Rage in the Cage - 2009

 

   On March 20-21,2009, the Charlie's Champions Foundation hosted the 11th Annual Rage In The Cage platform tennis tournament in Garden City, Long Island. This year's event started on Friday night with the Underage In The Cage, a junior event in which 125 kids attended-some to learn the fundamentals of the sport and others to compete with their friends. Pizza was served and music played as fun was had by all. On Saturday, the adult version of the Rage was played-with 28 and 32 mixed doubles teams competing in the "A" and "B" draws respectively. With matches starting at 8am and all teams quaranteed 3 matches, their was plenty of paddle played during this one day event. When the finals concluded around 8pm the winners of this year's tournament were Alex Bancila/Michelle Griffith, who beat Mark Ruppert/Liz Jaffe in a well played three setter in the "A" draw and Dan Englander/Aileen Pappas over Kevin and Eileen Dillon in the "B" draw. At last it was time for the popular tent party which was attended by 285 supporters of the Charlie's Champions Foundation. They were served dinner and entertained by the band, His Boy Elroy, who played some old favorites throughout the night. This years event raised $65,000 to support the Cancer Center For Kids, which is affiliated with Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola,Long Island. The Charlie's Champions Foundation would like to thank everyone who attended and supported this years successful event.

   Thanks to Garden City Pizza, Walkstreet, Abbey Rent-All, ADELPHI Deli, and Duane Hayden for donating their services.

   Underage was run by Jen Schmitt and Sally Mclaughlin with the help of Paddle Pro’s, Alex Bancila, John Dehler, Taylor Stanton, Liz Jaffe, David Asaiwa and Sue Tarzian. “TJ the DJ” was there and had all the kids rockin in the tent. They all had crazy hairdos and outfits,really got into the spirit, were having fun with it – along with playing. Not an easy task to orchestrate 125 kids but Jen and Sally pulled it off.

   Thanks to our Gold and Silver Sponsors: Dennis and Norma Tslentis, Neal and Peggy Griffin, The Andy Foundation, National Land Tenure, The Dillemeier Family, Lane Furniture – The Burke Family, Hallen Construction – The Poole Family, IDP Consulting – The Sperry Family, The Thornton Family, Bob Considine – PaddlePro, The Haeffner Family, The Cassaro Family, Tim and Jen Schmitt, The Dehler Family.

   Thanks to Hut Captains, Jim Healy (also umpired the finals)(RAGE wouldn’t be the same with him) Martin Dehler (Gramps – Pop Pop flew in from Florida) Pat Maloney Co Director and “have paddle will play” gal. Schmitty for making the 60 team draw without a flaw. The Cancer Center For Kids volunteers – Nicole, Keri, Krista Linda and special guest – Liz Menges.

   Thanks to (CCF Kids) Bobby Menges and Charlie Schmitt for kicking it up with the band. Got the party started with the Who’s …………..(ask Glenn what song they played first) Bobby’s screaming guitar almost blew the tent over ϑ Glenn Schifano, CCK’s Music Therapist for donating his time and rallying His Boy Elroy.

   Raffle donators: The Reddington Family, The Schmitt Family and Marty Dehler, Jr.

   Once again it was a gorgeous day weather wise. The paddle was fun for the novice and the nationally ranked. That’s sort of the beauty of the event. It combines so many people: paddle players, partier’s, spectators, friends of friends, familys, kids, music fans, the food by Cherry Valley Club is delicious.

   Paddle participants came from all over: Westchester, Manhassett, Port Washington, Bayville, Bayshore, East Hampton, Manhattan, New Jersey, Connecticut. But majority were from the home town of Garden City.