|
|
|
Archbishop José Gomez offers a blessing at the Sept. 1 dedication of the Tom and Gayle Benson Field House and Stadium at the University of the Incarnate Word.
Jordan McMorrough | Today's Catholic |
SAN ANTONIO • The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) hosted a “Countdown to Kickoff Blessing and Barbecue” on Labor Day, Sept. 1, at the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium on the university campus.
The event featured the blessing of the new Gayle and Tom Benson Field House and Stadium by Archbishop José H. Gomez and comments from Tom Benson, who told the crowd he planned to be at many UIW football games, and Dr. Louis J. Agnese, Jr., president of UIW.
Following the program and a barbecue meal, the first public practice of the Cardinal football team took place, and a meet and greet with UIW athletes was held at Fan Fest.
UIW announced the coming of Cardinal football in spring 2007 with head coach Mike Santiago coming on board that June. Coach Santiago, whose 30-year coaching career includes stints both coaching and scouting, immediately hired two assistant coaches and began recruiting his first class of 27 freshmen. Those players are currently enrolled for UIW’s fall semester and will go through their redshirt year before the official kick-off of Cardinal football next fall against Monterrey Tech University.
“The goal of everyone involved in the UIW football program is first and foremost to make sure that we as a collective team represent the entire university community in the most positive light. It is not hard to see the excitement that is already being generated throughout the campus. The coaching staff and players cannot wait to get on the field so we can start preparations for the 2009 season. It’s definitely a great day to be a Cardinal,” said head football coach Mike Santiago.
Formal groundbreaking for the Gayle and Tom Benson Field House and Stadium took place Jan. 17.
Included in the Benson stadium is a 16,000 square foot field house and spectator seating for up to 3,000. The field house is fully equipped with locker rooms, athletic training spaces, weight training areas, as well as office space and conference rooms.
The team already has its first high profile recruit with the enrollment at UIW of Jerrell Wilkerson, who played his high school football between 2001 and 2004 at Clark High School and set city career marks with 7,249 rushing yards and 100 touchdowns. He also set a city mark with 47 scores in 2004.
Wilkerson is ending a three-year absence from the game after spending one fall in Austin at the University of Texas before returning home to San Antonio.