June 5, 2008

News Release

TISD Foundation Hosts 15^th Annual Tournament

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:  Tom Slack and the tournament committee will present an oversized check of $40,000 to the Tyler ISD Foundation President Mike Thomas, Tyler ISD Superintendent Randy Reid, and Tyler ISD School Board of Trustees Members at 12:00 noon at Cascades Golf Club.  Family members of Gil Hitt will be present.

With graduation completed on Saturday, Tyler ISD will be hitting the golf course on Monday, June 9^th, at 12:15 p.m. with the Tyler ISD Foundation’s 15^th Annual Gil Hitt Memorial Golf Tournament to be held at Cascades Golf Club, located at 2611 Cascades Golf Club Drive, in Tyler.

Tom Slack, volunteer chair of the event for the past several years, said that more than 20 teams of six players will be playing for the Tyler ISD Foundation, a nonprofit organization which benefits the public schools of Tyler ISD. 

“This is the largest single day fundraiser for the Foundation,” said Slack.

The Foundation provides funding for district-wide initiatives linked to student success, as well classroom and campus grants, special events, and academic and service recognition.

The schedule of events:

          11 a.m. Burger Buffet

          12 noon Announcements

          12:15 p.m. Shotgun Start

          5:30 p.m. Results and Silent Auction Concludes

According to Larry Goddard, Executive Director of the Tyler ISD Foundation, the tournament is named in memory of Gil Hitt, a well-respected Tyler businessman and community leader who was serving as president of the Tyler Independent School District board of trustees at the time of his death in 1997.  A graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Hitt was a true advocate of public education.  He served as an ex-officio director of the Tyler ISD Foundation.  His family continues to represent Mr. Hitt at each tournament.  Erin Hitt, daughter of Gil Hitt, is a Tyler ISD teacher at Dixie Elementary. 

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