Yesterday afternoon, I was at the Alamodome for the first UTSA home football game this season against the Texas A&M Commerce Lions. Man, I was so happy to be in the 70 degree building cause on Thursday I was outside in the heat and Friday all we had was fans to cool us down in the press-box.
This was only the 3rd college game I have been to and they have all been at the Dome. The first was the Sylvania Alamo Bowl in 2001 between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the the Texas Tech Red Raiders (Kliff Kingsbury was the quarterback; he played at New Braunfels High school). I was the stat man for ESPN Radio! I attended another Alamo Bowl a few years later as a spectator!
For college game number 3, I wasn’t at the game as a spectator. I am the statistician for the Spanish language radio broadcast for Radio Formula. No, I don’t know Spanish, but I figured they can translate the numbers I provide them fairly quickly. Jorge, David, Filio (I hope I spelled his name correctly), Alex, Andres, and Guillermo were very nice and made me feel very comfortable, even though I had no clue what they were saying!!! Jorge Rodriguez and David Miguel were the broadcasters. I don’t really know much about Jorge, but I did learn that David does High School football games in Laredo. He did the Smithson Valley Rangers and Laredo United game on Friday night and the Rangers crushed em 38 to 14.
I have been working High School football games as a stat man for 16 years. So, I had to put a note on my start board that college quarters are 15 minutes; not 12 minutes. I also was ready for the pace as I knew it would be quicker.
I am a graduate of UTSA and football was a myth back then. Now, it is a reality and the energy and atmosphere yesterday was amazing. It was also really loud at the Dome. Several times throughout the game, I got goose bumps. Wow!!!
The coolest part of my job was being able to see several players who played High School football play for UTSA and also there opponent. Please take a look the UTSA roster as I know I am not going to be able to mention every player.
The running back for UTSA was David Glasco…graduated from Wagner High school. He was the starter yesterday and had 13 carries for 56 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Another running back for UTSA was Brandon Armstrong…graduated from Roosevelt High school. Brandon had 3 carries for 15 yards.
Earon Holmes was the wide receiver…graduated from Brackenridge High school. Holmes had 2 catches for 29 yards.
As I was writing down the starters for Texas A&M Commerce, a familiar name of Jamar Mosely was the starting running back. He went to Southwest High school. He had 7 carries for 15 yards.
I am really looking forward to the next UTSA home game which is Saturday, September 22nd at 1:00pm.
