Passion and love make a hero

For athletes in professional sports who are deemed to be the greatest at what they do usually show little to no flaw in their game. Their dominance in the game adds expectation of greatness in every aspect of not only their career, but what they accomplish outside of the glory. For tennis great and former number 1 ranked Andre Agassi, his drive for excellence has made him not only one of the greatest to step onto the tennis court, but to some the most charitable and socially involved player in tennis and in some regards, the greatest of his generation.

Aside from dominating many aspects of the tennis world and being deemed one of the most charismatic players in the game, Agassi has helped raised millions and has assisted thousands of at risk children in Southern Nevada. In 1994, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation was created with goals of helping youth in the Las Vegas area by building shelters for abused and neglected children. The foundation spawned the Andre Agassi Boys and Girls Clubs as well as developing Team Agassi, a tennis program that looks after professional players and puts a college education within reach.

In December of 2001, Agassi’s foundation in partnership with the Clark County School District opened a tuition-free charter school called the ‘Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy’. Located in West Las Vegas, ‘Agassi Prep’ focuses on the education and development of young people and has been deemed a ‘model’ charter school. Agassi Prep graduated its first senior class in 2009 with a 100 percent college acceptance rate.

Throughout his 20-year career Agassi has given to numerous charities and has spent countless hours on his own. Since his retirement at the 2006 US Open, Andre Agassi has participated in multiple charitable tournaments and has focused more of his time and energy on his foundation. He recently stated that he, alongside a Los Angeles- based investment firm, wanted to open up 75 charter schools across the United States. With over 1000 children on his schools waiting list, his goal is to equip the schools with top learning facilities and more opportunity for at risk kids.

In 2007, alongside sports greats such as Muhammad Ali; Tony Hawk; Mia Hamm; Jeff Gordon; Mario Lemieux and others; the Athletes For Hope charity was founded. The charities main priority is to help athletes get involved with charitable causes and it drives to inspire everyone to volunteer and help out in their community.

Agassi retired from the sport at the age of 36 winning 60 men’s single titles, 8 Grand Slams and is the only male to win all 4 Grand Slam Titles and an Olympic Gold Medal. His was and still is considered a class act on the tennis court and has become much more to the thousands of kids he helped open the door to success for and helped accomplish dreams that only seemed like a fairy tale to many of them. He has earned his title as one of the best in the tennis world and that of the most charitable.