NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans men's and women's tennis teams will partner with the United States Olympic Committee Athletes' Advisory Council on Friday in an effort to rehabilitate the Behrman Tennis Center.
The project will include the restoration of several tennis courts, painting of tennis buildings and landscaping. The Behrman Tennis Center (2529 General Meyer Ave.) is part of the Behrman Memorial Park, which is the largest public, multi-venue recreational facility on the Westbank of New Orleans.
The AAC is one of three USOC constituent councils that advises the organization's board and staff. It is made up of 60 athletes who have represented the United States in international competition.
AAC participants in the New Orleans program will include Allison Baver (speed skating), Julia Clukey (luge), Jen Hudak (skiing), Kalyn Keller (swimming), Sarah Konrad (biathlon), Greg Louganis (diving), Aaron Mann (canoe/kayak), Paul Martin (para-cycling), Richard Maskel (curling), Cody Mattern (fencing), Jon McCullough (para-soccer), Gary Morgan (track & field), Matt Van Houten (team handball) and Trischa Zorn-Hudson (para-swimming).
"The athletes who make up the AAC are committed to giving back to the community," said Van Houten, chair of the AAC. "This initiative in New Orleans offers us a fantastic opportunity to restore greatness to an area that was adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina while promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect."
The program is being coordinated through ServeNOLA, the service initiative of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu's office; Hike for KaTREEna, which assists Katrina victims; and the University of New Orleans Athletic Department.
"It is especially gratifying when athletes of Olympic and Paralympic caliber and achievement give their time and energy to improve recreational opportunities for our youth," said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "Such partnerships as this with the U. S. Olympic Committee Athletes' Advisory Council and the University of New Orleans will make a difference in our community for many years to come."
The UNO tennis team under the direction of head coach
Burzis Kanga last partnered with ServeNOLA and Hike for KaTREEna in January. Approximately 300 volunteers paired with the Privateers to plant approximately 1,000 trees and shrubs around the University Tennis Center on the UNO East Campus.
“One of the things I stress to my team is serving our community and how we can give back,” said Kanga. “Our student-athletes look forward to getting involved with Hike for KaTREEna and contributing to an effort that has that played a major role in our city's recovery since the storm.”
ABOUT THE AAC
The Athletes' Advisory Council is responsible for broadening communication between the United States Olympic Committee and active athletes, and serves as a source of input and advice to the USOC board of directors. The AAC consists of at least one athlete from each sport in which the United States is represented at the Olympic and Pan American Games, eight athletes representing the Paralympic Sport Organizations or NGBs designated to govern a Paralympic sport, and six athletes elected by the AAC to serve at-large, including a chair and two vice chairs.
ABOUT HIKE FOR KATREENA
Hike for KaTREEna was established by Monique Pilié, who in 2006 hiked the 2175 miles of the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness of Hurricane Katrina's impact on the city's treescape. Her goal was to raise enough money to plant one tree in New Orleans for every mile she hiked. Since her return back in New Orleans, she has teamed with a host of volunteers locally and across the country to replace the tens of thousands of trees throughout the community.More information about the organization can be found at
http://www.hikeforkatreena.com/
The United States Olympic Committee contributed to the above release.
