SAN ANTONIO – The Scorpions FC, San Antonio’s new professional soccer team, today launched the search for a head coach to prepare for North American Soccer League (NASL) competition next spring.

Scorpions President Michael (Hitch) Hitchcock said the ideal candidate possesses significant playing and coaching experience at the college and pro level. “We’re looking for a leader and motivator who can field a highly competitive team for NASL play, which is just one step removed from Major League Soccer (MLS),” he said. “Once our new head coach is in place, then we can proceed with filling out the coaching staff and conducting player tryouts this fall.”

Interested candidates for the Scorpions’ head-coaching job can submit resumes to Hitchcock at [email protected] not later than Aug. 1.

The Scorpions will play their inaugural season home games in North East Independent School District’s 11,000-seat Heroes Stadium at Thousand Oaks and Wurzbach Parkway in the former Longhorn Quarry, and a portion of Scorpions profits will benefit nearby Morgan’s Wonderland.

“We’ve come a long way in a relatively short period of time to build a high-quality soccer club,” said Gordon Hartman, founder of Soccer for a Cause, the community-wide effort that’s bringing pro soccer to San Antonio to further boost the sport’s growing popularity and to expand educational programs and services at non-profit Morgan’s Wonderland. Completely wheelchair-accessible, Morgan’s Wonderland is the world’s first ultra-accessible family fun park designed with special-needs individuals of all ages in mind.

“It’s truly exciting that we’ve reached the point when we can recruit top-notch coaches and players. Throughout our pro-soccer journey, we’ve drawn tremendous inspiration from special-needs individuals who face cognitive and physical challenges each and every day.”

Playing 2012 games at Heroes Stadium will provide ample time for construction of a new 5,000-seat playing facility that can be expanded to 10,000 seats, Hartman said. The soon-to-be-constructedScorpions Stadium will be located across from Heroes Stadium on Thousand Oaks and adjacent to Morgan’s Wonderland and the South Texas Area Regional (STAR) Soccer Complex.

“Our agreement with the North East Independent School District will enable us to enter NASL competition on time for the 2012 season less than one short year from now,” Hartman said. “As part of our lease, we will donate a portion of concessions revenue to the district for school programs. We’re truly grateful to North East for their cooperation and support in helping us usher in a professional sport that’s long overdue in San Antonio.”

Fans who don’t want to miss any Scorpions action can still reserve season seats for the 2012 season, Hitchcock said. A $25 deposit will place the fan on a priority list and give him or her the right to select a specific seat location at a “Select Your Seat” event in the near future. Through season seat plans, single-game tickets start at $8 for youth age 16 and younger and $12 for adults. Season seats offer significant savings over game-day pricing, Hitchcock noted. In addition, the Scorpions are offering general admission, reserved seats, VIP club deck and luxury suites.

To reserve their season seat plan, fans can visit www.SanAntonioScorpions.com, call toll-free (855) 333-2012 or stop by STAR Soccer between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Scorpions fans also can follow the building of their team at http://www.Facebook.com/SanAntonioScorpions and http://www.Twitter.com/SAScorpions.

As an added bonus, a pre-game tailgate area will be available adjacent to STAR Soccer where fans can socialize before walking a short distance to Scorpions games at Heroes Stadium.

Hartman reiterated several key goals for the Scorpions including boosting tourism, heightening interest in soccer, promoting physical fitness and generating revenue to offer more programs and services at Morgan’s Wonderland, now in its second season of operation. He has pledged that a portion of profits from the soccer team will be donated to 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. “To our knowledge, this is the first time a pro sports team has been organized so net revenue can benefit those with special needs.

“The positive feedback we’ve received has underscored the need and desire for a safe, colorful, inclusive park like Morgan’s Wonderland. Thus far, we’ve welcomed more than 130,000 guests from 49 states and 20 other countries. We’re out to exceed those numbers this season, and we’re confident we will. That level of activity requires substantial financial support in order to welcome more guests and provide more programs and services to the special-needs community at no charge.” 

About the NASL

The North American Soccer League℠ is the Division II 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. For real-time updates, follow the NASL on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/NASLOfficial or on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/NASL.fans.