April 2009

AFA Endorsed by Tom Gullikson, Tennis Great and Former United States Davis Cup Captain

ATHLETES FOR AMERICA Founder, Billy McGehee announced today that Tom Gullikson will endorse the AFA National Emergency Preparedness program. “I have asked Tom to help integrate our national awareness, educational and Emergency Preparedness training programs into the overall national tennis system. Our primary goal will be to introduce First Aid, CPR, and AED training as well as Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to as many teaching and playing professionals as possible. Ultimately, it would be wonderful to have every teaching and playing professional in America trained and participating in the AFA National Emergency Preparedness Network” said McGehee.

“I am honored, humbled and proud to sign on with Billy’s great team of athletes around the country to support his terrific program, ATHLETES FOR AMERICA. I will do my part in the tennis community to spread awareness, understanding and support for the mission and the goals for this program” said Gullikson.

Tom Gullikson was one of the best singles and doubles players in the World. In 1984 Tom was ranked World number 34 in singles and World number 9 in doubles with his twin brother Tim. He won 16 top level doubles titles- ten of them with his twin brother Tim Gullikson. The brothers were runners-up in the men’s doubles competition at Wimbledon in 1983. Tom also won the mixed doubles title at the US Open in 1984 and the singles title at Newport in 1985. He retired from the professional tour in 1987.

After retiring as a player, Tom became one of the original members of the United States Tennis Association Player Development Program, coaching players such as Todd Martin, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick. He served as Director of Coaching for the program from 1987 to 2001.

Tom became the United States Davis Cup Captain in 1994 and captained the team that won the Davis Cup in 1995.

In 1996, Tom was coach of the US men’s Olympic tennis team, and guided Andre Agassi to winning the Olympic Gold Medal in Atlanta.

“I am very proud to have the opportunity to work with such a great player, coach, gentleman and friend. Tom Gullikson is the exact role model that ATHLETES FOR AMERICA wants as a role model for this very important program. His vision, energy and professional background will help us continue to accelerate our mission to build America’s largest civilian emergency preparedness network. In this case thousands of tennis professionals will help America become a much safer place to live” said McGehee.