Head Coach Tim Hankinson introduced Saavedra during a Scorpions evening rally at Museo Alameda in downtown San Antonio and also announced the formation of the Scorpions Reserves, to be made up of future pro prospects.
On Sunday, March 4, 25 players selected from recent San Antonio tryouts will play a full match in hopes of earning a spot on the Scorpions Reserves roster. Those select players age 19 and older will train under the leadership and coaching of Saavedra.
Saavedra, 38, a midfielder who’s fashioned a reputation as a tough defender, grew up in Periban, Mexico. He began his pro career in 1996 with Toros Neza before joining Tigres UANL two years later and competing in 297 games. He’s also played for Morelia, Jaguares, Indios, Necaxa and the Mexican national team, earning nine caps.
“The Scorpions Reserves will represent the Scorpions and Soccer for A Cause by playing exhibition matches throughout South Texas,” Hankinson explained. “They also will provide match play against the Scorpions regulars to keep all our players 90-minute ready.”
In addition to the Saavedra and Scorpions Reserves announcements, the team named three new sponsors – Bud Light, the team’s official domestic beer as well as sponsor of the Bud Light Beer Garden; Gold’s Gym, the Scorpions’ official gym; and Univision San Antonio, the Scorpions’ U. S. Spanish TV partner.
“Univision is proud to partner with the San Antonio Scorpions and Soccer for a Cause,” said Luis Patiño, senior vice present of the Univision Television Group. “We salute Gordon Hartman on this new venture and welcome his enthusiasm for bringing professional soccer to San Antonio. As many people know, Univision Deportes is the undisputed leader in reaching and engaging the Hispanic Soccer fan. We look forward to now becoming the exclusive Spanish-language media partner of San Antonio’s newest sports franchise.”
Scorpions President Michael Hitchcock said the Scorpions “are gaining tremendous momentum as we prepare for our first contest against the Atlanta Silverbacks on April 7 and our home opener against the Puerto Rico Islanders on Sunday, April 15. Our evening rally is another excellent example of community support and cooperation. We’re grateful to Museo Alameda for hosting our event and to Tequila Baluarte and Milagro Tequila for presenting a tequila-tasting.”
Hitchcock added that 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 but built for everyone to enjoy. The Scorpions FC is the first team in pro sports history organized solely for the benefit of a non-profit cause, he noted. All Scorpions profits will go to Morgan’s Wonderland to enable the park to continue offering free admission to anyone with a special need as well as to expand programs and services for the special-needs community.
San Antonio philanthropist Gordon Hartman led the effort to create Morgan’s Wonderland in Northeast San Antonio so people of all ages with and without disabilities could come together in a safe, colorful, totally-wheelchair-accessible park for fun and understanding. Soon to begin its third year of operation, Morgan’s Wonderland features more than 25 rides, playscapes and attractions spread out over 25 acres in what once was a limestone quarry.
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. 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 theme park.
Sensing an opportunity to benefit Morgan’s Wonderland for the long run, Hartman in fall 2010 secured an NASL franchise – one rung below Major League Soccer – 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 also is moving forward with plans for a privately funded, 6,100-seat playing facility (that can be expanded to 18,000 seats) on land near STAR Soccer and ready for the 2013 season. In the interim, the Scorpions will play 2012 NASL home games in North East Independent School District’s 11,000-seat Heroes Stadium across Thousand Oaks Drive from Morgan’s Wonderland.
Hartman reiterated 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. “Thus far, we’ve welcomed more than 200,000 guests from all 50 states and more than 30 other countries. This level of activity requires substantial financial support in order to attract more guests and provide more services and programs to the special-needs community at no charge.
“Each and every day we continue to 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, Puerto Rico Islanders and the San Antonio Scorpions FC. For more information about the NASL, visit www.NASL.com or on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/NASL.fans.
