Jaguars softball opening weekend all about hearts of fans
The University of Houston-Victoria’s softball team is planning several special events for opening weekend that all focus on fan’s hearts, literally and figuratively.
“We have several opportunities opening weekend so we can meet and get to know our wonderful fans,” head coach Keri Lambeth said. “We’re also celebrating Heart Disease Awareness Month with several ways our fans can make sure they stay heart healthy.”
Lambeth labeled the slate of events “Softball from the Heart.”
The festivities start with a chance for fans to meet the players and get autographs from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at the newest First Victoria branch, 8811 N. Navarro St. Fans also can enter a drawing for a limited-edition Jaguars T-shirt, ball cap and two season tickets.
On Saturday and Sunday, fans can get into the game for free, but donations will be taken for the American Heart Association.
“Opening weekend is really our gift to the fans for the support they’ve given us these last two seasons,” Lambeth said. “We want this weekend to be a fun event for the entire family.”
On Saturday, the Jaguars will start their season with doubleheader action against San Jacinto College at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the St. Joseph-O’Connor Athletic Complex, 3006 N. Cameron St. Alumni and current students from the UHV School of Nursing will be giving out free coloring books for children and providing blood pressure screenings for adults.
On Sunday, the Jaguars will continue opening weekend at 1 p.m. in doubleheader action against Alvin Community College. The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center will be accepting blood donations at the game from 1 to 5 p.m.
After each game, the players will be available to meet with fans and sign autographs. Young fans are invited to run the bases to see what it feels like to be in the action.
“In softball, there’s a close relationship between the players and the fans in Victoria,” returning catcher Brittany Faas said. “It’s one of the things that makes this sport so special to us. We love meeting our fans, especially the kids.”
The Jaguars are the defending Association of Independent Institutions softball champions and were rated 13th in the nation in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics preseason poll.
For more information, call UHV Athletics at 361-570-4336 or visit www.uhvjaguars.com.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
