Volume 46, #1 - November 2008 - Houston Baptist University

Randy ‘84 & Cheryl ‘85 SorrelsSorrels Soccer Field Honors AlumsThe soccer playing field at HoustonBaptist University has been named theRandy & Cheryl Sorrels Field in honor ofthe HBU alumni who made a generouscontribution to the HBU soccer program.The announcement was made in June byHBU President Robert B. Sloan Jr. andDirector of Athletics Ron Cottrell“HBU is honored to announce thenaming of our soccer field, the Randy &Cheryl Sorrels Field,” said President Sloan.“As an NCAA Division I university, we findit especially affirming when outstandingalumni, like Randy and Cheryl, chooseto give back to their alma mater in sucha significant way. Their generosity andcommitment to excellence will provideupgrade our soccer field and are proud togive their name to the site that hopefullywill produce many championship soccerteams.”Randy Sorrels, a distinguished Houstonattorney and 1984 graduate of HBU, wasa four-year letterman for the soccer teamfrom 1980-83 and helped lead the Huskiesto a Trans America Athletic ConferenceTournament Championship in 1982. Hemet his wife, the former Cheryl Casas, atHBU where she graduated in 1985.“HBU has served as a cornerstone forany success our family has enjoyed,” saidRandy. “For me, I chose to attend HBUto play soccer first, but the education andteachings I received at HBU transcendedTAAC Tournament Championships (1982,1984, 1985). After discontinuing the sportin 1990, the Huskies reinstated their men’sand women’s soccer programs prior tothe 2006 season and completed their firstyear back in the NCAA Division I rankslast season. The HBU men’s team is oneof only two (SMU) NCAA Division I soccerprograms in the state of Texas.The Huskies are in their second yearof provisional membership as an NCAADivision I member and the move back toDivision I is just part of the university’svision toward a national university thatis expanding its size and mission. Thewomen’s soccer team will compete as amember of the Great West ConferenceAlumni Enjoy Soccer Game — Who says you can’t go back? Notthese soccer alumni from the 1970s and 80s!Randy and Cheryl Sorrels with son Garrett andAthletic Director Ron Cottrell and President Sloanunveil the name of HBU’s new soccer fieldFront row—Aman Nasser (1988-90), Jesse Martin (1987-90), William Hawker(1986-89), Maria Nava (1985-88), Chris McMinn (1989-90), Santiago Molina(2007), Saleim Kahleh (79-80), Ricky Gras (79-80).Back row—Carlos Gil (1982-85), Randy Sorrels (1980-83), Clint Connell (2007),Jon Epperson (2006-07), Steve Megow (1990), Henry Barrios (1983-85),Brandon Durdon (2006-07), Curtis Brooks (1988-90).meaningful assistance to Husky athleticsand our student-athletes.”The Sorrels contributed to thenewly formed Husky Athletic Fund andthe gift was earmarked for the soccerprogram. The Fund’s purpose is toestablish endowed scholarships for HBUAthletics and to renovate and buildathletic facilities. A significant featureof the Fund is the inclusion of individualnaming opportunities as appropriate donorrecognition.“Randy and Cheryl have been loyalalumni of our university,” said Cottrell.“We are grateful for their generous gift tointo all aspects of my life, giving me boththe competitive drive and spiritual blessingsthat have guided me throughout my adultlife.”Cheryl added, “Our experiences at HBUwere defining times in our lives, and wefeel honored to give back to the universitythat gave us so much. We are both proudgraduates of Houston Baptist Universityand hope our gift benefits the current andfuture students of HBU.”HBU competed successfully in men’ssoccer as an NCAA Division I memberin the 1980s, winning two TAAC WestChampionships (1984, 1985) and threein 2008 while the men’s team will be amember of the Atlantic Soccer Conference.“HBU is in the beginning stages ofa significant transformation – positivechanges not only in the athletic department,but throughout the entire campus,” said theSorrels. “We were encouraged to take a lookat the vision of this administration and havebecome convinced HBU is just starting totap into its vast potential. During these veryexciting times, we want to encourage othersto look at this university’s future and getinvolved in our campus.”HBU 40 News