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Home , Andy Roddick, John Isner, Mardy Fish, Melanie Oudin

Contact: Lindsey Hagen 316. 253.1613 or [email protected]

Geoff Garmhausen 502.588.7152 or [email protected]

MELANIE OUDIN HEADLINES KANSAS CHARITY EVENT Second Edition of Champions for Charity benefiting Genesis Foundation for Fitness & (GFFT)

Wichita, KS (October 14, 2009) America’s best and brightest tennis stars are coming to America’s Heartland. Teen Sensation and 2009 US Open Quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin teams up with an All-Star cast for the second edition of Champions for Charity. The event will take place on Sunday, December 6, 2009 (3PM) at Hartman Arena located at 8151 N. Hartman Arena Dr., Park City, KS. Oudin will be joined by the world’s #1 ranked Doubles team of Bob and along with 6’9’ , and former Olympic Silver Medalist , both ranked in the top 50 of the world singles rankings. The Event will be hosted by Wayne Bryan, father of the .

In its inaugural year in 2006, Champions for Charity featured and was played at the Rock Road location of Genesis Health Clubs. The Event was sold-out (nearly 2,000 spectators) and helped raise over $20,000 for the Daniel M. Carney Rehabilitation Engineering Center Wheelchair Seating Program for Children at the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF) and the newly created Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis (GFFT). Now with the opening of the new state-of-the-art Hartman Arena, the event is able to return with the intention to become an annual fundraising exhibition. Founded in 2006, the purpose of GFFT, a 501(c)(3) organization is to provide funds to allow all citizens, regardless of background and means, the opportunity to participate in recreational and/or competitive fitness activities. GFFT also provides funding and scholarships for individuals interested in tennis, both for recreation and competition. The Foundation will provide this funding to at-risk, disadvantaged and otherwise under-funded youth.

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“It’s such a pleasure and rare opportunity to be able to bring tennis players of this caliber to Kansas”, said Bill Faflick, GFFT Board President. “If we can further establish our state and city as a place for great tennis it will encourage more young kids to pick up a racquet and healthy habits early that can be sustained for life”.

Showcasing the best in men’s and women’s professional tennis, the format for the main event will consist of Mixed Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Singles and Men’s Singles. The afternoon will be complemented by music and an atmosphere of high-energy hosted by Wayne Bryan, who will entertain the crowd through fan interactive activities. Melanie’s singles opponent will be announced at a later date. Doors will open at 2:00PM at Hartman Arena with play scheduled to start at 3PM (Format, time and order of play subject to change).

Melanie Oudin, then just 17 years old officially became “America’s Sweetheart” during the 2009 U.S. Open. On perhaps the tennis world’s biggest stage, Oudin enchanted the crowd and viewers all over the world by defeating top seeds , and in a thrilling run to the Quarterfinals. From her success in New York, Oudin has appeared on numerous talk shows including The Late Show with Conan O’Brien and Ellen.

“I am really excited to be coming to Kansas”, said Oudin.” I have watched The Bryans, Mardy and John play for many years growing up so I can't wait to play with them. This will be a lot of fun for a great cause”.

Bob and Mike Bryan, the most successful brothers team in doubles tennis history, have amassed seven (7) titles on all surfaces and fifty-five (55) ATP World Tour titles including six titles in 2009. Collectively, they have also won eight (8) mixed doubles titles. Off the court, the multi-talented Bob & Mike teamed up with musician David Baron to release their first music CD, Let It Rip. Bob plays keyboards and Mike plays drums.

Mardy Fish, one of the most popular players on the ATP World Tour is a former Olympic Silver Medalist (2004) and a two-time Quarterfinalist at the U.S. Open. He has reached a career high world ranking of #13 and holds three (3) career singles titles and seven (7) doubles titles. -more- P. 3/Champions for Charity

John Isner, standing at 6’ 9”, is one of the tallest tennis players in the world. This summer at the U.S. Open, Isner shocked former world #1 and U.S. Open Champion Andy Roddick in five sets and achieved a career high rank of #39 in the world. Isner also has one of the fastest serves on tour and is ranked #6 in aces with 566 served in 2009.

“Melanie has energized women’s tennis and touched so many young Americans with her success last month at the U.S. Open, said Mary Buschmann, USTA Missouri Valley Executive Director. “We have the chance to watch a real champion.”

“Hartman Arena is proud to host these elite athletes for what should truly be one of the best events for this area in 2009,” said Wink Hartman, Owner of Hartman Arena. “The arena configuration is ideal for tennis offering seats extremely close to the action.”

Less than 3,000 seats will be sold so the event is expected to sell out quickly. Individual ticket prices range from $40 for a Reserved Seat and $65 for Premium Seats. Discounted Family & Friends Reserved ($35) and Premium Seat packages ($55) will also be available when purchasing four seats or more along with Student and Military discounts in select sections for just $25 per ticket.

So save the date, December 6, 2009 for Champions for Charity at Hartman Arena. Tickets are on sale starting Friday October 23rd though all Stage1Tickets outlets, on-line at www.stage1tickets.com or by calling 316-927-3999. You can also purchase tickets at the Hartman Arena Box Office located at 8151 N. Hartman Arena Dr., Park City, KS 67147. For more information visit www.hartmanarena.com

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About Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis (GFFT) Founded in 2006 by Rodney Steven II, owner of Genesis Health Clubs, the purpose of the Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis is to provide funds to allow all citizens, regardless of background and means, the opportunity to participate in recreational and/or competitive fitness activities. GFFT will provide funding, scholarships and programs for individuals interested in a variety of athletic endeavors relating to all forms of physical activity, both for recreation and competition. www.genesisfoundationwichita.com