LV’s Agassi named as ‘Caring Athlete’

Victoria Sun

Friday, April 5, 2002 | 11:04 a.m.

Andre Agassi stood in a corner of Eddie Goodwin's fourth grade classroom at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy next to Senator Harry Reid D-Nev., enamored of what was unfolding before his eyes.

Students smiled as they danced, rapped and chanted a multiplication table.

They enthusiastically listened to Goodwin as she gamely recited instructions in rhyme.

It was all part of a unique learning method using multi-sensory teaching techniques called Fearless Math by Harriet J. Ball.

"It's incredible for me to see it firsthand," Agassi said, clearly impressed. "There wasn't one kid that was at grade level coming here and probably at least two-thirds of them are at grade level in just six months.

"So it just shows you what the commitment of the faculty members here, to (principal) Wayne (Tanaka) who puts together a great program, means to the kids and how much the kids are enjoying it."

Agassi's commitment to improving the lives of kids in Southern Nevada was recognized in a ceremony at the school Thursday afternoon.

USA WEEKEND Magazine named Agassi and Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning their 2001 Most Caring Athletes.

A magazine representative presented him a trophy, which he dutifully held up like a tennis trophy for the kids to see, and a check to the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation for $5,000.

Sen. Reid, who has a classroom named in his honor, handed Agassi a Grand Slam-sized check in the amount of $1.5 mil. for the Charter School Development Foundation.

"It's all about opportunity," Agassi said of the school. "Just giving the kids an opportunity to learn and grow.

"It's pretty special to receive the award. For me, it's the result of a lot of hard work. The greatest reward is being here and seeing these kids."

Agassi spent the afternoon visiting different classrooms with Reid and Tanaka.

The first-year school has 136 students in grades 3-5 with grades 6-12 being phased in yearly.

Each classroom is equipped with computers and state-of-the art learning equipment.

When 10-year-old Princess Coffee first arrived at the school, she thought it was a hoax when Goodwin told her the class would be allowed to have fun while learning.

While Coffee spoke about the many benefits of attending Agassi's school, the other kids gathered around, shaking their heads in agreement.

"At our old school, our teacher would say stop that this instant," she said of the dancing and stomping. "I like this school because it gives you chances you wouldn't have at another school.

"You wouldn't get teachers like this at any other school. I feel thankful to Mr. Agassi because he is a wonderful man and he donated a lot of money to give us hope for the future."

Michael Fields, 9, quickly interjected when the subject of the future was raised.

"This school is going to give us a better chance of going to college," Fields said confidently.