LSA- News

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The Tom Jehl LSA partial scholarship to the University of Saint Francis is available to a student entering the University of Saint Francis who has participated in the Lifetime Sports Academy and has actively volunteered in the community. This year’s scholarships were awarded to Stephanie Fox and Ryan Guise.

This scholarship is available at The University of St. Francis. For more information or to obtain an application for the Tom Jehl Lifetime Sports Academy Scholarships, visit http://www.sf.edu/financialaid/sources.shtml. and financial aid forms.

Doug McKibben Practice Center

To commemorate the 15^thanniversary of LSA and to honor dedicated committee member Doug McKibben, the driving range, putting and pitching green was officially named the Doug McKibben Practice Center at the Lifetime Sports Academy.

“When Tom Jehl and I started the Lifetime Sports Academy, the first person Tom mentioned to join us in developing this program was Doug McKibben,” said LSA Committee Co-Chair Jerry Fox. “Since the beginning, Doug has been instrumental in furthering the development and progress of the Lifetime Sports Academy through his generous donations and counsel during the past fifteen years. The Doug McKibben Practice Center is a fitting tribute to my partner in the Lifetime Sports Academy.”

Tom & Marg Jehl Day

On June 20, 2005 Mayor Graham Richard honored Tom & Marg Jehl by declaring June 20th "Tom and Marg Jehl Day." The ceremony included an unveiling of a permanent plaque at McMillen Park's Mad Anthony III's, a par three golf course.

The LIFETIME SPORTS ACADEMY DOCUMENTARY-"WHERE EVERYBODY WINS" is NOW available to purchase!

To purchase your own copy of the excellent documentary on the Lifetime Sports Academy, call 1-888-484-8839 or order on-line at www.wfwa.org The video is $24.95 plus shipping & handling.

The one-hour program tells the story of LSA-starting with the broad-based community support that made the program a reality, to its youthful participants and the positive impact it has on their lives.

Created in 1998, the Lifetime Sports Academy (LSA) is a cooperative effort of the Fort Wayne Sports Corporation and the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. The LSA provides FREE golf, tennis, and swimming lessons during the summer months for local youths ages 8-18, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., under the supervision of Academy Director and Wayne High School teacher and track coach, Tom Hogan. Lessons focus on skill development, training, and participation and are taught by certified coaches and highly trained professionals.

The Lifetime Sports Academy is located in the McMillen Park Pavilion just west of the pool (enter the park off Oxford). No pre-registration is required. You may come as often as you wish and stay as long as you like. Special activities such as soccer, softball and volleyball will be organized at various times throughout the week for children not participating in group lessons. The Fort Wayne Community Schools summer lunch program will also be available at McMillen Park for Academy participants.

The Mad Anthony III's Golf Learning Course was built through a partnership with the Mad Anthony Charity Classic for Children. This par-three course, located at McMillen Park, is available to play for free to LSA students who have passed proficiency tests in irons, woods, chipping, putting, pitching and sand play plus rules and etiquette. The course is also available to any golfer looking to polish their game or enjoy a round of golf with a young athlete.

Besides having the opportunity to learn a new sport and meet new friends during the summer months, LSA participants can also earn golf and tennis equipment or the right to participate in local events, like the City Swim Meet. Some very dedicated athletes can also earn scholarships for additional lessons during the spring or fall.

The program has become a model for other cities across the nation.

For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 427-6000.

Testimonials from participants and parents:

"I’ve seen our children work through disappointments and become stronger athletes. This also transfers to their school work and personal challenges. It is a win-win situation. These are stepping stones for life! Diana S."

"The program is wonderful-everyone is kind and wonderful to my children. I’ve been working here for three years passing out the lunches. My kids love coming and all of the staff people are friendly. The Mack family had a great summer here-S. Mack"

"The golf instructors were so friendly. My kids have never taken golf lessons before, but they’ve learned a lot and had a lot of fun. We paid for my son to take 8 weeks of tennis lessons at another place and he didn’t get half of the instruction that he received here. This is a great program! Thank you so much for offering this-Catherine S."

"This is a great program building self-esteem in kids. Great coaching-Christopher B."

"I like the tennis and golf league play- Maysa M."

"It is a very good place to go for kids to stay out of trouble-Austin M."

"I really like this program and I hope that continues for a really long time-Donna L."

"The coaches were all very helpful and easy to learn from-Norene M."

"Throughout the program, I continued to be pleasantly surprised by the level of commitment to the kids, the professionalism of the staff and the quality of the program-C Bower"

"This made our summer very special. I was very impressed with the care and concern shown by the staff. I appreciated the relaxed manner in which they dealt with each situation. They were always calm, respectful and confident. I appreciated how they accommodated the group I brought by putting their swim lesson after each other rather than making us wait an hour between lessons. I also brought a swimmer about halfway through the summer and yet she was welcomed. Thank you! I always felt that the children were safe and well-supervised. I liked the online registration process-that made it much easier. One week my children had to change their tennis lesson time and it was ok. This flexibility really helped us. Overall, this is a great program. My children and their friends really appreciated the bags, t-shirts, goggles and tennis rackets.- Annette A. K."

"This was our first year participating in the LSA program and my children enjoyed the lessons and the staff thanks so much for the wonderful opportunities of your program-Mary R."

"I am so thrilled with this program. My kids have learned so much especially in golf and tennis. It has given them skills they will always have. Thanks so much for caring about the kids –Julie C."

"LSA provides an amazing opportunity for all kids to learn lifetime sports! Kids build self-esteem and ability everyday they participate. It is an awesome program and we are so fortunate to have it here in Fort Wayne!- Holly W."

"This is our second summer at the Sports Academy and my boys have really enjoyed the program. Each year they learn new skills and keep building on what is taught. Thank you for making this a great place for children to be in the summer." Elizabeth I.

"This is an excellent program that will prove to be life changing for my kids!!" C.P.

"Our grandsons are from Lima, Ohio and they have participated in golf for the last two summers. To do this they have stayed with us so they could attend. Not only have they learned skills that they can use for their lifetime, but it has also given us a special time to bond with them and grow closer. I believe LSA is a terrific program for young people. It could be used as a tool to promote our city to parents and grandparents, industries and anyone in search of a wonderful family activity. The look on the face of the kids when they earn their free golf clubs is priceless. Thank you so much for your investment in young people's lives." L & D Koehlinger

"Thanks for having this program. I had a lot of fun with my friends and meeting new friends. As this was my first year, this was a learning experience." Richard H.

"This is a wonderful place with excellent programs. Children and teenagers play, enjoy and learn with a great professional staff that are friends and teachers and give them the self confidence to improve in sports everyday. Wonderful sports program. Thank you very much to all of you. God bless you." Maria D.P.

"Excellent program for Fort Wayne youth. The focus on sports has far reaching benefits for our children." Charla S.

"I think this is a wonderful program and can't believe it's free. I have been spreading the news about this program to my friends and neighbors. Good job." Mara B.

"My little brother can't wait to turn 8 (so he can play too)!" Lukas

"This is an awesome program for the children in Fort Wayne. Thanks for the encouraging instruction given. We will do this again!" K. Hobson

"I really appreciate how the sport schedule is made so that all the sports can be played by the kids. One of the kids I bring has physical disabilities but the swim teachers (all the adults) make her feel welcome without making her feel different, plus she is learning to love a sport and now she can be active. Thank you so much!" Belinda O.

"The staff are friendly, caring, and supportive of each child and their abilities." Shelby E.

"I really enjoyed playing golf." Jonathan C.

"What a great program! Earning my set of clubs this year was the coolest thing I’ve ever done!" Ryan G.

"This has been an excellent opportunity for my kids. They are now great golfers and will carry that skill with them the rest of their lives." Jamie G.

I really like it; I think you did a good job teaching people golf tennis and swimming. Asher

Our family has taken part in LSA for the past three years. I am very impressed with the knowledge and patience of the LSA staff. We look forward to coming back each summer! Rich C.

Thank you for offering this program! This was my son’s first year and everyone has been so nice! We will be back!! Such an awesome experience!! Tamara E. J.

I think its wonderful the things that are taught to the children. Shaunika B.

We won a swim scholarship for the winter team last year. The program has really has made a difference in my health. Melissa and Katie H.

Love the program! As do my kids. Great way to learn skills in sports you will use the rest of your life. Plus its lots of fun! Nicole D.