June 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 Summer Sports Festival on Sat Jun 14 from 10am-3pm at Park de la Cruz. "A Taste 4 SPORTS" gala fundraiser on May 29 at Balboa Park Club was a great success, raising over $65,000 for S4EA. Summer SPORTS Camp is scheduled for Aug 1-3 at Pine Valley Bible Conference Center. S4EA is starting our summer sports in bocce, cycling, soccer, softball, swimming, and tennis. Check out the rest of the Newsletter or call S4EA at 858-565-7432 for more information.​​​​​​
S4EA “A Taste 4 SPORTS” May 29 at Balboa Park Club
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S4EA hosted for our members the 18th Annual "A Taste 4 SPORTS" Gala Fundraiser on Thursday, May 29th from 6-9pm at the Balboa Park Club (2144 Pan American Road West, SD 92101) featuring food & wine from 12 restaurants, personal chefs, caterers & wineries. S4EA honored the Ron Newman Family (represented by his son Guy Newman who is a former Sockers player & coach) as our 2025 'SPORTS Family of the Year'. SD Sockers Head Coach Ron Newman won an astonishing 10 championships in 11 years. Guest mingled with notable local & celebrity figures, including Mad Mike from MTVs “Pimp My Ride”, enjoyed music from the band ‘Beatle Trax’ & bid on an exquisite array of auction items. Reservations were $60 per person.
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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. Thank you to the 30 sponsors & 75 auction donors, as we made over $65,000 for S4EA. For more info, call 858-565-7432 or visit www.s4ea.org.
S4EA Thanks “A Taste 4 SPORTS” Restaurants
SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes thanks the following restaurants who provided food & drink at “A Taste 4 SPORTS” on May 29th at the Balboa Park Club:
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Creative Ideas
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Guillermo's-Pepe's Street Tacos
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Super Nova Cafe
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S4EA Board of Directors 2025-26
S4EA had elections for our new Board of Directors on May 8.
Congratulations to the newly elected S4EA Board:
Executive Committee
President-Ron Choularton
Vice President-Kathy Nelson
Treasurer-Skip Covell
Secretary-Diana Rathbun
Nicole Alvarez
Members-At-Large
Joe Alvarez-Salas
Kelly Choularton
Isaac Hernandez
Matthew Rathbun
Mia Ryans
Corie Sonnenberg
Shay Thomas
Carissa Zink
S4EA Athlete Council Activities - Athlete Council Elections
Athlete Council elections were held at the Pancake Breakfast on Sat March 29. Each candidate gave a speech on why they should be elected. Congratulations to the following athletes who were elected to the S4EA Athlete Council:
President-Joe Alvarez-Salas
Vice President-Evan Perrero
Treasurer-Rachel Goldbaum
Secretary-Matthew Rathbun
Sergeant-At-Arms-Michael Stein.
Athlete Council Activities - S4EA Bingo Sat July 12 at S4EA Office
SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes presents Bingo Bash on Saturday, July 12 at our S4EA Office (8380 Vickers St. #E, San Diego 92111) in Kearny Mesa from 3:30-5pm. We will play bingo outside. For $10.00 per set of 5 Bingo Cards, you can play Bingo with families & friends. Bingo winners will receive prizes. Snacks will be provided. Call S4EA at 858-565-7432 to reserve your spot.
S4EA Thanks “A Taste 4 SPORTS” Event Sponsors
SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes thanks the following Event Sponsors who helped S4EA raise over $60,000 at “A Taste 4 SPORTS” held on May 29th at the Balboa Park Club:
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Platinum Level ($10,000+)
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Brian & Kimberly Cox
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Gold Level ($5,000+)
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Nick Brumbach
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SD City Fire Fighters Local 145
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Tipple Family
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UDW AFSCME Local 3930
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Webb/Kawamoto Family
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Silver Level ($1,000+)
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Ahrens Family
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Flam Family
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Gillaspy Family
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HME
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Jerry & Mary Ellen Harris Family
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Richard Harris Family
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Jackson/Snowdall Family
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Job Options Inc.
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Greg Mitchell/Bill Randoll
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Rathbun Family
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Yates/Julius Family
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Bronze Level ($500+)
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Alvarez Family
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Cunningham Family
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Clara Downes
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Mary & Woody Emlen
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Entouch Solutions
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Glinatsis Family
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Goldbaum Family
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Jen Styer/Duane MacNeilan
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Brian Miller
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Peters Family
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Super Wash & Dry Laundromat-Chula Vista
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The Arc of San Diego
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Triad Components Group
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"A Taste 4 SPORTS"
Auction & Raffle Items
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The guests bid on the following at "A Taste 4 SPORTS" on Thu May 29:
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Getaways to a variety of exciting locations.
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Sports Memorabilia–baseball, golf, football, soccer, basketball, etc.
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Gift Certificates/Tickets to local restaurants, museums, theatres, hotels, spa treatments, fun & games, whale watching & more.
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Artwork, Jewelry & many more items.
To see a list of the Taste Auction winners, visit: www.s4ea.org/taste4sports
S4EA SPORTS Camp Aug 1-3 at Pine Valley Bible Conf. Ctr.
S4EA has scheduled SPORTS Camp for Aug 1-3 at Pine Valley Bible Conference Center. Camp offers sports & traditional camp activities (zipline, pool, crafts, slip n’ slide, talent show, dance) in 10-12 person 1 room rustic cabins.
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The S4EA SPORTS Camp Registration Fee is $350 per person to help pay for lodging, meals, insurance, supplies, etc. If camper needs 1-on-1 chaperone, a Supplemental Staffing Fee of $150 will be charged. Transportation is available for $75 or campers may be brought directly to Pine Valley Camp which is about a 45-minute drive from San Diego. S4EA has received Vendor Approval from Regional Center for SPORTS Camp (PQ8659). Please contact your Regional Center worker to apply & get approval for Registration Fee, Supplemental Staffing Fee or Transportation Fee. Limited spots available. First-come, first-served. For more info, call S4EA at (858)565-7432 or go to website at www.s4ea.org.
S4EA Summer Sports
- Need Volunteer Coaches
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S4EA urgently needs volunteer coaches this summer for the following:
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North County Softball on Sundays from 6-7pm at Breeze Hill Park from Jul 20-Aug 24
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South Bay Softball Fridays from 5-6:30pm at Robert Egger Sr-South Bay Rec Ctr Jun 13-Sep 5
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South Bay Soccer Fridays from 6:30-7:30pm at Robert Egger Sr-South Bay Recreation Center Jun 13-Aug 22
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East County/San Diego Swimming on Saturdays from 10-11:30am at La Mesa Pool Jun 21-Aug 30
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South Bay Swimming on Wednesdays from 5-7pm at Las Palmas Pool from June 4-Aug 27
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S4EA can also use volunteers at Bocce, Cycling, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Tennis at various other 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 Summer Sports Festival June 14 at PDLC
S4EA is bringing back the popular Summer Sports Festival on Saturday, June 14th 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, Cycling, 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.
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The SPORTS Festival is sponsored by SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes and co-sponsored by San Diego Parks & Recreation – Therapeutic Recreation Services (code: 123073). 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 info, call SPORTS for Exceptional Athletes 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: 123212), Morley Field Bocce Courts-Bocce Tue (Code: 123213), Park de la Cruz Softball Fields-Softball Wed (Code: 123214) & Summer Sports Festival June 14 (Code: 123073).
S4EA Practices/Tournaments – Guidelines
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Download Athlete Registration Form from S4EA website, fill out/email to S4EA
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Do not come if you are sick
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Check temperature (if above normal, don’t come to practice)
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If have COVID, isolate at least 5 days & wear mask 10 days
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Wear a facemask in large groups/indoor to help protect everyone & especially our athletes with disabilities
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Get the new COVID vaccine & be safe to play our sports
![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 Summer Season
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Sport Practices
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​​​Bocce
Tue 5:30-7:00pm Morley Bocce Ct (2221 Morley Field Dr, SD 92104) Jul 8-Sep 9 [League Play](Code: 123213)
Thu 5:30-7:00pm Brengle Terrace Park (1200 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista 92084) from Jul 10-Sep 11
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​Bowling
Sun Jun 8 & 22 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 Jun 7 1:15-3:30pm Liberty Station to Shelter Island,
Sat Jun 14 1:15-3:30pm Crown Point Shores to South Mission
Sat Jun 21 1:15-3:30pm Hospitality Pt. to Sunset Cliffs
Sat Jun 28 1:15-3:30pm Sorrento Valley Park & Ride Rte. 56 Bike Trail
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Mon 5:45-8:00pm Park de la Cruz (3901 Landis St, SD 92105) Jun 9-Aug 18 [League Play] (Code: 123212)
Fri 6:30-7:30pm Robert Egger Sr.-South Bay Rec. Center (1885 Coronado Ave, SD 92154) Jun 13-Aug 22
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Wed 5:45-8:30pm Park de la Cruz (3901 Landis St., SD 92105) Jun 25-Sep 3 [League Play](Code: 123214)
Fri 5:00-6:30pm Robert Egger Sr.-South Bay Rec. Center (1885 Coronado Ave, SD 92154) Jun 13-Sep 5
Sun 6:00-7:00pm Breeze Hill Park (645 S. Melrose, Vista 92081) Jul 20-Aug 24 (need coaches) ​
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Wed 5:00-7:00pm Las Palmas Pool (1800 E 22nd St, NC 91950) $20/mo. Jun 4-Aug 27 (Non-Swim 5-6/Swim 6-7)
Sat 10:00-11:30am La Mesa Pool (5100 Memorial Dr, LM 91942) Jun 21-Aug 30-$5/session(swimmers only)
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Mon 7:00-8:00pm Barnes Tennis Center (4490 W. Point Loma Blvd., San Diego 92107) Jun 2-Aug 25
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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: Rock Climbing-July 26
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Summer Sports are starting. Call S4EA at 858-565-7432 to confirm or for more information.
S4EA Tournament & Event Dates
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May 29 6:00-9:00pm S4EA "A Taste 4 SPORTS" - Balboa Park Club
Jun 14 10am-3pm S4EA/TRS Summer Sports Festival - Park de la Cruz
Jul 12 3:30pm-5pm S4EA Bingo Bash - S4EA Office
Aug 1-3 4pm Fri-11am Sun S4EA Summer SPORTS Camp - Pine Valley Bible Conference Center
Aug 9 8am-1pm S4EA Swim Meet - St. Madeleine Sophie's Center
Aug 24 9am-5pm S4EA Soccer Tournament - Morley Field in Balboa Park
Sep 7 9am-5pm S4EA Softball & Tennis Tournament - Morley Field in Balboa Park
