August 24, 2007

Evergreen Sports

Racer’s paradise

Sights from the 34th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races

It was a racing enthusiast’s paradise in Monterey on Aug. 16-19 as Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca hosted the 34th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. This year’s event honored the legacy of Indy’s “Roadster Era,” as well as champion drivers and the host racetrack, first established in 1957.

John Norman of Oakland in a 1974 Ford Capri races around turn 3 on two wheels at Laguna Seca Raceway during the 34th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races in Monterey on Sunday, Aug. 20. Photos by Dan Miranda

The event included legendary drivers Al Unser Sr., Bobby Rahal, Parnelli Jones and Emerson Fittipaldi, with all four legends taking a practice run on Aug. 18. Pete Lovely, winner of the first main event at Laguna Seca in November of 1957, was also honored during the event by being inducted into the “Legends of Laguna Seca.”

The event also included the inaugural “Race of Legends,” which saw drivers holding championships from nearly every level of racing, including Formula One, the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of LeMans, compete in an eight-lap charity race. The field consisted of well known racing names such as Bobby Unser, Al Unser Sr., Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Rahal, Parnelli Jones, Vic Elford, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ove Andersson and Derek Bell.

All told, some 400 cars participated in the event and were divided into 14 groups based on age and engine size. Cars were also selected for their history, interest and current state of presentation, with the oldest car dating back to 1914—a Mercer—and the newest car—a 1981 Porsche 935K4.

John Norman of Oakland in a 1974 Ford Capri races around turn 3 on two wheels at Laguna Seca Raceway during the 34th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races in Monterey on Sunday, Aug. 20. Photos by Dan Miranda	Jimmy Domingos from Carmel in a 1962 Cooper T59 F. Jr. speeds though the famous corkscrew during the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Domingos won the race with an average speed of 78 miles per hour. Photo by Dan Miranda	Dick Deluna of Woodside in a 1948 Nardi Corsa Barchella leads the pack of Sports racing production cars group 2B through the corkscrew at Laguna Seca Raceway.

Tillman Foundation executive director to run in NYC Marathon

Alex Garwood, his wife Christine, and 23 friends and family members
of Tillman plan to raise funds for foundation with marathon run

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

Alex Garwood, the Pat Tillman Foundation’s executive director, has been putting in some extra hours the past couple of months, and not all of it has been in his office.

That’s because Garwood and his wife, Christine, are training to run in the 2007 New York City Marathon, as are 23 of Pat Tillman’s friends and family members, on Nov. 4. Garwood noted that the idea is to honor Tillman with the run, while also raising some money along the way. All told, Garwood said he is looking forward to running through the streets of New York City on the 26.2-mile course.

Pat Tillman Foundation Executive Director Alex Garwood, shown here during the 2007 Pat’s Run in San Jose, will head to New York with his wife in November to run in the New York City Marathon, along with other 23 friends and family members of Tillman. Photo by Dan Miranda

“I’m excited to do it,” Garwood said. “I haven’t done one since my oldest son was born, so that’s six years, and so far, so good with the training. But, I am a little bit older than I used to be.”

Garwood said the idea of running in the NYC Marathon came about when a Tillman Foundation supporter made the suggestion after running in the marathon previously for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. After an arduous application process, the Tillman Foundation was approved to take part in the marathon as one of a selected number of nonprofits chosen every year for the event. With that process complete, Garwood said the foundation then secured 25 entry slots for the marathon for friends and family to take part in the event along with Garwood and his wife.

“It’ll be a very powerful thing,” Garwood said. “I’m fortunate enough that I’ve done a few marathons, and it’s an amazing feeling somewhere along there when you realize you’re going to make it. That’s powerful. But also, to be doing it with friends and family, and to be doing it for a reason other than just a selfish purpose of that sense of accomplishment – it’s doing it for Pat.”

And while running 26.2 miles will bring about a personal sense of accomplishment, said Garwood, raising money for the foundation’s leadership programs at Arizona State University and at San Jose Unified School District high schools is also important. Each runner, Garwood noted, is responsible for raising $5,000 as part of the marathon run, with proceeds earmarked for the foundation’s programs. To that end, Garwood said that while some corporate sponsorship is in place, sponsorships from individuals are still needed for each runner to raise the necessary funds for the foundation.

As for Garwood, the actual training for the marathon has proven to be a challenge at times. While Garwood and his wife began training a couple of months ago for the marathon, there’s still plenty of progress to be made, Garwood insisted.

“There’s a lot of reasons why it’s hard,” said Garwood. “It’s 26.2 miles; that in and of itself is a big deal. Plus, in order to be able to run that, there’s a tremendous amount of training. …The motivation to be able to do that, following through, and the discipline that it takes is hard.”

The training also brought about memories of a European vacation with Tillman, said Garwood. In short, Tillman routinely invited Garwood for jogs around historical European landmarks in the morning hours while their wives slept.

“It was a great way to see a country,” Garwood said. “…When we were there, we ran in London through Hyde Park, and we ran in Paris, along the Champs-Elysées, which was incredible.”

For Garwood and his wife, training has also been challenging in terms of family. With three young sons ranging in age from 18 months to 6 years, the couple takes turns caring for the kids while the other gets their training in. At times, the young boys take part in the training regimen as well.

“Ryan’s gone as far as six miles with me,” Garwood said of his 6-year-old son. “He’s pretty cool. He’s neat because he’ll look up and say, ‘dad, how far are we? Three miles? OK good, that means three more.’ It’s fun. They’re a part of it, and I think they’ve bought in to what we’re doing. They understand that mom and dad are running a marathon, but more importantly, they understand that it’s for uncle Pat.”

For those interested in being a Tillman Foundation runner’s sponsor for the New York City Marathon on Nov. 4, go to www.teamtillman-nycmarathon.kintera.org.

For more information about the Pat Tillman Foundation, go to www.pattillmanfoundation.org.

EVERGREEN SPORTS SCHEDULES 8-27 to 9-7

Evergreen Valley High sports schedule
8/31 – Football at Piedmont Hills, varsity 7 p.m. and JV 4:30 p.m.
9/4 – Girls’ tennis at Leigh, 3:15 p.m.
9/6 – Girls’ tennis at Leland, 3:15 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant High sports schedule
9/4 – Girls’ tennis vs. Branham, 3:15 p.m.
9/6 – Girls’ tennis at Lincoln, 3:15 p.m.
9/7 – Football vs. James Lick, varsity 7:30 p.m. and JV 5 p.m.

Silver Creek High sports schedule
8/31 – Football vs. Homestead at Fremont High School, varsity 7 p.m. and JV 4:30 p.m.
9/4 – Girls’ tennis vs. Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.
9/6 – Girls’ tennis at Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.

For more information on local games, log on to the BVAL Web site at http://www.bval.org/.

SPORTS BRIEFS

E.A.S.Y Hoops Friday Night Teen Basketball League
E.A.S.Y. Hoops (Evergreen Area Sports for Youth) is now accepting registration for boys and girls in 6th thru 9th grade. Game dates are Fridays from Sept. 7th through Nov. 30. Although the approximate times will vary from team to team, the first game will begin at 3:30 p.m. with a new game played every hour until 8:30 p.m. All players should plan to attend the draft clinic on Sept. 7 at Chaboya Middle School to determine team placement. Space is limited to 120 players. All games are played at Chaboya MS, 3276 Cortona Drive, San Jose.

The cost is $120 per player. This includes a game jersey, equipment use, participation medals, personal basketball, and trophies for 1st and 2nd place teams for the end of season tournament and officials.

Volunteer Coaches Needed: Coaches are needed and greatly appreciated. Please indicate your interest when registering.

To Register: Contact John Franza at franzahoops@yahoo.com or Allen Ventura at fourvees@pacbell.net for registration information.


Silicon Valley Tigers youth tackle football now accepting applications
The Silicon Valley Tigers are still accepting applications for players between the ages of 6 and 14 for their youth
tackle football teams.  We are a non-profit organization that was founded in 2006. We are dedicated to preparing
the youths of Silicon Valley to play football at the high school level. We are a member of the highly competitive NYFL football league.

To register or for more information, please go to our web site www.siliconvalleytigers.com and follow the instructions.  We have excellent coaching staffs in place for all teams.   If you have any questions about the Tigers or the NYFL, please contact Mary Ann O'Hara at 408-646-7748, Rod Abarca at 408-836-7844 or email rod@siliconvalleytigers.com.

Bay Area Boot Camp 5K Fitness Training Program
Boot Camp dates are from September 10 - November 4 at South Bay locations. The cost is $125 - All proceeds benefit the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative. The 5K Fitness Training program, developed by Bay Area Boot Camp’s expert coaching staff, is a comprehensive workout series designed to prepare you for the Silicon Valley 5K Run/Walk on November 4, 2007.

Designed for runners of all levels, this 8-week program includes:

8 weekly training sessions led by Bay Area Boot Camp coaches

A detailed schedule of running, speed, and cross-training drills

A Training log to help you track your progress and keep your focus

An 8-week nutrition plan designed to support your training and optimize your energy level

Unlimited phone and email support from our coaching staff of veteran 5K, 10K, and marathon runners

15% off September and October Boot Camp sessions - an ideal way to enhance your race preparations and cross train in a supportive group environment

A pre-race party – get to know your fellow 5K racers and learn more about BAWSI!

For more information, contact Mary Beth Gonzales at marybeth@bayareabootcamp.com or phone 408-425-9475. Visit our website at www.bayareabootcamp.com

Evergreen Valley Church partners with Villages Country Club for
fundraising events to benefit local and international charities
The Villages Golf and Country Club will hold a fundraising golf tournament on August 19 at 1 p.m., followed by a walk-a-thon along Coyote Creek at 2 p.m., and a Hawaiian Luau Dinner and raffle at Evergreen Valley Church that evening. All proceeds raised on this day will go to support three outreach ministries to children from around the world and around the corner.

Hope Enterprises, Dessie Ethiopia: Our church feeds breakfast to 750 orphans every day of the year and we help fund the school and provide for the needs of these children who are living in hunger, poverty, disease and faced with premature death.

Hope Unlimited for Children, Brazil: We support Hope in making a difference in Brazil by offering shelter, rehabilitation, and education to street children. Hope is breaking the cycle of violence and abuse of living on the streets of Brazil.

Kids Club, San Jose: We are working with public schools to provide a safe and fun learning environment that will help our schools and their families build a positive character in the students and learn life skills that will help them for years to come.

Anyone wishing to play in the golf tournament, be one of our hole sponsors, walk in the walk-a-thon, or attend the dinner can contact the church office at 274-7422 or go to our website at www.EVCSJ.com.


Evergreen Valley College soccer to hold summer camps in August
Evergreen Valley College will be holding summer soccer camps for boys and girls ages five and six, as well as ages
7-14 in June and August.

The Baby Hawks summer soccer camps, for ages five and six, will take place on the following dates:

- Session II – Aug. 6-9, 9-10:30 a.m. (boys and girls)
- Session III – Aug. 6-9, 10:30 a.m.-noon (boys and girls)

In addition, the Advanced Hawks summer soccer camps, for ages 7-14, will take place on the following dates:

- Session II - Aug. 6-9, 9 a.m.-noon (boys and girls)

For more information about the camps, call Evergreen Valley Women’s Soccer head coach Felicia Perez at (408) 274-7900 ext. 6910 or email Felicia.Perez@evc.edu.

Sports Briefs: Sports Briefs listings are subject to the following fee structure: $25 per month, per publication for the Evergreen and Almaden Times; $10 per month, per publication for the monthly newspapers. Indicate publication placement at the time the listing/payment is submitted. Sports Briefs accepts checks – payable to Times Media, Inc – VISA or MC. To charge your payments call Sonia Pineda at 494-7000 x205. Be sure to reference your team/organization with your payment. Listings appear once payments are received. TMI sponsored events and full-proceed charity fundraisers exempted. Email, fax or mail listing text to: candy@timesmediainc.com 1310 Tully Road, Suite 107, San Jose, CA 95122. 408-494-7078 (fax) Limit 200 words. Questions? Call 494-7000 x225.