Second Annual “BEAR-A-THON” FUNDRAISER

As fundraising for the M-A Tennis Enhancement Project continues, the team is holding its own fundraiser on Saturday, April 6, at Stanford University.  Members of both the Boys and Girl’s teams will occupy all the Stanford Varsity courts as they compete in a 6 hour tennis marathon of team competition from 2 until 8 p.m.  The close to 100 players will be divided into coed teams playing as many matches as possible to reach the finals and determine this year’s Big Bear Champs. Players will seek monetary sponsorship from friends, family and neighbors for every match played with the hope of raising enough money to complete the final phase of the M-A Tennis Enhancement Project. Last year's Bear-a-Thon raised close to $10,000, and we are hoping to do the same again this year. Proceeds will be used to construct a center walkway between the two sets of courts for better access, coaching and viewing. Spectators are welcome and encouraged!  

How to Enter the Bear-A-Thon:

1. Come to the kick-off lunch at 11:50 on March 4th at the M-A Tennis Courts. Please be sure to bring a $10 entry fee and your t-shirt size to the lunch in order to enter the Bear-A-Thon.

2. Obtain a pledge form at the kick-off lunch or download it from the Boys Tennis Website ( http://m-aboosters.org/sports/tennis/MA_Boys_Tennis.html )

3. Get friends and family to make pledges (either per game played or for a flat amount) and record the pledges on the Pledge Form before the Bear-A-Thon takes place. Refer to the event description above if you are not sure what to say.

4. Meet at the Stanford Varsity Courts at 1:45 on Sunday, April 6th.

5. Collect your pledges and return the money and pledge form to Jody Horowitz by April 18^th.

The M-A Tennis Program kicked off  2007 with the ground breaking of the long awaited MATEP (Menlo Atherton Tennis Enhancement Project).  Led by Team Mom, M-A Alum and former Varsity player, Jody Horowitz, the coaches and parent volunteers began work on the planning for the project at the end of the season last year.  The project has greatly enhance the environment around the courts for both the teams and their fans. 

This project is Phase 2 of a 3 Phase project for the facility, which began in 2001.  Phase 1 included the addition of two new courts (bringing the total to 7), the renovation of the existing courts, new benches, bleachers, windscreens and the addition of new storage facilities.  Funds were raised through donations and a Tennis Tournament, open to the public held at Stanford’s Varsity courts.  

Phase 2 includes a “Tennis Grove” on the south side of the courts, which includes decomposed granite walkways and a central plaza, a landscaped earthen burm around the plaza, 9 newly planted Redwood Trees as well as new benches along the courts for viewing. Other improvements were:

renovated fencing for safety and accessibility, new and relocated windscreens for better viewing, new and expanded storage, changing and office structures, and a cobblestone “Centre Court Plaza” on the north side of the courts with built-in tables and chairs for M-A’s players, visiting teams as well for the enjoyment of the public that play at M-A in the evenings and on the weekends.

Fundraising is on-going.  Funds have been raised through private donations and through the annual “Bear-a-thon” Tennis Tournament which is held at Stanford’s Varsity courts. This year’s event will take place on Sunday, April 6, 2008 from 2- 8:00pm . For more information, contact Jody Horowitz (jodyhorowitz@comcast.net).

Phase 3, which is scheduled to begin in approximately 2+ years to coincide with the completion of the Performing Arts Center, will include moving the west fencing an additional few feet to the edge of the parking lot, in order to construct a center walkway between the two sets of courts for better access, coaching and viewing. The project promises to make the Menlo Atherton tennis facility the finest in the state.

***Click here to see photos of the facility***