June 11 – June 17

Welcome to week twelve of the Sports Doing Good newsletter. Each week we are fortunate to come across so many stories of individuals, groups, companies, teams, leagues, etc. doing for others. It could be financial, educational, emotional or physical support; could be recognition in the form of awards and PR; or it could be through inspirational acts that motivate us to contribute our own share of good to the world.

This week we saw UEFA promote respect through a great soccer tradition, Olympic champions Janet Evans and Rowdy Gaines teaching others to swim, NBA MVP Steve Nash planning to bring his popular pick-up soccer game back to NY in support of health and wellness for kids, and multiple media outlets shining their own on light on advances in women’s sports, the brilliance of the 1992 Dream Team and current stars populating this year’s NBA Championship. We learned about how a young magazine, SI, helped change the fortunes of Hungarian Olympic athletes in 1956. These stories reminded us that good acts are not restricted by time or place and leave legacies that alter the lives of individuals and nations.

The stories involving individuals and organizations were a collection of examples in which opportunity was a main goal, whether that meant access to new basketball courts (Under Armour and the NBA), the sport of fencing (Peter Westbrook Foundation), or education lessons (Chevron and the USGA). Finally we have two stories on one of the great on-the-field stories this year, i.e. Stony Brook baseball, and the school’s surprising run to the College World Series.

Please continue to send along your stories. You are both our audience and our best source of stories. Finally, if you think others would like to receive the newsletter, please feel free to forward it on or have them contact us directly at sab@sportsdoinggood.com. (If you do not want to receive the newsletter anymore you can use the Unsubscribe button at the end of the newsletter.)

So enjoy. And have a good week.

Fun Doing Good:

Kickball: Ricky Laforge, ‘New York Shower Hammers’ Player, Scores Amazing Game-Winning Run (video)
“In extra innings at the Pennsylvania Kickball Classic, a kickball tournament in Harrisburg, Penn., Ricky Laforge of the “New York Shower Hammers” scored the game-winning run by somersaulting over the ball and reaching home plate, just before a player from the opposing team could tag him.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/13/kickball-ricky-laforge-new-york-shower-hammers-run-video_n_1591654.html?utm_hp_ref=sports

UEFA – EURO 2012 Respect campaign (exchange your jersey) (video)
Respect should be present on and off the pitch. http://youtu.be/k1atMGa8WDs

Across the Ocean, It Still Gets Through Buckner (video)
25 years later, crossing borders, languages, and cultures, it is still thrilling!
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2012/6/11/3077762/across-the-ocean-it-still-gets-through-buckner

Married couple with a difference share incredible anniversary fortune at Cardinals-Astros game.
“This is a love story and a hate story. It is about the love of baseball, the love of two teams and the love of two 5¼-ounce jewels. And none of that love would exist if the two people who shared it didn’t hate each other a little.”  http://tinyurl.com/7qurj4t

Italy goal interrupts Monti-Hollande news conference
“Loud celebrations after Italy scored a goal against Croatia in its Euro 2012 match interrupted Prime Minister Mario Monti’s news conference with French President Francois Hollande on Thursday.” http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/14/us-soccer-italy-monti-idUSBRE85D1C120120614

Athletes Doing Good

Nadal makes history, tops Djokovic for record 7th French Open title
Rain or shine, clay or mud, Sunday or Monday, Rafael Nadal rules Roland Garros. The man they call “Rafa” won his record seventh French Open title Monday, returning a day after getting rained out to put the finishing touches on a 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory over Novak Djokovic. He denied Djokovic in his own run at history – the quest for the “Novak Slam.’ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20120611/rafael-nadal-french-open/#ixzz1xUVM4AfA

NCAA champion wrestler Anthony Robles on MMA and his next challenges
The UFC’s recent addition of flyweights opens the door for Robles, but in the meantime, he has plenty on his plate. He is working on a book, movie rights and this week, he’s in New York with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a group that supports the endeavors of physically challenged athletes. He likes getting to meet other athletes like him because of the way they see each other. http://tinyurl.com/87r6arp

Olympic Gold Medalists Janet Evans and Rowdy Gaines Join 30,000 Kids Around the Globe Kick Off The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson(TM)
More than 500 aquatic facilities representing 24 different countries on five continents and 46 states in the US have registered to participate in the simultaneous event.
http://news.yahoo.com/olympic-gold-medalists-janet-evans-rowdy-gaines-join-155407703.html

All-Pro Running Back Ray Rice Joins Xenith Team to Promote Innovation and Education
Xenith, LLC, manufacturer of the X2 football helmet and other protective equipment, today announced a partnership with All-Pro running back Ray Rice.  Rice will serve as a Xenith brand ambassador and will promote Xenith’s strategy for Building the Enlightened Warrior.  Rice, who plays for the Baltimore Ravens, wore the Xenith X2 football helmet while leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage during the 2011-2012 season, and will now help promote Xenith’s corporate mission. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-pro-running-back-ray-rice-joins-xenith-team-to-promote-innovation-and-education-158694145.html. To see the commercial, please click here. http://youtu.be/ufdHEQcZ_k0

Pre-Father’s Day Event: Dallas Cowboys’ Jason Witten and FRAM® Team Up to Teach Car Care Skills to Dads and Their Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas
Hundreds visit Dallas Walmart to learn about car care with NFL star, professional technicians for FRAM Ready to Role event.  http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2012/06/09/DA21306

Events Doing Good:

Crowds cheer as Twickenham hosts first Ecover Blue Mile
The sun shone and Twickenham’s riverside came alive for this year’s opening Ecover Blue Mile event which was formally opened by river paddling legend, Dave Cornthwaite  on World Oceans Day.  An estimated 3000 people joined the participants on the stunning riverside to watch the kayakers and stand up paddle boarders go head-to-head on the River Thames.
http://www.thebluemile.org/2012/06/11/crowds-cheer-as-twickenham-hosts-first-ecover-blue-mile/

Steve Nash’s Showdown in Chinatown Coming June 27
For the fifth year running, NBA superstar point guard Steve Nash is returning to the turf fields of the Lower East Side for the annual Showdown in Chinatown. June 27 was the date chosen (kickoff 6:30 pm) for the eight-a-side footy friendly, which has become an uber-popular event since its inception. The summertime exhibition is a local charity event that ultimately benefits the Steve Nash Foundation, which provides under-served children with medical support, education, and personal development. http://www.boweryboogie.com/2012/06/showdown-in-chinatown-2012-announced/

Kicking and Screening Coming Back to a Theater Near You
Kicking + Screening (K+S) Film Festival, the world’s premier international film event dedicated solely to football/soccer, is returning to New York City this summer. K+S New York 2012 runs from Wednesday, June 27, through Saturday, June 30. For the third year in a row, all films will screen at Tribeca Cinemas in downtown Manhattan. http://kickingandscreening.com/

Media Doing Good:

For 1992 squad, Dream Team was perfect name (“The Dream Team” documentary)
Olympic men’s basketball team seems to have ceased being referred to as the “Dream Team.’’ It’s a term that still pops up from time to time, such as when LeBron James compared his 2008 Olympic squad with the iconic 1992 gold medalists, or, in NBA circles, when a couple of superstars manipulate free agency to try to form a super-team. http://articles.boston.com/2012-06-08/sports/32104950_1_footage-scrimmage-features-dream. (NBA TV earned its best audience ever for the premier showing of the documentary). For an interview with Dion Cocoros, one of the executive producers of “The Dream Team,” please click here. http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2012/06/13/dream-team-documentary-film-sheds-light-on-92-olympic-legends/#ixzz1xsD4RoRG

Revolution Games: The Story of the 1956 Hungarian Olympians (from SI, with video)
With their home in the throes of Communism, the Hungarian team found themselves at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics facing a life-changing decision: return to Hungary or flee. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/web/COM1200014/index.htm With video (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/video/si_video/2012/06/12/hungary_1956.SportsIllustrated/index.html#ixzz1xtBtSesI)

ESPN Networks Offer Extensive Lineup of Women in Sports Programming on Title IX Anniversary Weekend
ESPN has increased its originally announced schedule of events and studio shows for Friday-Sunday, June 22-24 featuring women in sports across its networks – ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, ESPN Classic and Longhorn Network – highlighted by a full day of programming Saturday, June 23. The offering culminates the company’s three-month multiplatform initiative, The Power of IX, recognizing the 40th anniversary of Title IX, signed June 23, 1972. http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2012/06/espntitleixprogrammingday/

NCAA To Debut Title IX Anniversary Documentary “Sporting Chance” Presented By Northwestern Mutual On ESPN2
The NCAA, in conjunction with ESPN and Creative Street Entertainment, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Title IX and recognize individuals who helped shape the ground-breaking equity law with the documentary premiere “Sporting Chance” presented by Northwestern Mutual. http://www.thestreet.com/story/11576826/1/ncaa-to-debut-title-ix-anniversary-documentary-sporting-chance-presented-by-northwestern-mutual-on-espn2.html

High-Tech Truck Brings NBA Finals To The World
The NBA Finals are being broadcast to 215 countries that speak 47 different languages.  To do that, the NBA is using a massive truck, with a lot of equipment and people.  http://www.news9.com/story/18783513/high-tech-truck-responsible-for-broadcasting-nba-finals-to-the-world

Organizations Doing Good:

Under Armour and NBA Fix Courts
Under Armour and the National Basketball Association (NBA) will tip off a five-city court refurbishment initiative, making its first stop at Madison Square Recreation Center, aka “The Dome,” in Baltimore. The court will be dedicated with the help of NBA legend and Baltimore native Muggsy Bogues. This court refurbishment program is being completed in partnership with NBA FIT, the league’s comprehensive health and wellness program.
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/176553/under-armour-and-nba-fixes-courts.html#ixzz1xsZd00Um

USGA Signs Partnership With Chevron; Partnership provides students with a science, technology, engineering and math-enriched learning experience at USGA championships and beyond
Science, technology, engineering and math – also known as STEM – are as critical to golf as club head speed, ball trajectory, Stimpmeters and turfgrass conditioning. To demonstrate the importance of STEM in a young person’s educational experience and potential career path, the United States Golf Association (USGA) and Chevron today announced a new partnership designed to encourage students in these specific academic disciplines through the world of golf.  http://www.usga.org/news/2012/June/USGA-Signs-Partnership-With-Chevron/

NFL, military partner to discuss brain injuries
In a conference room on the third floor of the Pentagon, introductions were made and the conversation quickly turned to concussions. Everyone seated at the long table had impressive credentials from either the battlefield or the football field. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/nfl-military-partner-to-discuss-brain-injuries/2012/06/13/gJQABoPFaV_story.html

Peter Westbrook Foundation (PWF) to Celebrate 20 Years of Enriching Lives
The Peter Westbrook Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to utilizing the sport of fencing as a vehicle to improve the future of young people from underserved communities, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in grand fashion on Thursday, June 14.  http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/peter-westbrook-foundation-pwf-to-celebrate-20-years-of-enriching-lives-158573465.html

IHSA Creates State Finals for Athletes with Disabilities
The Illinois High School Association on Monday announced plans to launch a state finals pilot program in cross country, bowling, swimming and diving, and track and field for student-athletes with disabilities – an initiative that builds on years of accommodations for student-athletes with disabilities in regular and post-season competitions. http://athleticbusiness.com/editors/blog/default.aspx?id=873&t=IHSA-Creates-State-Finals-for-Athletes-w#.T9eCoF275Do.twitter

People Doing Good:

Kings fan honors fallen scouts, brings Cup champions hat to World Trade Center memorial (photo)
The L.A. Kings’ first Stanley Cup in franchise history meant a lot to many long-suffering fans that feared they might never see the team raise the Cup before they die. But there were some that weren’t so lucky. Two in particular: Garnet “Ace” Bailey and Mark Lawrence Bavis, L.A. Kings scouts who were aboard United Flight 175, which crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/kings-fan-honours-fallen-scouts-brings-cup-champions-025559391–nhl.html

The Yorks, owners of the 49ers, sponsor a hometown golfer in his quest to play in the U.S. Open
To live this made-for-TV moment, Miller pointed to the outpouring of love from the Youngstown community – and not just in the form of the thousands of text messages, but also the financial lift that sponsors such as the San Francisco 49ers (he and Hough donned plenty of gear during a Monday morning news conference) have offered to make this expensive excursion to California possible. The 49ers’ owners – the Yorks – are based in Youngstown.  http://golfweek.com/news/2012/jun/11/no-joke-dennis-miller-living-his-dream-us-open/

Equality quest continues for Meyers Drysdale
Ann Meyers was not Jackie Robinson. She was Ann Meyers. Different causes, different eras, similar passions. Ann Meyers never met a door she didn’t believe she could kick the living hell out of. All she ever wanted was to be allowed to do what the guys do. It was a fight worth taking and a fight she won. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jun/11/equality-quest-continues-meyers-drysdale/

Pinnacle Announces Going the Distance Award Honorees Who Are Making a Difference in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Pinnacle, a leader in the distance golf ball category, announces the ten honorees of its first annual Going the Distance Awards, a program established to celebrate and honor remarkable individuals who are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.  The Going the Distance Award honors ten individuals within the golf community who have shown personal dedication to the fight against breast cancer, while demonstrating a passion to furthering the cause and positively impacting the lives of others. http://www.pinnaclegolf.com/going-the-distance/

Teams Doing Good

Hats off to Stony Brook … If you can find one (Stony Brook makes College World Series!)
“I talked to their athletic director (Jim Fiore) today and he said they had 30 of their red hats in storage and about 40 of their blue and white ones and he would be happy to bring those to Omaha (to sell),” Tokheim said. “That’s not going to work. But it’s a nice gesture.” http://www.omaha.com/article/20120611/CWS/706119903

Stony Brook U to air TV ad during CWS opener
Stony Brook University is hoping to build on the attention its baseball team is getting with its first-ever appearance in the College World Series by producing a television commercial that will air during the team’s first-round game Friday against UCLA. The school, which is part of the State University of New York, is spending $100,000 to produce and air the commercial, which boasts about its achievements in athletics and academics, said President Sam Stanley. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBC_SOARING_STONY_BROOK?SITE=VTBEN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Denver Nuggets And USDA Undersecretary Concannon Kick Off Summer Meals Program For Kids
Denver Nuggets Forward Wilson Chandler, Strength and Conditioning Coach Steve Hess, SuperMascot Rocky and members of the Denver Nuggets Dance Team join USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon,… and a diverse group of elected officials, community organizations and state agencies to kick off the Colorado No Kid Hungry(R) campaign’s efforts to connect thousands of kids to the Summer Food Service Program in Colorado. http://news.yahoo.com/denver-nuggets-usda-undersecretary-concannon-kick-off-summer-184212472.html