December 2025 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
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Join S4EA at Holiday Party on Sun Dec 14 at Eagles Aerie. S4EA is running our fall sports in bowling, floor hockey & pickleball. S4EA opens our winter sports (basketball, bowling, track & winter sports conditioning) in Jan. The Guacamole Bowl is set for Sat March 21, 2026 from 10am-2pm at the Balboa Park Club. "A Taste 4 SPORTS" gala fundraiser takes place Sat June 27 from 6-9pm at the Balboa Park Club. Check out the rest of the Newsletter or call S4EA at 858-565-7432 for more information.​
S4EA Bowling Tourn. Dec 13
Shop Holidays with S4EA Gifts
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The S4EA Bowling Tourn.is scheduled for Sat Dec 13 from 8am-12:30pm at Lucky Strike Chula Vista. S4EA athletes that have a bowling average can enter Bowling Tourn. by calling S4EA at 858-565-7432.
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Support S4EA and find your holiday gifts by buying S4EA merchandise
(hats, t-shirts, hoodies, bags, etc.) at the Bowling Tournament.
S4EA Holiday Party Sunday Dec 14th at Eagles Aerie
Come join in the festivities at the S4EA Holiday Party sponsored by Eagles Aerie and SDGivE 'Season of Giving' on Sunday, December 14th from 4-6:30pm at the Eagles Aerie (3848 Centre Street at University Ave., San Diego 92103). Activities include music, dancing, caroling, spaghetti dinner, visit by Santa & a gift exchange (please bring a gift-maximum value $10). No cost. RSVP to S4EA at 858-565-7432 by December 9th.
S4EA Executive Director Thanks Athletes, Vols & Donors for your Support in 2025
S4EA Executive Director, Walter Jackson, thanks our athletes, families, friends, volunteers, coaches, and other supporters for your help in making 2025 an exceptional year for the SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes sports program. We started our program 18 ½ years ago to create enhanced opportunities for people with and without disabilities to interact and form lasting bonds of friendship through shared sports and recreational activities in their community. We offer over 20 sports in 4 sports seasons to 1,400 athletes with developmental disabilities. Over 100 coaches help our athletes at practices, league play, and tournaments. Over 200 meet volunteers assist with timing, scoring, buddies, lunch, set-up, take-down, first-aid . . . and everything else that needs to be done at tournaments. Over 1,000 donors have given financial support to help make this a great program. S4EA had 2 SPORTS Camps in 2025 – Camp Marston in Julian in April and Pine Valley Camp in August. Thank you for your support. Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season & I look forward to seeing you in 2026.
S4EA Guacamole Bowl Saturday March 21 at Balboa Park Club
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Taste delicious guacamole from 15-20 teams at the 23rd annual Law Enforcement Challenge "Guacamole Bowl" fundraiser on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10:00am until 2:00pm at the Balboa Park Club (2144 Pan American Road West, San Diego 92101). Teams compete in Law Enforcement, Champions, and Open Divisions. To enter a team, fill out & return the Guacamole Registration Form & Entry Fee of $25.
Bring family and friends as the $8 admission pays membership fee and gets you a bag of Mission Tortilla chips & all the guacamole you can eat. You also have the opportunity to vote for your favorite recipe and select the finalists in each division. For more information, call S4EA at 858-565-7432.
Giving Tuesday on Dec 2 – Support S4EA
Giving Tuesday is a movement to create an international day of giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season. It is touted as a "global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world".
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Celebrate the holiday season with the most meaningful gift, a donation to SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes. Be a part of the global generosity movement, Giving Tuesday. We hope you'll consider supporting SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes today! Your donation today will fund our athletes in winter sports, including basketball, bowling, track & winter sports conditioning practices & meets.
SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (ID # 20-8886536). S4EA offers over 20 sports for athletes with developmental disabilities ages 5 through adult in San Diego.
2025 S4EA In-Kind Sponsor
Wall of Fame
Major In-Kind Supporters
AleSmith Brewing Company
Alvarez Family
Aquarius/Edgewater Casinos
AYSO North Park
Barona Resort
Beatle Trax Band
Belmont Park
Benihana
Blue Dolphin Glass
Bonita Kiwanis
Boomers Vista
Bread & Cie
Brilmyer, Ken
Brumbach, Nick
CA Conservation Corps
CaliFino Tequila
Camp Bow Wow of El Cajon
Captain, Joan
Charcuterie Grazing Box
Chula Vista Elks Lodge
Chula Vista Golf Course
City Cruises
Clavell, Teri
Cohn Restaurant Grp
Creative Ideas/David Family
Cunningham, Mary
Cygnet Theatre
Daley, Trish
Del Mar Thoroughbred Club
Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort
Downes, Clara
Downes, James
Down Syndrome Association
Dukes La Jolla
Emerald Isle Golf Course
Flagship Cruises & Events
Fleet Science Center
GUHSD-Helix Charter HS
Guillermo-Pepe's Street Tacos
Hager, Barbara
Hager-Martin, Julie
Hall, Ray
Henry Avocados
Hilton Homewood Suites
Howard, Erik
Japanese Friendship Garden
Jyoti-Bihanga
La Jolla Country Day School
Lamb's Players Theatre
Living Coast Discovery Center
Lolita's Mexican Food
Lovato, Carmen
Lucky Strike Chula Vista
Luna Grill
Martin, Mad Mike
MC Sweet Treats-C. Cummings
Mexican Bar
Mimi's Kitchen/M. WinterNolte
Mingei Intl Museum
Miracle Springs Resort & Spa
Mission Foods
Moonlight Amphitheatre
Nelson, Kathy
Norman, Quentin
No. Island CU Amphitheatre
Northside Tavern
Orfila Vineyards & Winery
Panda Express
Panera Bread
Pick Up Stix
PRP Wine Intl.
Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort
Richard's Bees
San Diego Automotive Museum
San Diego Ballet
San Diego Clippers
San Diego Museum of Art
San Diego Seals
San Diego Sockers
Santana, Azucena
Screaming Pete's BBQ
SD Park & Rec-TRS
Sheraton San Diego Resort
Snowdall, Myra
Super Nova Café
Sutherland Mgmt./McDonald's
Sweetwater UHSD
The Old Globe
Trader Joe's Liberty Station
Troy's Authentic Greek Cuisine
USAopoly
Walter Andersen Nursery
Whaley House Museum
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Volunteer Groups
Boys Team Charity
FAV-Female Athlete Volunteers
Idealist
Marsha Fuerst Nursing School
National Charity League
Stronger Together Club
Teen Volunteers in Action
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Special thanks to our coaches who run practices, our key volunteers who help at tournaments and special events, and the office crew, especially Teresa Gillaspy & her friends, who fold and stuff the monthly newsletters, other mailings and anything else that needs to be done.
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Thank you to all of our sponsors and inkind donors..
Apologies to anyone we missed and thank you all for your generosity.
S4EA Fall & Winter Sports
- Need Volunteer Coaches
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S4EA needs volunteer coaches this fall & winter for the following:
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South Bay Bowling on Sat 11am-1pm at Bowlero Chula Vista from Sep 6-Apr 25
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S4EA needs volunteer coaches this fall in bowling, floor hockey & pickleball at various practice site locations
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S4EA needs volunteer coaches this winter in basketball, bowling, track & winter sports conditioning at various practice site locations
If interested in volunteer coaching, to get a Volunteer Application, or for more information, please call S4EA at 858-565-7432.
S4EA Fall Tournaments
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S4EA athletes have been practicing & playing in league play to get ready for the following upcoming fall tournaments:
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​Dec 7 S4EA Floor Hockey Tourney
9am-5pm at Park de la Cruz
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Dec 13 S4EA Bowling Tournament
8am-12:30pm at Lucky Strike CV
S4EA Winter Season – Basketball, Track & Winter Sports Conditioning
S4EA tentative schedule for our winter season sports for athletes in January is as follows: San Diego City basketball & winter sports conditioning on Mondays from 5:30-8:30pm at Park de la Cruz starting Jan 5 with Junior basketball on Thu from 4-5:30pm at Kearny Rec Center starting Jan 15; East Co. basketball practices at Bostonia Rec Center on Thursdays from 6-7:30pm starting Jan 22 & track practices at Helix HS on Sundays from 9-11am; North Co. basketball practices on Thursdays from 6-7pm at the Boys & Girls Club-Vista starting Jan 15; South Bay basketball practices on Fri from 5:30-7pm at Parkway Community Ctr. Gym starting Jan 16 and track held on Saturdays from 10am-12noon at Sweetwater HS. To confirm & for more info, contact 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 fall are Park de la Cruz-Floor Hockey/Volleyball Mon (Code: 126512) and Kearny Mesa Recreation Center-Floor Hockey Thu (Code: 126514). The facilities that S4EA uses in the winter are Park de la Cruz-Basketball/Winter Sports Conditioning Mon (Code: 127432) and Kearny Mesa Recreation Center-Junior Basketball Thu (Code: 127433).
![5a47432119c47_thumb900[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3b2634_23f72a84277444e9b8cf936426033237~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_838,h_471,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/3b2634_23f72a84277444e9b8cf936426033237~mv2.jpg)
.S4EA Fall/Winter Season
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Sport Practices
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Mon 6:00-8:00pm Park de la Cruz (3901 Landis St., SD 92105) Jan 5-Apr 6 (not Jan 19) [League] (Code: 127432 )
Thu 4:00-5:30pm Kearny Mesa Recreation Ctr. (3170 Armstrong, SD 92111) Jan 15-Apr 9 [Jr](Code: 127433 )
Thu 6:00-7:30pm Bostonia Recreation Center (1049 Bostonia, El Cajon 92021) January 22-April 9
Thu 6:00-7:00pm Boys & Girls Club-Vista (410 W. California Ave, Vista 92083) January 15-March 12 (April 9?)
Fri 5:30-7:00pm Parkway Community Center Gymnasium (373 Park Way, CV 91910) Jan 16-Apr 10
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​​​​​Bowling
Sat 11am-1pm Lucky Strike/Bowlero CV (845 Lazo Ct, CV 91910) Sep 6-Apr 25 (no practice Nov 29 & Dec 27)-$9 for 2 games [League Play]
Sun Dec 7 & 21 10:45am-12:20pm Mira Mesa Lanes (8210 Mira Mesa Blvd, SD 92126) -$5 per bowler per hour+ (early bird special-new time), generally every other Sunday, Dates are subject to change. Please contact cathysturdivant@yahoo.com to confirm.
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Sat Dec 6 1:15-3:30pm De Anza Cove (Parking lot north end near Hwy 5)
Fri Jan 2 8:30-11:30am Liberty Station (park lot near USS Recruit) to Co. Admin Building for Holiday Bowl Parade
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​​​​​​​​​​​Floor Hockey
Mon 6:30-8:30pm Park de la Cruz (3901 Landis St., SD 92105) Sep 15-Dec 1 [League Play] (Code:126512)
Thu 4:00-5:30pm Kearny Mesa Rec (3170 Armstrong, SD 92111) from Sep 18-Dec 4 [Jr] (Code:126514)
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Mon 5:30-6:45pm Park de la Cruz (3901 Landis St., SD 92105) Nov 24 & Dec 1 (Code: 126512)
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Sat 10:00am-12noon Sweetwater High School (2900 Highland Ave, National City 91950) January 3-April 25 (tentative)
Sun 9:00-11:00am Helix High School (7323 University Ave., La Mesa 91941) January 11-April 19 (tentative)
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​​​​​​​​​​​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: Hike-Dec 13
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Fall or Winter Sports - Call S4EA at 858-565-7432 to confirm or for more info.
S4EA Tournament & Event Dates
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Dec 7 9am-5pm S4EA Floor Hockey Tournament - Park de la Cruz
Dec 13 8am-12:30pm S4EA Bowling Tournament - Lucky Strike/Bowlero Chula Vista
Dec 14 4-6:30pm S4EA Holiday Party - Eagles Aerie
Mar 21 10am-2pm S4EA Guacamole Bowl - Balboa Park Club
Apr 11 9am-5pm S4EA Basketball Tournament - Park de la Cruz & Mid-City Gym
Jun 27 6-9pm S4EA "A Taste 4 SPORTS" - Balboa Park Club
