Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) and top-ranked Americ an tennis star Andy Roddick announced the Andy Roddick Youth Tennis Program on Oct. 3, 2007, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, Mr. Roddick joined children participating in the program on the OLLU tennis courts for instruction and demonstration of his famous fastest serve in the world.

The program at OLLU was launched in September 2007 with students from Cleto L. Rodriguez Elementary School, located across the street from the university. All fifth grade students from the school participate in the program for one semester as part of their Physical Education class, and students from kindergarten through fifth grade are also able to participate in the after-school component. The approximately 60 students enrolled receive two hours of tennis instruction from tennis pro Sal Castillo and one hour of the "Living Smart/Living Strong" Development and Guidance Program, led by OLLU Education faculty. This section builds on the health and wellness benefits of the tennis instruction and provides life skills enhancing personal, health and nutrition, social, career and academic potential. Two new lessons per week are delivered to the various youth program participants. Instruction will be reinforced by the San Antonio Independent School District's Bienestar Health Program.

Other participants include students of St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School and members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio, Calderon Branch.

"We are excited about the potential for this program to help children from all different backgrounds achieve success off and on the tennis court," stated Andy Roddick. "The San Antonio model can and should be taken to other parts of the country and be expanded to make a difference in the lives of thousands of other boys and girls."

Five OLLU undergraduate students have received scholarships ranging from $9,000 to $12,000 per academic year to administer and provide tennis instruction in the program, as well. The students administering the program are senior Melissa Piedra, English major and senior Frank P. Hernandez, history major. Those providing tennis instruction are junior Samantha Rodriguez, music major, sophomore Monserrat Sierra, psychology major; and freshman Elizabeth Rodriguez, political science major.

The goals of the Andy Roddick Youth Tennis Program at OLLU are to introduce tennis and its lifelong fitness and social empowerment benefits to the youth of San Antonio's West Side; identify and properly support young players with the potential and desire to play tennis in local, national and international competitions; give program participants personal, nutrition and health, social and career life skills to help them make smart choices as adults and become ethical and productive citizens; and encourage and financially support program participants in their academic endeavors, especially the goal of earning a college degree, producing well-educated and physically fit youth on the West Side.

Four students from St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School are being offered enrollment in the FastTrack Youth Program. The program offers private lessons geared toward the child's advancement to the competition level.

"This project is another strong example of the robust and sustaining relationship between the University and the neighboring community," stated David C. Estes, PhD, OLLU Executive Vice President. "We especially like the way it places boys and girls on a college campus - a powerful and proven step in raising aspirations in life, especially the goal of earning a college degree."

Andy Roddick's brother, Dr. Lawrence Roddick, a chiropractor in San Antonio, played the lead role in designing the program and recruiting the partners. Partners include the Andy Roddick Foundation, the Rene Lacoste Foundation, the United States Tennis Association Tennis & Education Foundation, Our Lady of the Lake University, St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School, San Antonio Independent School District, Cleto L. Rodriguez Elementary School and the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio, Calderon Branch.

For additional information on the program, contact Patty Constantin at 210-434-6711, ext. 2373 or plconstantin@lake.ollusa.edu.

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The program will provide weekly tennis instruction, taught by a professional. Classes will teach fairness and team cooperation, while offering the opportunity for the continuity not available in one-day instruction events. The program will be available to students of OLLU, Cleto L. Rodriguez Elementary School, St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School and members of the Calderon Branch of the Boys and Girls Club of San Antonio.

Enrollment in the FastTrack Youth Program will offer private lessons geared toward the child's advancement into the competition circuit.

"Living Smart/Living Strong" Development and Guidance Program, led by OLLU Education faculty, will build on the health and wellness benefits of the tennis instruction and provide life skills enhancing personal, health and nutrition, social, career and academic potential. Components include Nutrition, Character Development, Making Health Choices, Values for Life, Speakers Program and Mentoring Relationships. Two lessons per week will be delivered to the various youth program participants. Instruction will be reinforced by the San Antonio Independent School District's Bienestar Health Program.