Courtside Tennis Club
Thursday, October 12, 2006 the women's tennis team got to showcase their skills along side pros and Courtside Tennis Club members in the annual "Get Physical Against Breast Cancer Pro-Am Tennis Tournament", at the Courtside Tennis Club in Los Gatos,
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Courtside Tennis Club
October 12, 2006
It was a warm and sunny day when Silvana Dukic, a San Jose State athletes and volunteer, saw her first contestant walk up to the tennis court ready for a game. Dukic played along side pros and Courtside Club members for the Get Physical Against Breast Cancer Pro-Am Tennis Tournament in <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Los Gatos.
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Get Physical Against Breast Cancer Pro-Am Tennis Tournament is hosted by Courtside Club and is partnered with San Jose State Athletics. The Tournament features a morning of amateur tennis tournaments with an entry fee of $1,000 followed by presentations by a panel of breast cancer supporters, including breast cancer survivors.
There were a total of six other SJSU volunteers from the women’s tennis team. Anh-Dao Nguyen, head coach, Byran Nepomuceno, assistant coach, and student athletes, Michelle Freitas, Courtney Koenigsfeld, Dana Popescu and Ashley Tavita were all there to support their local community.
The Courtside Club started the event to get people in the local community involved in something fun and for a good cause. Gordon Collins, a Courtside Tennis Club official said the morning tournaments had raised about $150,000 in donations for the national breast cancer awareness and research fund.
“Our club members really enjoy the event.” Collins said.
Prior to the amateur games, participants got to watch a real tennis tournament.
“I liked the tournament the most.” Dukic said.
After the tournament, the amateur tennis games began. Amateur club members were paired against professional and college athletes.
Dukic, played six tournaments and even played against one breast cancer survivor.
“It was an eye-opening experience for me,” Dukic said. She was not expecting much from her volunteer session but learned a lot from the event.
“I can’t believe so many local people are affected,” Dukic said.
Other San JoseState volunteers had similar experiences.
After the morning activities, players and volunteers were invited to a brunch that honored the participants. The volunteers and athletes each received a gift them for their support.
The Get Physical Against Breast cancer Pro-Am Tennis Tournament kicked off on Oct. 12 and will return again next year.
For more information about the event visit Courtside Club’s website at: www.courtsideclub.com/web/site