San Antonio Scorpions are a force to be reckoned with

scorpions logoThe San Antonio Scorpions have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in the North American Soccer League. The team is currently in the running for The Championship, which is the league’s four-team postseason tournament, and are second in the Combined Standings. In addition, the Alamo City Boys have officially secured a semifinal match to be played on Saturday, November 8, at Toyota Field.

For the Scorpions, the 2014 NASL Fall Season has been filled with numerous achievements. The team has set a new team record for total points earned with 49, and extended their team record for wins to 15. Furthermore, the Scorpions have scored the second most goals with 42, and have allowed the fewest goals with 24.

The red-and-black also set multiple team and league records earlier in the fall season, including a nine game unbeaten streak, a six game road winning streak, three straight shutouts, and seven straight games scoring at least two goals.

Critical to the team’s success is the commitment and passion from both the players and the coaching staff. By sticking to the game plan and working as a unit, the San Antonio Scorpions are coming ever closer to achieving their ultimate goal: winning the championship title.

Below is the link to buy tickets to the Scorpions’ semifinal match against the New York Cosmos. Tickets can also be purchased at the Toyota Field box office, by calling the Scorpions at 210-495-8686, or at sascorpions.com.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/3A004D4EF9CF32C6

Soccer for a Cause unveils proposed expansion of Toyota Field to create top-tier soccer stadium

scorpions logoSoccer for a causeSoccer for a Cause unveiled a proposed expansion of the home of the San Antonio Scorpions – Toyota Field – to make it one of the nation’s premier soccer and special-events venues.

“The escalating interest in the Scorpions and professional soccer over the past two years has been mind-boggling,” said Gordon Hartman, who launched Soccer for a Cause to bring pro soccer to San Antonio and benefit the special-needs community.  “We are blessed to be a franchise playing in the North American Soccer League, however we must be prepared to expand once support and investment are secured to allow for additional opportunities.

“We want to be ready to take our venue to the next level as fan and sponsor support in soccer continues to grow.  The recent World Cup competition serves as a great example that the most popular sport internationally is gaining even more popularity all over the globe including San Antonio and South Texas.”

In the interest of elevating soccer to the highest professional level, District 10 City Councilman Mike Gallagher has already received the support of four fellow Council colleagues to request that the full City Council pass a resolution affirming its desire to assist in bringing Major League Soccer (MLS) to San Antonio.

“The success of the San Antonio Scorpions and Toyota Field is providing compelling evidence that a professional soccer market exists here in San Antonio,” Councilman Gallagher said.  “Soccer has the same potential to transform San Antonio into a major league city as pro basketball did over 43 years ago.  The opportunity to bring MLS to San Antonio not only benefits the citizens of this city but also impacts South and Central Texas and Mexico.”

Toyota Field Additions and Improvements
The cost to expand Toyota Field is estimated at $38-45 million.  Designed by Pro Sports Developments (PSD) of San Antonio, the expansion envisions the addition of 10,000 seats to the existing 8,000, with 9,000 of the new seats on a new upper tier that would create a bowl-like configuration around the playing field.

“A roof canopy above the new upper-tier seating would provide shade as well as amplify the crowd noise that Toyota Field is famous for,” Hartman explained.  “This would rival the fan experience and atmosphere of any top-tier soccer-specific stadium across the country.”

Eighteen suites accommodating up to 24 fans apiece would be added to the east side of the stadium, bringing the total number of Toyota Field suites to 32.  Plans also call for three new clubs – the East Club with 130 balcony seats on the east suite level, the West Club with 40 observation-terrace seats on the existing west suite level and a Members Club at the southeast corner of the stadium.  Club patrons and suite holders would be allowed to use a new entrance directly across from existing reserved parking.

Other proposed enhancements include concessions, restrooms and merchandise outlets on each stadium level to efficiently meet the level of fan demand at halftime; field lighting for Division 1 network broadcasting; and a team store accessible from inside and outside the stadium.

Just as Soccer for a Cause has been a “beacon of light” for San Antonio and professional sports, Hartman said, a high-powered beam of light is planned to extend from the southeast corner of the stadium high up into the night sky during Scorpions matches.  The shaft of light would be seen for miles away, reminding San Antonio and surrounding areas that the home team is on the pitch.  The beam of light would turn red when the Scorpions score a goal or win the match.

About Soccer for a Cause
In 2010, Soccer for a Cause mobilized community support for pro soccer and ultimately led to the establishment of the Scorpions franchise, the only one of its kind in professional sports.  The Scorpions and Toyota Field – along with the nearby STAR (South Texas Area Regional) Soccer Complex, with its 13 FIFA-sized fields for league and tournament play – commit all net profits to Morgan’s Wonderland, which was designed with special-needs individuals in mind and built to be enjoyed by everyone.  This helps the non-profit theme park meet its operating expenses as well as expand programs and services for the special-needs community.

Hartman sold his homebuilding business in 2005 to devote – along with wife Maggie – time, vision and energy to philanthropic pursuits.  They began with Morgan’s Wonderland so people of all ages with and without disabilities could come together in an inclusive, safe, totally wheelchair-accessible theme park for fun and understanding.  Now in its fifth season, Morgan’s Wonderland features more than 25 attractions including rides, playscapes and gardens spread out over 25 acres in what once was a limestone quarry.  The park admits anyone with a cognitive or physical special need free of charge.

Construction of Toyota Field began in April 2012, and the Scorpions played their first home match there a year later.  On Aug. 28, 2012, global automaker Toyota announced its presenting sponsorship of Toyota Field, which is also designed to host special events, community activities and concerts.  Toyota Field is owned and managed by the same 501C-3 non-profit organization as Morgan’s Wonderland.

Toyota Field is located adjacent to Morgan’s Wonderland at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive, a half-mile west of IH 35 in Northeast San Antonio.

For More Information
Additional information about Toyota Field is available at www.ToyotaField.com, while more info about the San Antonio Scorpions can be found at www.SAScorpions.com, http://www.Facebook.com/SanAntonioScorpions or http://www.Twitter.com/SAScorpions.  Visit www.MorgansWonderland.com or call (210) 495-5888 to learn more about Morgan’s Wonderland, and go to www.MonarchAcademy.net to find out more about Monarch Academy, a school for students with special needs next to Morgan’s Wonderland.

Returning Veterans to be saluted May 17, Armed Forces Day, at Morgan’s Wonderland

MorgansWonderland_logoMore than 1,000 military veterans and members of their immediate families will be saluted at Welcome Home, an Armed Forces Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Morgan’s Wonderland.

“We look forward to welcoming those who served in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn,” said Marie Weldon, director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), “however any veteran of the U. S. armed forces is invited to participate.”

Morgans WonderlandFor the third consecutive year, STVHCS and Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first theme park designed with special-needs individuals in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment, will team up to offer returning veterans a day of fun at the park plus special musical entertainment, food, games and prizes.

Information Fair _ Morgan's WonderlandIn addition to the family fun, veterans will have access to an information fair in the Morgan’s Wonderland Event Center on a wide variety of services available to them.  The 11 o’clock opening ceremonies will include remarks by Dr. Julianne Flynn, STVHCS chief of staff.

Many returning veterans with physical disabilities are taking advantage of STRAPS (South Texas Regional Adaptive and Paralympic Sports) at Morgan’s Wonderland.

Thanks to support from the San Antonio Scorpions pro soccer team and generous gifts from aerospace titan The Boeing Co., and Warm Springs, a leading provider of comprehensive rehabilitation services, STRAPS offers physically challenged athletes competition in sports such as wheelchair soccer, powerchair soccer, goalball (a sport similar to soccer for visually impaired athletes), wheelchair basketball and wheelchair softball.

For more information about Welcome Home, visit www.southtexas.va.gov.  Additional information can be found at www.MorgansWonderland.com and www.STRAPSsoccer.com.

Completely wheelchair-accessible, Morgan’s Wonderland is located at 5223 David Edwards Drive at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive just west of IH 35 in Northeast San Antonio.

Soccer for a Cause generates almost $700,000 for special-needs community, other charities

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toyota fieldSoccer for a Cause, a unique effort utilizing professional soccer to generate financial support for the special-needs community, made good on its pledge and this evening unveiled a check for $662,559 during halftime of the San Antonio Scorpions’ North American Soccer League (NASL) match with the New York Cosmos.

“The Scorpions and their newly opened stadium home, Toyota Field, are dedicated to producing net profits to help non-profit Morgan’s Wonderland meet its operating expenses as well as expand programs and services for those with special needs,” said philanthropist Gordon Hartman, CEO of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation. “Tonight’s check presentation reflects a very successful 2013 season for the Scorpions and Toyota Field, and we cannot say thank-you enough to our phenomenal fans and sponsors for their tremendous support.

“We’ve said from the launch of Soccer for a Cause that its purpose would be to produce revenue for the special-needs community, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that we’ve kept that promise. I’m also delighted that the check presentation occurred in front of our devoted fans and in the presence of the New York Cosmos, one of the iconic franchises in all of professional soccer.”

Hartman, who as owner of the Scorpions does not benefit financially from the team or stadium, said the almost-$700,000 grand total includes $20,000 to help Oklahoma City tornado victims (following a summer friendly match with Oklahoma City FC) and $42,974 raised in a Scorpions special event for WINGS (Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing), an organization that assists breast-cancer patients.

“The grand total will surely go higher because net profits from the Scorpions-vs.-Cosmos match and from the STAR (South Texas Area Regional) Soccer Complex, with its 13 first-class fields for league and tournament play, aren’t included,” Hartman noted. “When all is said and done, we believe Soccer for a Cause will have been the spark for approximately $1 million in benefits to the special-needs community and other worthy causes.   And keep in mind, this is just the first year of operation for Toyota Field.  We expect the cumulative total to really grow as years go by.”

In addition to benefitting Morgan’s Wonderland, Soccer for a Cause assists Monarch Academy, a school next door to the theme park that concentrates on equipping students with special needs with the knowledge and skills that will help them become productive adults. The school creates an individualized instructional plan for each student, based on the student’s abilities and needs.

Hartman again credited his 20-year-old daughter, Morgan, for being the catalyst that resulted in Morgan’s Wonderland and so much more.

“Morgan is the young lady responsible for pro soccer in San Antonio,” Hartman said. “Her positive outlook in dealing with physical and cognitive challenges inspired so many in the community that it led to the opening in 2010 of Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first theme park designed with special-needs individuals in mind but built for everyone to enjoy.

“Shortly thereafter came Soccer for a Cause, a grassroots effort to establish pro soccer in San Antonio, and ultimately the creation of the Scorpions franchise and the construction of multi-purpose Toyota Field, which can be expanded from its current 8,000 seats to 18,000. Soccer for a Cause marks the first time a professional sports team has been organized solely to benefit a non-profit cause helping those with special needs.”

Hartman sold his homebuilding business in 2005 to devote – along with wife Maggie – time, vision and energy to philanthropic pursuits. They began with Morgan’s Wonderland so people of all ages with and without disabilities could come together in a safe, totally wheelchair-accessible theme park for fun and understanding.  Now wrapping up its fourth year, Morgan’s Wonderland features more than 25 attractions including rides, playscapes and gardens spread out over 25 acres in what once was a limestone quarry.  The park admits anyone with a cognitive or physical special need free of charge.

On Aug. 28, 2012, global automaker Toyota announced its presenting sponsorship of Toyota Field. In addition to Scorpions soccer, Toyota Field will host concerts, community activities and special events.  It’s located adjacent to Morgan’s Wonderland at the intersection of Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive just west of IH 35 in Northeast San Antonio.

More information about the San Antonio Scorpions FC is available at www.SAScorpions.com, http://www.Facebook.com/SanAntonioScorpions or http://www.Twitter.com/SAScorpions. Additional Morgan’s Wonderland information is located at www.MorgansWonderland.com or by calling (210) 495-5888.  Information about Toyota Field is available at www.ToyotaField.com, and more about Monarch Academy can be found at www.MonarchAcademy.net.

About the NASL
The North American Soccer League℠ is a professional soccer league established in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The NASL member teams are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Minnesota Stars FC, New York Cosmos, Puerto Rico Islanders, San Antonio Scorpions FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.  Indianapolis (Indiana), Ottawa (Ontario) and Loudon County (Virginia) will begin play in 2014.  For more information about the NASL, visit www.NASL.com.  Follow the NASL on Twitter at @NASLOfficial  and Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/NASL.fans.