Last week I attended the opening of UTSA’s Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence (R.A.C.E.) and was blown away by the absolutely incredible facility that has been created for athletic training, academic support and leadership development of student-athletes. It is well known that athletics is the window through which the world first sees your university. Over the past 30 years, I have watched our small commuter campus blossom into a nationally-recognized center for higher education.
As a city, we are at a pivotal time in the world of college athletics. The landscape is changing. As a major metropolitan market with a Division I FBS football team at a university that continues to grow and excel academically, we can provide some fuel to secure a seat at the table. UTSA’s leadership, Dr. Taylor Eighmy (President) and Dr. Lisa Campos (Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics), have added quality coaching staffs, and with the addition of the new athletic facilities, are poised to move to the next level of excellence. Over the past months, I have been able to spend some time with Head Football Coach Jeff Traylor and have seen the type of leader, mentor and community citizen he is by his actions. This man cares about his players, the university, and our city.
I have had the privilege in my life to be around a few coaches who understand how to build a culture that leads to organizational success. Thirty-eight years ago, I married Hall of Fame Coach Grant Teaff’s oldest daughter, Tammy (outkicked my coverage). I have had the unique opportunity to experience the qualities that make him a respected and beloved coach, a caring and compassionate man, and a winner on and off the field. I see so many of these traits in Coach Traylor and believe he is the right leader to help UTSA and San Antonio shine. It is the right time for all of us to get excited and show our support for all UTSA student-athletes, and a chance for San Antonio to be relevant as the future of college football is determined.
