Scorpions Unveil Stadium Plans, Name New Players and Sponsors
SAN ANTONIO – The start of construction this spring on a 6,100-seat, state-of-the-art stadium constitutes another major stride forward as the San Antonio Scorpions FC, San Antonio’s new professional soccer team, prepares for entry into the North American Soccer League (NASL).
“Scorpions Community Stadium will be a premier sports and special-events venue when it opens for the 2013 season,” said Gordon Hartman, founder of Soccer for a Cause, the community-wide effort to grow soccer in Greater San Antonio as well as benefit non-profit Morgan’s Wonderland family theme park. “In the meantime, we’re making tremendous progress on all fronts as we get set for the Scorpions’ first NASL home game just a dozen short weeks away on April 15.”
Hartman, who unveiled multiple architectural renderings, said the new stadium paralleling Thousand Oaks Drive across from Morgan’s Wonderland in Northeast San Antonio will be constructed with private funding and will be expandable to 18,000 seats. Stadium features include a grass playing field built to FIFA and NCAA specifications, luxury suites, a VIP lounge, a team merchandise store, a patio/beer garden, a large video scoreboard and shaded seating on the west side of the stadium.
While the team’s new home is being built, the Scorpions will play 2012 NASL home games in North East Independent School District’s 11,000-seat Heroes Stadium at Wurzbach Parkway and Thousand Oaks Drive.
Head Coach Tim Hankinson introduced five additions to the Scorpions roster – Patrick Hannigan, goalkeeper; Daryl Sattler goalkeeper, Hans Denissen, forward; Luiz Tiago, midfielder/winger; and Euan Purcell, forward. They join previous signees Kevin Harmse, Greg Janicki, Walter Ramirez, Karsten Smith, Dominic Papa and Jeff Jennings.
“The international makeup of our team definitely underscores the fact that soccer is the world’s favorite sport,” Hankinson said. “Through tryouts and connections within the soccer community, we’ve identified some terrific talent, some with Major League Soccer (MLS) experience. Our team-building will continue with more player signings prior to the start of training camp next month.”
Hannigan, 30, grew up in Philadelphia and played college soccer at Temple University where he was a two-time Atlantic 10 defensive player of the year. He played professionally with the Bray Wanderers of the League of Ireland before returning to the U. S. and joining Miami FC as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper throughout 2007.
A native of Nashville, Tenn., 32-year-old Sattler starred at Western Kentucky University and still holds the school goalkeeping record for career shutouts. He turned professional in 2003 with the Nashville Metros and also competed for the Memphis Express, Wilmington Hammerheads and FC Tampa Bay.
Denissen, 28, of Tilburg, The Netherlands, has played as a striker for teams in his home country and Finland including Willem II, RBC Roosendaal, MVV, Ayia Napa, Haka and Emmen.
Tiago, 24, has substantial experience in the Brazilian Serie A league with Coritiba, Atletico-PR, Ondrina and Cascavel CR.
Purcell, born in Bolton, England, played for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks, a Division 2 championship team coached by Hankinson. The forward recorded 6 game-winning goals and earned All-RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) 1st Team honors.
Michael Hitchcock, Scorpions president, welcomed 11 new Scorpions sponsors – Frost Bank, the San Antonio Express-News, Aztec Rentals, Dixie Flag, Hindsight 20/20, CiCi’s Pizza, Paint Drop, MyV Medical, Cactus Pottery, The Lynd Company and Alamo Totsports. They join previously announced sponsors Nike Inc., Lion & Rose Pubs, Oakwell Village Dental Group, San Antonio Orthopaedic Group, Hyatt Riverwalk Hotel, the Harvey Najim Family Foundation, The Soccer Factory, A-Plus Flooring, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, M-Spa, Microtel, Marque Modeling and Michoa Cana Ice Cream.
Hitchcock also acknowledged three youth soccer partners – SAYSAT, New Braunfels FC and Dallas Texans SA-West – and encouraged other clubs to take advantage of clinics and special events involving Scorpions players.
“We’re truly appreciative and thrilled with the entire community’s interest in the Scorpions,” Hitchcock said. “To the best of our knowledge, this marks the first time in history that a professional sports team has been organized solely for the benefit of a non-profit cause. The Scorpions will compete for a community that’s eager to see soccer played at a high level and for Morgan’s Wonderland, a unique theme park designed with special-needs individuals of all ages in mind and built so everyone can have fun together.”
San Antonio philanthropist Hartman led the effort to create Morgan’s Wonderland so people of all ages with and without disabilities could come together in a safe, colorful, totally-wheelchair-accessible park for fun and understanding. The 25-acre park, which features more than 25 rides, playscapes and attractions, just completed its second season. In the past two years, Morgan’s Wonderland has attracted more than 200,000 guests from all 50 states and more than 30 other countries. More information is available at www.MorgansWonderland.com.
Because anyone with a physical or cognitive special need is admitted free to Morgan’s Wonderland, Hartman sought other revenue streams to help the park meet its financial obligations as well as to expand programs and services at the park for the special-needs community. Morgan’s Wonderland opened in spring 2010 along with STAR Soccer, which conveys profits from the operation of 13 first-class playing fields to the park. Similarly, Scorpions profits will go directly to Morgan’s Wonderland.
Sensing an opportunity to benefit Morgan’s Wonderland for the long run, Hartman in fall 2010 secured an NASL franchise – one rung below MLS – and immediately launched Soccer for a Cause, a campaign to build community support for the new team. This included a name-the-team contest, a logo-design competition and an online vote of fans to select the Scorpions’ jersey. Meanwhile, Nike became the first to sign up as a team sponsor.
Hartman reiterated several key goals for the Scorpions including heightening interest in soccer, promoting physical fitness and boosting tourism, in addition to the primary goal of generating profits for Morgan’s Wonderland.
“Morgan’s Wonderland continues to exceed expectations, profoundly touching the lives of special-needs children and adults, their families and friends,” Hartman said. “Each and every day we draw inspiration from all those with special needs who must deal with hard-to-imagine physical and cognitive challenges.”
More information about the San Antonio Scorpions FC is available at www.SanAntonioScorpions.com, http://www.Facebook.com/SanAntonioScorpions or http://www.Twitter.com/SAScorpions. Additional Morgan’s Wonderland information can be found at www.MorgansWonderland.com or by calling (210) 495-5888.
About the NASL
The North American Soccer League℠ is the Division 2 men’s outdoor professional soccer league in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The NASL member teams are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, FC Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, NSC Minnesota Stars, Montreal Impact (joining MLS in 2012), Puerto Rico Islanders and the San Antonio Scorpions FC (beginning play in 2012). For more information about the NASL, visit www.NASL.com or on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/NASL.fans.
