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Division of Diversity and Community Engagement

Division of Diversity and Community Engagement

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Good Sports: Jordan Spieth Family Foundation Donates Sport Court to UT-University Charter School

By Jessica Sinn •

Image of Jordan Speith
Image of Jordan Speith
Photo of Jordan Spieth by Dom Furore, courtesy of the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation

Early this fall, a gathering of faculty, staff, students and friends came together to celebrate their new sport court at a University of Texas-University Charter School campus located at the Texas NeuroRehab Center. Complete with basketball hoops and a four-square court, this new gift, provided by the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation, is a welcome addition to school.

From left: Dottie Goodman, executive principal, TNC; Laura Moses, representative, Jordan Spieth Family Foundation; Dr. Melissa Chavez, superintendent, UT-UCS; Eddie Cornejo, owner, CCS Construction Services; David Anderson, board member, UT-UCS advisory board
From left: Dottie Goodman, executive principal, TNC; Laura Moses, representative, Jordan Spieth Family Foundation; Dr. Melissa Chavez, superintendent, UT-UCS; Eddie Cornejo, owner, CCS Construction Services; David Anderson, board member, UT-UCS advisory board

During the ceremony, Dottie Goodman, UT-University Charter School executive principal, expressed her excitement about the enrichment the new court will bring into the lives of her students with special needs. Located in South Austin, the school serves children and adolescents from across the nation who are debilitated by emotional and cognitive disorders. Many have suffered through severe trauma and are experiencing positive reinforcement and structure for the first time.

Thankful for the new cheerful spot on campus, several students expressed their gratitude at the celebratory event. One student stated that the sport court brought everyone together like a family reunion. Another said that it brought joy and happiness into his daily life. Due to the rain, the ribbon-cutting portion of the ceremony was cancelled. Yet the weather didn’t dampen the indoor celebration. Dr. Melissa Chavez, superintendent of the UT Charter School System, provided welcome remarks, highlighting the educational value of outdoor recreation.

In addition to playing sports, students will use the space for various activities—from morning meditations to team-building exercises. The lessons they’ll learn from the court, Chavez noted, will serve them well when they transition into the next phase of their lives. Chavez, along with Goodman and UT-University Charter School teachers, gave a special thanks to the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation and Eddie Cornejo of CCS Construction Services.

A former Longhorn, Jordan Spieth is a celebrated professional golfer and philanthropist. The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation offers a platform for Jordan to support four philanthropic areas: special needs youth, junior golf, military support and pediatric cancer.