For Immediate Release: October 2, 2000
Contact: Derek Smolik, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations

UT Pan American Announces Kick-off of 2000-01 Adopt-A-School Program at Luncheon

EDINBURG – The University of Texas-Pan American Athletic Department recently announced the kickoff of the 2000-01 Adopt-A-School Program with a luncheon at the University Ballroom on the campus of UTPA.

Representatives of all 10 elementary schools participating in the program were present at the luncheon, as were representatives from Edinburg Regional Medical Center, the program sponsor.  Head Coaches for each of UTPA’s 14 sports as well as Athletic Administrative personnel were also present at the event.  Athletic Director William Weidner reiterated the department’s commitment to the Adopt-a-School Program at the event.

“The Adopt-A-School Program is indicative of our athletic department’s continued commitment towards community involvement and service,” said Weidner.  “This partnership with Edinburg Regional Medical Center and the local community provides an excellent opportunity for our student-athletes to experience the true value of community service.  As ambassadors of our athletic department and the University of Texas-Pan American, our student-athletes can serve as excellent role models for today’s youth and hopefully make a positive contribution to their continued development in regards to striving to be the best that they can be in all of their endeavors.”

The benefits of the program to the schools include: having the opportunity to come and visit the UTPA campus, attending practices of their host teams and attendance at UTPA home games/events. In addition, the program allows student-athletes a chance to understand the impact that they can make on lives of young children in the Rio Grande Valley.  It also give the UTPA Athletic Department the opportunity to further develop relationships and reach out to people in the community.

“We are extremely pleased with the way that the Adopt-A-School program has evolved over the course of the past two years and I am very excited about what is in store for the upcoming season,” commented Georgia Kovich, Coordinator of the Adopt-A-School Program.  “The enthusiasm and the energy that was displayed here today by both the UTPA coaching staff and elementary school principals shows just how much everyone is committed to making this program a success and something that the elementary school children can really benefit from.  I am also very pleased that the Edinburg Regional Medical Center will be joining our team again this season as the official sponsor of the Adopt-A-School program.”

The elementary schools involved in the program include: Cano/Gonzalez, Canterbury, De La Vina, Escandon, Freddy Gonzalez, Jefferson, Robert E. Lee, San Carlos, Travis and Zavala.  Gloria Rivera, the principal at Escandon, had high praise for Weidner and the program.

“I met with him (Weidner) when he was new to the Valley and he had this wonderful vision of where to take the athletic department,” said Rivera.  “We were brought in as part of this vision.  Over the next year I kept seeing all these exciting things happening and we were contacted for events to participate in.  The events happened and were well received by our staff and children.  My kids felt very good about the athletes being at the events.  Mr. Weidner is really making a difference for the school and the community.  People have to see the progress that is happening.  I’m really excited to continue to be a part of the program.  Working with the women’s golf team this year, it’s really exciting.  Many our kids have never even picked up a golf club before.  Mr. Weidner is marketing the university and it’s making a difference.”

Edinburg Regional Medical Center began its sponsorship of the program last year and continues again this year.  ERMC will be offering the services of its doctors and medical professionals in special events related to the Adopt-a-School Program.  The elementary school principals will be able to take advantage of their expertise in areas such as nutrition, sports injuries, diabetes and other topics related to health and fitness for children.

“We are becoming more involved with our kids in the community,” says Chris Smolik, Chief Executive Officer for Edinburg Regional Medical Center.  “We have a whole team of physicians and hospital staff working together with the university to make this a true community initiative.”