NSSRA Gator Tennis Player and Wilmette ...Fan Xidas Plays

NSSRA Gator Tennis Player and Wilmette Resident Stefan Xidas Plays Exhibition Match, Sings National Anthem at Nielsen/USTA Tennis Tournament

Wilmette-Kenilworth, IL By Sheilah Burnham (Open Post) - (http://patch.com/users/sheilah-burnham) July 14, 2012 3:23 pm ET (http://contribute.patch.com/moderation/6167931)

Local organization specializing in recreation for area individuals with disabilities charitable recipient of tournament held 7/2 7/7

WINNETKA, IL – The intense summer heat did not dampen the enthusiasm of the tennis fans supporting NSSRA, the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association on Monday, July 2nd. The local organization, which provides specialized recreation programs and services to individuals with disabilities in partnership with local recreation agencies, was once again the charitable recipient of this year’s Nielsen/USTA tennis tournament, held July 2nd through the 7th at the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center in Winnetka. “We are so grateful to Nielsen/USTA for their dedicated support of our organization and our athletes,” said Craig Culp, Executive Director, NSSRA. “As charitable recipient of the tournament for many years now, we are honored by Nielsen/USTA’s continued generosity, and proud to have the opportunity to share the talents of our terrific athletes with the tournament’s attendees. Programs like NSSRA’s Gator Tennis give people with different levels of ability the chance to join in and experience the life-enhancing benefits of sport.”

Wilmette resident and NSSRA Gator Tennis team player Stefan Xidas kicked off the evening’s matches with a special exhibition game against Gator Tennis coach and A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center Assistant Manager Pat Fragassi of Mundelein.

Fresh off his match with Coach Fragassi, Stefan then sang a rousing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner as his fellow team members stood by in support.

John Lewis, President, Consumer North America, Nielsen introduced Stefan and other members of the Gator Tennis team including Josh Devries of Deerfield, Sam Green of Winnetka, James Oh of Northfield and Chris Pullman of Glenview.

Supporters of NSSRA also enjoyed a catered dinner and drinks in a courtside tent along with evening matches as part of the fundraiser.

NSSRA’s Gator Tennis program is one of many sport-related offerings from NSSRA. The organization, founded in 1970, serves more than 1,600 children and adults with physical, developmental, emotional or other disabilities living in its partner communities on the North Shore. Aside from NSSRA’s Gator Tennis program, NSSRA has over 800 recreational, sport, cultural, social, and leisure offerings available during the day, after school, in the evenings and on weekends during the course of the year, creating new experiences, opportunities for leisure time, skill development and perhaps most importantly, friendship. NSSRA’s inclusion support option provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy full participation in partner recreation programs while receiving the one-on-one support they need to succeed. Most agency programs are planned and conducted by full time staff trained in the provision of recreation activities for people with disabilities. NSSRA’s Gator Athletics/Special Olympics training and competitions span 17 sports.

Supporters of NSSRA also enjoyed a catered dinner and drinks in a courtside tent along with evening matches as part of the fundraiser. NSSRA’s Gator Tennis program is one of many sport-related offerings from NSSRA. The organization, founded in 1970, serves more than 1,600 children and adults with physical, developmental, emotional or other disabilities living in its partner communities on the North Shore. Aside from NSSRA’s Gator Tennis program, NSSRA has over 800 recreational, sport, cultural, social, and leisure offerings available during the day, after school, in the evenings and on weekends during the course of the year, creating new experiences, opportunities for leisure time, skill development and perhaps most importantly, friendship. NSSRA’s inclusion support option provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy full participation in partner recreation programs while receiving the one-on-one support they need to succeed. Most agency programs are planned and conducted by full time staff trained in the provision of recreation activities for people with disabilities. NSSRA’s Gator Athletics/Special Olympics training and competitions span 17 sports.

ABOUT NSSRA: The Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) provides and facilitates year-round recreation programs and services for children and adults with disabilities who live in its partner communities. NSSRA is an intergovernmental partnership of ten park districts, two cities and one village in the northern suburbs of Chicago. It includes intergovernmental partnerships with the Park Districts of Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Kenilworth, Lake Bluff, Northbrook,lmette/s/fti9z/tvs- Northfield, Wilmette, and Winnetka, the Cities of Highwood and Lake Forest, and the Village of Riverwoods. For more information, visit www.nssra.org.

ABOUT THE USTA PRO CIRCUIT: With 95 challenger tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from $50,000 to $150,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the U.S. Open and tour-level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women from more than 70 lmette/s/fthzg/honesty- countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit for approximately $3.2 million in prize money and valuable ATP and WTA Tour ranking points. Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, James Blake, Andy Murray, Jelena Jankovic, David Nalbandian and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are among today’s top stars that began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit. The USTA Pro Circuit is world-class tennis administered on the local level and played on local tennis courts as part of the fabric of communities nationwide—an opportunity for current and new fans to experience the excitement and intensitylmette/s/fthzu/court- of the professional game in their neighborhood. For the results of this year’s challenge, visit www.nielsenprotennis.com.