS” Sat June 27 at Balboa Park Club
S4EA is hosting for our members the 19th Annual "A Taste 4 SPORTS" Gala Fundraiser on Saturday, June 27th from 6-9pm at the Balboa Park Club (2150 Pan American Road West, SD 92101) featuring food & wine from 12-15 restaurants, personal chefs, caterers & wineries. S4EA is honoring former San Diego Chargers Placekicker Rolf Benirschke as our 2026 'SPORTS Man of the Year'. Mingle with notable local & celebrity figures, including Mad Mike from MTVs “Pimp My Ride”, enjoy music from the band ‘Kenny & the Jets’, and bid on an exquisite array of auction items. Reservations are $60 per person.
Sponsorship opportunities available at following levels: Platinum-$10,000, Gold-$5,000, Silver-$1,000 & Bronze-$500. Please donate gift certificates, trips, autographed sports memorabilia to enhance the auction. For more info, call 858-565-7432 or visit www.s4ea.org.
S4EA Thanks “A Taste 4 SPORTS” Food & Drink Sponsors
*AleSmith Brewing Co.
*Bread & Cie
*CaliFino Tequila
*Creative Ideas
*Guillermo's-Pepe's Street Tacos
*Haley’s Fabulous Desserts
*MC Sweet Treats
*Mimi's Kitchen
*Pick Up Stix
*Richard’s Bees
*Screaming Pete’s BBQ
Super Nova Cafe
Troy’s Authentic Greek Cuisine
Veterans Village of San Diego
We Be OB. . . & many more
* Confirmed Restaurants for 2026
S4EA Thanks “A Taste 4 SPORTS” Event Sponsors
Platinum Level
*Brian & Kimberly Cox
Gold Level
*Nick Brumbach
*SD City Firefighters #145
*Tipple Family
UDW AFSCME #3930
*Webb Family
Silver Level
Ahrens Family
*Mary & Wood Emlen
*Flam Family
*HME
*Robert Hall/Susan Woodward
*Jerry/Mary Ellen Harris Family
*Richard Harris Family
*Jackson/Snowdall Family
Job Options Inc.
*Greg Mitchell/Bill Randoll
*Rathbun Family
Yates Family
Bronze Level
Alvarez Family
*Cunningham Family
*Clara Downes
*Gillaspy Family
*Glinatsis Family
*Goldbaum Family
*Brian Miller
*Peters Family
*Jennifer Styer
Super Wash/Dry Laundromat-CV
*The Arc of San Diego
*Triad Components Group
* Confirmed Sponsors for 2026
"A Taste 4 SPORTS"
Auction & Raffle Items
Getaways to a variety of exciting locations.
Sports Memorabilia–baseball, golf, football, soccer, basketball, etc.
Gift Certificates/Tickets to local restaurants, museums, theatres, hotels, spa treatments, fun & games, whale watching, and more.
Artwork, Jewelry & many more items.
To see a list of the Taste Auction Packages, visit: www.s4ea.org/taste4sports
S4EA Board of Directors 2026-27 Election Results
Congratulations to newly elected S4EA Board of Directors.
Executive Committee
President - Ron Choularton
Vice President - Kathy Nelson
Treasurer - Skip Covell
Secretary - Diana Rathbun
At-Large - Shay Thomas
Members-At-Large
Nicole Alvarez
Joe Alvarez-Salas
Kelly Choularton
Isaac Hernandez
Matthew Rathbun
Mia Ryans
Corie Sonnenberg
Chad Zoller
S4EA Athlete Council Elects New Officers for 2026-2027
The S4EA Athlete Council had elections at S4EA Pancake Breakfast in April. Congratulations to the following officers:
President: Joe Alvarez-Salas
Vice President: Rachel Goldbaum
Treasurer: McKenzie Crossley-Cox
Secretary: Haley James
Sergeant At Arms: Isaac Hernandez
S4EA Bingo Bash Saturday May 30 at S4EA Office
SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes presents Bingo Bash on Saturday, May 30 at our S4EA Office (8380 Vickers St. #E, San Diego 92111) in Kearny Mesa from 3:30-5pm. We will play bingo outside. If you can, bring your own chair. For $10.00 per set of 5 Bingo Cards, play Bingo with families & friends. Bingo winners will receive prizes. Snacks will be provided. Call S4EA at 858-565-7432 to reserve your spot.
Athletes & Campers Enjoyed SPORTS Camp May 15-17 at Buckhorn Camp in Idyllwild
S4EA Athletes & Chaperones enjoyed the mountains at SPORTS Camp #1 on May 15-17 at Buckhorn Camp in Idyllwild. 80 campers participated in various sports (basketball, bocce, flag football, floor hockey, Ga-Ga, human foosball, lacrosse, pickleball, Quidditch, soccer, swimming, volleyball, whiffleball) and traditional camp activities (crafts, hiking, dance, ropes course, talent show). Campers spent 2 nights in cabins in the mountains at Buckhorn Camp and ate 6 camp meals in addition to all of the camp and sports activities under the guidance of 45 camp counselors/chaperones/key volunteers. On Friday we had a Dance and on Saturday we saw & listened to a lot of memorable singers & dancers at the Talent Show. Thank you to the chaperones for making sure the athletes had a great time.
S4EA Halloween SPORTS Camp #2 Oct 23-25
-Chaperones Needed
-Details Being Worked On
Volunteers ages 18 & over are needed to chaperone for Halloween SPORTS Camp #2 Oct 23-25 at Camp Marston in Julian. Family and friends are welcome to chaperone. No experience needed. Call S4EA at 858-565-7432 to chaperone.
S4EA is still working out the details with Regional Center for funding. Details & Registration Form to follow in the next month or so.
S4EA Summer Sports -
Need Volunteer Coaches
S4EA needs volunteer coaches this summer for the following sports:
Bocce
-
San Diego City-Tue from 5:30-7pm at Morley Bocce Courts Jul 7-Sep 15
-
North County-Thu from 5:30-7pm at Brengle Terrace Park or Downstown IV Jul 16-Sep 17
Soccer
-
San Diego City-Mon from 5:45-8pm at Park de la Cruz Jun 15-Aug 24
-
South Bay-Fri from 6:30-7:30pm at Robert Egger Sr./South Bay Rec Ctr Jun 12-Aug 28
Softball
-
San Diego City-Wed from 5:45-8:30pm at Park de la Cruz Jul 8-Sep 9
-
South Bay-Fri from 5-6:30pm at Robert Egger Sr./South Bay Rec Ctr Jun 12-Sep 11
Swimming
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South Bay-Thu from 5:30-7:30pm at Las Palmas Pool Jun 4-Aug 27
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San Diego City-Fri from 7-8pm at Copley YMCA Apr 10-Dec 18
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East County-Sat from 10-11:30am at La Mesa Pool Jun 20-Aug 29
Tennis
-
San Diego City-Mon from 6:30-7:30pm at Barnes Tennis Center Jun 1-Aug 31
If interested in volunteer coaching, to get a Volunteer Application, or for more information, please call S4EA at 858-565-7432.
SD Parks & Recreation - Therapeutic Rec. Services
San Diego Parks & Recreation (SDP&R) – Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS) provides therapeutic recreation programs for children and adults with any type of disability. SDP&R-TRS is co-sponsoring S4EA activities at SD City Facilities so that S4EA athletes and volunteers also need to register with SDP&R-TRS. S4EA athletes need to either register on-line with SDRecConnect.com or register at the first practice with SDP&R-TRS. The facilities that S4EA uses in the summer are Park de la Cruz-Soccer Mon (Code: 132126), Morley Field Bocce Courts-Bocce Tue (Code: 132127) & Park de la Cruz Softball Field-Softball Wed (Code: 132128 ).
S4EA Summer Sports Festival Aug 15 at Park de la Cruz
S4EA is bringing back the popular Summer Sports Festival on Saturday, August 15th to be held at Park de la Cruz (3901 Landis St., San Diego 92105) from 10am-3pm. Play a variety of sports such as Basketball, Bocce, Flag Football, Floor Hockey, Futsal, Lacrosse, Pickleball, Quidditch, Soccer, Softball & Volleyball. The picnic will also include lunch, music, relay races, fun & games, party time & socializing with friends & family.
The SPORTS Festival is sponsored by SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes and co-sponsored by San Diego Parks & Recreation – Therapeutic Recreation Services (code: 132151). Athletes with developmental disabilities, families, friends, coaches, volunteers, supporters, and others in the community are invited to play in our Sports Festival/Picnic. Join in the fun & games! Play as many sports as you want. There is no cost. To sign up or for more information, call SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes at 858-565-7432.
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S4EA Summer Season
Sport Practices
Bocce
Tue 5:30-7:00pm Morley Bocce Ct (2221 Morley Field Dr, SD 92104) Jul 7-Sep 15 [League] (Code: 132127)
Thu (?) 5:30-7pm Tent.Loc. Downstown IV (2248 Tierra Verde Rd, Vista 92084) or Brengle Terrace Park Jul 16-Sep 17
Bowling
Sat 11am-1pm (?) Lucky Strike (845 Lazo Ct, CV 91910) Tent. Start Date Sep 12-Apr 24-$9 for 2 games [League]
Sun Jun 7 & 21 10:45am-12:20pm Mira Mesa Lanes (8210 Mira Mesa Blvd, SD 92126) -$5 per bowler per hour+, generally every other Sunday. Dates are subject to change. Please contact cathysturdivant@yahoo.com to confirm.
Saturdays 1:15-3:30pm May 30-De Anza Cove (Parking lot north end near Hwy 5) Santa Fe Bike Trail, Jun 6-Liberty Station ferry 2pm to Coronado, return 4:15, Jun 13-Sorrento Valley Park/Ride Ride on Route 56 Bike Trail, Jun 20-Tidelands Park, Coronado ride Strand/Yacht Club, Jun 27-Miramar Lake around lake X 2 [see calendar, S4EA website, coach or call S4EA at 858-565-7432 for more info]
Soccer
Mon 5:45-8:00pm Park de la Cruz (3901 Landis St, SD 92105) Jun 15-Aug 24 not Jun 29 [League] (Code: 132126)
Fri 6:30-7:30pm Robert Egger Sr-South Bay Rec Ctr (1885 Coronado Ave, SD 92154) Jun 12-Aug 28 not 6/19
Wed 5:45-8:30pm Park de la Cruz (3901 Landis St., SD 92105) Jul 8-Sep 9 [League Play](Code: 132128)
Fri 5:00-6:30pm Robert Egger Sr-South Bay Rec Ctr (1885 Coronado Ave, SD 92154) Jun 12-Sep 11 not 6/19
Thu 5:30-7:30pm Las Palmas Pool (1800 E 22nd St, NC 91950) $20/month Jun 4-Aug 27 (Non-Swim 5:30-6:30pm/Swimmers 6:30-7:30pm)
Fri 7:00-8:00pm Copley YMCA (4300 El Cajon Blvd, SD 92105) Apr 10-Dec 18 [swimmers only]
Sat 10:00-11:30am La Mesa Pool (5100 Memorial Dr, LM 91942) Jun 20-Aug 29 not Jul 4&18-$5/session(swim only)
Mon 6:30-7:30pm Barnes Tennis Center (4490 W. Point Loma Blvd., SD 92107) Jun 1-Aug 31 not Jun 29 & Aug 10
Workout-Hikes/Exercise
Limitless Adventures is a volunteer-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides outdoor recreational experiences for people with disabilities. Their current programming consists of hikes and other activities & operates within the Greater San Diego Area. For more info, go to: https://www.limitless-adventures.org/ -Upcoming events: Yoga-June 6
Summer Sports - Call S4EA at 858-565-7432 to confirm or for more info.
S4EA Tournament & Event Dates
May 30 3:30-5pm S4EA Bingo Bash - S4EA Office
Jun 27 6-9pm S4EA "A Taste 4 SPORTS" - Balboa Park Club
Jul 18 9am-3pm Windansea Day at the Beach - La Jolla Shores Beach
Aug 8 8am-1pm S4EA Swim Meet - St. Madeleine Sophie's Center
Aug 15 10am-3pm S4EA/TRS Summer Sports Festival - Park de la Cruz
Aug 30 9am-4pm S4EA Soccer Tournament - Morley Field, Balboa Park
Sep 13 9am-5pm S4EA Softball & Tennis Tournament - Morley Field, Balboa Park
Oct 23-25 Fr 4:30pm-Su12pm S4EA Halloween SPORTS Camp - Camp Marston in Julian
