Tag Archives: Soccer

San Antonio Scorpions are a force to be reckoned with

By North SA Chamber Editor
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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

By North SA Chamber Editor
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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.

Gordon Hartman’s ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to San Antonio raises $37,944

By North SA Chamber Editor
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scorpions logoScorpions owner Gordon Hartman accepted an ALS Ice Bucket Challenge issued by Julia Dyer from the ALS Association’s Texas Chapter. Thursday, August 14,  Mr. Hartman and the San Antonio Scorpions players stepped up to the spot and poured buckets of ice cold water all over themselves, but instead of continuing the usual pattern of these viral pictures and videos, Mr. Hartman decided to do something different.

ALS iceRather than directing any particular person or group to pour ice water on themselves in the name of ALS awareness, Mr. Hartman asked Scorpions fans and San Antonio residents to donate directly to the ALS Association’s Texas Chapter. He then promised that the Gordon Hartman Family Foundation would match all donations up to a total of $25,000 made until the following day at 5pm – and San Antonio responded with $18,972 in donations in just 24 hours.

“I’m pleased – but not surprised – that Scorpions fans and all of San Antonio came through in response to my ALS donation challenge,” said Hartman. “Thanks to their generosity, almost $38,000 will be donated to the ALS Association’s Texas Chapter. Helping those with special challenges is the mission of Soccer For A Cause, so we’re glad we were able to participate in a way that both raises awareness and gives real dollars for research.”

Donations can still be made by calling 210-733-5204. In the words of Gordon Hartman, “Together, we are making a difference.”

The Scorpions play their next match this Saturday, August 23, at 7:30pm at Toyota Field against the Atlanta Silverbacks.  For information on Scorpions tickets call 210-495-8686 or visit sascorpions.com.

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

By North SA Chamber Editor
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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.

April 13 Tampa Bay Rowdies Matchup To Open San Antonio Scorpions FC’s New Home – Toyota Field

By North SA Chamber Editor
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scorpions logo toyota fieldThe San Antonio Scorpions FC, 2012 North American Soccer League (NASL) regular-season champs, will unveil the team’s new home – Toyota Field – Saturday, April 13, in a battle with last season’s eventual league champions, the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“What a great way to open our beautiful, new stadium!” said Gordon Hartman, CEO of The Gordon Hartman Foundation who led the Soccer for a Cause effort to bring pro soccer to San Antonio.  “We’re truly grateful to our global partner, Toyota, for securing naming rights to this colorful, multi-purpose facility.   The match with the Rowdies will be the first of a long list of sports, community, music and special events at our 8,000-seat venue adjacent to Morgan’s Wonderland at Thousand Oaks and Wurzbach Parkway.”

According to the NASL’s recently released Spring Schedule, the Scorpions will get their first taste of 2013 action on the road against the Minnesota Stars FC.  The complete Spring Schedule is as follows:

Saturday, April 6 – at Minnesota Stars FC

Saturday, April 13 – Tampa Bay Rowdies

Sunday, April 28 – at Edmonton FC

Saturday, May 4 – Atlanta Silverbacks

Saturday, May 11 – at Carolina Rail-Hawks

Saturday, May 18 – Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Saturday, May 25 – at Atlanta Silverbacks

Saturday, June 1 – Minnesota Stars FC

Saturday, June 15 – at Tampa Bay Rowdies

Saturday, June 22 – FC Edmonton

Saturday, June 29 – at Fort Lauderdale Strikers

Thursday, July 4 – Carolina Rail-Hawks.

The seven NASL teams active for the 2013 Spring Season will play each other once at home and once on the road in a 42-game season between April 6 and July 4, the NASL said.  The team that tops the standings at the summer break will qualify for the 2013 Soccer Bowl as the host team.  The Soccer Bowl will be held the weekend of Nov. 16-17, and the spring champion will be joined by the Fall Season champion.  The New York Cosmos are poised to return to NASL action when the Fall Season kicks off Aug. 3.

The one-month summer break will allow NASL teams to schedule exhibition games, the league added.  It occurs during the international transfer window that is open throughout much of Europe, Latin America and North America.

Preparations for the Scorpions’ 2013 season will continue with player signings in the next few weeks prior to the start of training camp March 1, said Scorpions Head Coach Tim Hankinson.

“The Scorpions franchise is unique in that all net profits go to help expand programs and services for the special-needs community through non-profit Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first and only ultra-accessible theme park,” said Scorpions President Howard Cornfield.

Sensing an opportunity to benefit Morgan’s Wonderland for the long run, San Antonio philanthropist Gordon Hartman three years ago secured an NASL franchise – one rung below Major League Soccer – and launched Soccer for a Cause, a successful campaign to build community support for pro soccer.  The Scorpions played their first NASL match April 15, 2012.

San Antonio Scorpions season tickets are now on sale.  More information about the Scorpions FC is available at www.SanAntonioScorpions.com, http://www.Facebook.com/SanAntonioScorpions or http://www.Twitter.com/SAScorpions.  Morgan’s Wonderland information can be found at www.MorgansWonderland.com or by calling (210) 495-5888.

About the NSL
The North American Soccer League℠ is the Division 2 men’s outdoor professional soccer league in the United States and Canada.  The NASL member teams are:  Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, FC Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, NSC Minnesota Stars and San Antonio Scorpions FC.  For more information about the NASL, visit www.NASL.com or on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/NASL.fans.