 "Photo: Jon Good")
The club tennis team is hosting Ace Out Autism March 14 at the Kachel Fieldhouse from 10 a.m. until 5:15 p.m.
Ace Out Autism is a fundraiser for the club tennis team and the foundation for Autistic Childhood Education and Support.
"Half the proceeds go to the tennis club, and the other half go towards F.A.C.E.S.," club tennis Vice President Lindsay Harrison said.
F.A.C.E.S. plans to put the money they get from Ace Out Autism into a playground at a special education pre-school for children with autism.
Ace Out Autism has been a work in progress for quite a while for club.
"This was an original idea by a club board member, and it has been developed over the past five months at first monthly, and then weekly meetings by tennis club officers and members," club President Mehul Kar said.
During the day-long event there will be many activities taking place.
One court will be reserved for serving for a chance to donate some money from sponsors based on the speed of the serve. Individuals can purchase five balls to serve for $5.
"The speed of each correct serve will be recorded," Kar said. "At the end of the day, we will bring back the top five fastest male and top five fastest female servers. Each will be matched up with a sponsor that has pre-committed to a final donation calculated on a per mile per hour basis. Each server will be given five more balls to serve, and the speed of the fastest correct serve will be used to calculate the final donation of the sponsor."
Former varsity captain and tennis pro Johnny Reed, who graduated last season, will be on hand to give some high intensity lessons for those interested. There also will be music, food and raffles going on.
But Ace Out Autism isn't just for club tennis members, as anyone is eligible to participate in the event.
"We have high expectations for this event, even though it is a first time," Kar said. "Although the money is being donated to a good cause… our primary goal is to gain the participation of the entire local community, and not just the tennis players. We believe that in rough times, common goals and causes provide great support to a community, and our mission is to help people realize this."
With their event, the team is hoping more clubs follow suit with fundraisers like Ace Out Autism.
"Ace Out Autism is a first step towards our vision of a interconnected student body," Kar said. "We hope that AOA will serve as an example to other organizations for better student body collaboration in the future."
Events like this are not possible without great sponsors. The club has 11 student organizations sponsoring them, as well as many individuals and businesses around the area.
The tennis club feels the event could be its biggest accomplishment.
"It puts us on the campus map for the school," Harrison said. "It lets people know there is a tennis club, and it helps out a great cause."
To attend Ace Out Autism the cost is $5, and if you wish to know more about this event visit the event's Web site http://aceoutautism.weebly.com/.
Be the first to comment on this article!