Eight Crocketters and hundreds of Crocketteer sympathizers came down to the hallowed grounds of the Alamo yesterday to pay their respects for the men and women who, as the cenotaph in front of the Alamo puts it, “sacrificed their lives in the defense of Texas” The events started with a cannon shot to symbolize Colonel’s Travis response to Santa Anna’s charge to surrender. From there we stood in front of the plaque and the famous “line in the sand” where Travis asked the defenders to stay and fight. We watched as the re-enactment soldiers marched in front of the Alamo with the bagpipes a blaring, the flags a waving and their guns held high. We stood and posed for pictures with many of the soldiers with our Crocketteer banner so proudly displayed. “Davey Crockett” joined us on one picture as did a direct descendant of the real Crockett for another. We ended the day with the Crocketteers standing and taking a group photo in front of the Alamo Cenotaph. Towering 60 feet high, the Cenotaph marks the spot where the slain defenders of the fortified mission were piled after the battle. Seen on the sides of the Cenotaph are carvings of the Alamo defenders, including depictions of William B. Travis, Jim Bowie, David Crockett and James B. Bonham. The monument also bears the names of men who died at the Alamo.

In addition, the following inscription can be found on the revered memorial:

Erected in Memory of the Heroes who sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836 in the defense of Texas, “They chose never to surrender nor retreat, these brave hearts with flag still proudly waving perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding on this Texas.”

Today was a good day to be a Crocketteer! Remember the Alamo.

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Soccer is a sport that, more than any other, is about atmosphere. It is about anticipation and eventual euphoria.

For San Antonio, soccer all of the sudden seems closer than ever to being a professional reality. And lovers of “The Beautiful Game” in South Texas can only hope that this hopeful atmosphere, this raised level of anticipation, leads to eventual euphoria in the form of a top-flight pro soccer team calling San Antonio home.

A recent article in the San Antonio Express News revealed that San Antonio Independent School District and Spurs Sports & Entertainment have in fact had discussions about venerable Alamo Stadium being placed in the managing hands of SS&E.

Alamo Stadium is a legendary local sports shrine that has fallen into various levels of disrepair as the cash-strapped inner-city SAISD struggles to maintain the facility. In it’s 70 years of existence, Alamo Stadium has hosted high school sports of all kinds in addition to college and professional football.

The beauty of the talks between SAISD and SS&E is that the Spurs organization (which has been itching to get into professional soccer) would not have to build a stadium for any proposed team, but simply would renovate an existing jewel that happens to be just the right size and in just the right place.

Some of the most revered (and well-attended) stadiums in Major League Soccer share a common trait: an urban location.

Seattle’s Qwest Field and Toronto’s BMO Stadium are the two oft-cited urban jewels of the league, each drawing capacity crowds and each famous for an incredible gameday atmosphere. Each also happens to be in the shadow of the their respective city skylines. Alamo Stadium, for those keeping track at home, is a mere 4 miles from the front door of the Alamo.

Unlike stadiums in far-flung exurbs (like Pizza Hut Park in Frisco or Gillette Stadium in Foxborough), Alamo Stadium would be accessible by people from all over San Antonio by a simple 20 minute drive. Supporters from Stone Oak and Southtown would have easy access, as would families from the suburbs and young urbanites in the city. And for that growing number of folks living in the urban core, Alamo Stadium is accessible by public transport, with a VIA ride from Alamo Plaza taking a mere 15 minutes. With plans to add a streetcar line on Broadway in the near future, the booming residential area that is about to be River North will be connected to a refurbished, resplendent Alamo Stadium in a myriad of ways.

So the anticipation rises as the atmosphere around the potential for soccer in San Antonio heats up. SS&E is interested enough in bringing high-level soccer to San Antonio that they have entered into talks regarding management and renovation. SAISD is interested enough in staying solvent that they will bend over backwards to allow someone with resources to take over their historic facility. And San Antonio’s starving soccer fans are one step closer to realizing the euphoric dream of having professional soccer in the city. In Alamo Stadium, the beautiful game is as close as it has ever been to finding itself in the shadow of the San Antonio skyline.

Tags: alamo stadium, mls, saisd, Soccer, Spurs, Stadium

Will you stand with me?

On March 5, 1836, standing inside the Alamo, Colonel William B. Travis drew a line in the sand asking all his men if they were willing to die for the cause. Each and every man but one chose to stand and fight. While the facts surrounding the siege of the Alamo continue to be analyzed and debated, there is no doubt about what the battle came to symbolize – a heroic struggle against overwhelming odds — a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For this reason the Alamo remains hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty. The words “Remember the Alamo” are still spoken today.Today, 174 years to the date, we as soccer fans in San Antonio face a different challenge; a challenge to bring and support a professional soccer team which is only as strong as the group that supports them. Therefore, as members of the Crocketteers I ask you to take the next step; join me as a member of the Travis 250.

This exclusive group will be the charter members of the Crocketteers who will represent the nearly 250 people who died during the “thirteen days of glory” back in 1836. As a member of the Travis 250 you will forever be a part of the original Crocketteers. No additional members will be added beyond the first 250.

For only $25 you can become a part of the Travis 250 and will receive a Crocketteers scarf, a membership card denoting you as a member of the Travis 250, along with other privileges in the future such as advanced ticket pre-sales, “meet and greets” with team players and staff, discounts on merchandise, etc. (contingent on team commitments and obligations to be determined upon securing of a franchise).

But most importantly you will be one of the original 250 who paved the way for professional soccer to come to San Antonio. The Alamo defenders remind us why people fight for a cause.

It’s time for San Antonio soccer fans to take up this cause to bring and support a pro soccer team. The line in the sand has been drawn. Will you stand with me?

REMEMBER THE ALAMO…. VICTORY OR DEATH.

Quantity of Memberships

1 Membership $25.00 2 Memberships $50.00 3 Memberships $75.00 4 Memberships $100.00

Membership in the TRAVIS 250 is $25. Limited to the first 250 members. Renewals are $10/year. Renewals will begin upon the official announcement of a professional soccer team being allocated to the San Antonio metro area. Travis 250 members not wishing to renew at the $10 rate retain their status in the TRAVIS 250 as inactive members minus membership privileges. Limit 1 Travis 250 Membership per individual. If you purchase more than 1 membership, please provide names of each distinct individual.

Tags: Membership