News

Crocketteers Bring Atmosphere and Soccer Support to San Antonio
Posted on Tue, Mar 19, 2013

Each Tuesday, Nasl.com will be doing a feature on one of the many supporters groups in the NASL.

Today the NASL features the Crocketteers, the largest supporters group of the San Antonio Scorpions.

They call themselves San Antonio's Premier Soccer Supporters Group, and with over 1,100 members they may not only be the largest supporters group in San Antonio, but the entire state of Texas as well. They are the Crocketteers, loyal supporters of the San Antonio Scorpions.

“The Crocketteers have built their brand to honor the heroes of the Battle of the Alamo,” said Crocketteers President James Hope. “[Our] motto is simply ‘Victory or Death’ as written by William B. Travis during their 13 days of glory defending San Antonio’s most important landmark, the Alamo. The name comes from the icon frontiersman Davy Crockett.”

Founded in 2009 by Michael Macias, the Crocketteers support all levels of soccer in San Antonio. Prior to the creation of the Scorpions, the group would host watch parties for USMNT games, once drawing over 800 fans to an event billed as “the largest in town.”

On a gameday it all starts with a tailgate, open to all Scorpions fans. Following the tailgate, the group marches into the stadium, led by capos and drum corps.

“The sounds of the drums and the chants from the fans bring almost a European atmosphere to the event,” said Hope. “Many other Scorpions fans join in the march while others stand along the side cheering us on. It is a sight to see.”

“With over 30 chants and several chants made on the fly you can hear our voices from whistle to whistle,” said Hope. “The players claim it what gives them that added push during our home games.”

The Crocketteers don’t just support soccer from the stands—they play as well—boasting the largest adult soccer club in the city. According to Hope, “Our premier team has won the premier division the last three seasons and several of those players played for the Scorpions reserve team. We have recently added youth teams playing at the U15, U10 and U6 level, all coached by members of the Crocketteers.”

Giving back to the community is a big part of being a Crocketteer. Their community efforts have raised thousands of dollars for Morgan’s Wonderland, Haven for Hope, Nothing but Nets, and Passing Hope. In November of 2012 the Crocketteers became a nonprofit with the state of Texas and began the process of forming a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization with the IRS.

As the Scorpions move from temporary Heroes Stadium to the state-of-the-art Toyota Field, the Crocketteers will have their own section behind the goal: The Garrison. “Last year we averaged about 300 fans standing with us,” said Hope. “This season, we only have 230 seats in our section and we are closing in on selling out that section just through season tickets.”

“Our goal is to have the entire north end of the stadium full of diehard supporters as seen with the more prominent MLS Support Groups. Given our success and the success of the Scorpions, That might happen sooner than later.”

The Scorpions boast three other supporters groups: Alamo City Ultras, Bexar County Casuals, and The Dragoons. The NASL will be featuring them in the coming weeks.

 

Previously covered on Nasl.com:

Atlanta Ultras (Atlanta Silverbacks): http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3767

Triangle Soccer Fanatics (Carolina RailHawks): http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=4143

Flight 19and The Ultras (Fort Lauderdale Strikers): http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3722

Ralph’s Mob (Tampa Bay Rowdies): http://nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=3740

More Headlines
Marc Dos Santos Named Inaugural Coach Of Ottawa Fury FC
Watch NASL Weekly Rewind- Spring Season Week 7
Minnesota Midfielder Reed Wins Play of Week 7
NASL Clubs Plot Repeat And Revenge In U.S. Open Cup
NASL Team of Week 7
NASL Quartet Win And Target MLS Scalps In U.S. Open Cup
U.S. Open Cup: VSI Tampa Bay 1 Tampa Bay Rowdies 2
U.S. Open Cup: Atlanta Silverbacks 3 Georgia Revolution 2
U.S. Open Cup: Scorpions Bow Out On Penalties
U.S. Open Cup: Minnesota United 0 Des Moines Menace 1
Upcoming Games
vs
May 25, 7:30pm EDT
Buy Tickets
vs
May 25, 7:30pm EDT
Buy Tickets
vs
May 26, 4:00pm EDT
Buy Tickets
vs
Jun 1, 7:30pm EDT
Buy Tickets
Standings
TEAM GP W T L GD PTS
Carolina RailHawks 6 3 2 1 4 11
Tampa Bay Rowdies 6 3 2 1 3 11
Atlanta Silverbacks 6 3 1 2 1 10
Minnesota United FC 6 2 2 2 1 8
FC Edmonton 6 2 2 2 1 8
San Antonio Scorpions 6 1 2 3 -4 5
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 6 1 1 4 -6 4
*Tiebreakers: 1. Goal Differential - 2. Total Goals - 3. Head-to-Head record