STACEY PLAISANCE / L’Observateur / August 17, 1998

NEW ORLEANS – St. Charles Parish residents Dr. Guy Favaloro and FrankHouse won third place in the second annual “Serve It Up” tennis tournament hosted by Mega-City Area Special Olympics and Tulane University’s women’s tennis program.

Special Olympics is a non-profit, year-round sports organization for mentally disabled individuals, and all funds raised from the “Serve It Up” tennis tournament help athletes in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard andPlaquemines parishes.

“One-hundred percent of the funds go to the athletes,” said Mega-City Area Director Ann Bates. “The funds are used for things like uniforms,assessment fees, local competitions and to rent facilities.”More than 23 sports are offered to athletes involved in the Special Olympics program, including bowling, bocce, volleyball and tennis.

The “Serve It Up” tennis tournament was held over the weekend at Tulane University’s Goldring Tennis Center under the direction of Jennifer Tuero- Melius, Tulane women’s tennis head coach, and Lane Bates. Harry Prieurwas the tournament referee.

There were 82 participants in the doubles tournament, and Favaloro and House placed third in the Men’s 4.0. Each winner was presented with agold, silver or bronze medal.

This was the first year the “Serve It Up” tennis tournament was sanctioned by the Louisiana Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association.

“The tournament really grew this year, and it will continue to grow,” Bates said. “We were the only sanctioned tournament in the area thatweekend, and we had more participation because of the sanctioning. Wehad a wonderful turnout and wonderful weather.”Bates said volunteers were a vital part of the tournament, and several volunteers were from the River Parishes area.

“We had volunteers from St. John Parish, and that’s also where thejambalaya came from,” Bates said.

“We had about 30 volunteers in all, and that includes the directors, who are also volunteers. Other volunteers served as court monitors and ran theregistration and food services.”Sponsors of the event included Winn Dixie, Bally’s Casino, Jambalaya & Co., Tulane University, Radiofone, 10-K, Kentwood Spring Waters,Westbank Trophies, Tomba Communications and Bruno’s.

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