The soccer playing field at Houston Baptist University has been named the Randy & Cheryl Sorrels Field in honor of the HBU alumni who made a generous contribution to the HBU soccer program.  The announcement was made by HBU President Robert B. Sloan Jr. and director of athletics Ron Cottrell.

“HBU is honored to announce the naming of our soccer field, the Randy & Cheryl Sorrels Field,” said President Sloan. “As an NCAA Division I university, we find it especially affirming when outstanding alumni, like Randy and Cheryl, choose to give back to their alma mater in such a significant way.  Their generosity and commitment to excellence will provide meaningful assistance to Husky athletics and our student-athletes.”

The Sorrels contributed to the newly formed Husky Athletic Foundation and the gift was earmarked for the soccer program.  The Foundation's purpose is to establish endowed funds for HBU Athletics and to renovate and build athletic facilities.  A significant feature of the Foundation is the inclusion of individual naming opportunities as appropriate donor recognition.

"Randy and Cheryl have been loyal alumni of our university,” said Cottrell.  “We are grateful for their generous gift to upgrade our soccer field and are proud to give their name to the site that hopefully will produce many championship soccer teams.”

Randy Sorrels, a distinguished Houston attorney and 1984 graduate of HBU, was a four-year letterman for the soccer team from 1980-83 and helped lead the Huskies to a Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in 1982.  He met his wife, the former Cheryl Casas, at HBU where she graduated in 1985.
 
“HBU has served as a cornerstone for any success our family has enjoyed,” said Randy.  “For me, I chose to attend HBU to play soccer first, but the education and teachings I received at HBU transcended into all aspects of my life, giving me both the competitive drive and spiritual blessings that have guided me throughout my adult life.”

Cheryl added, “Our experiences at HBU were defining times in our lives, and we feel honored to give back to the university that gave us so much.  We are both proud graduates of Houston Baptist University and hope our gift benefits the current and future students of HBU.”

HBU competed successfully in men's soccer as an NCAA Division I member in the 1980s, winning two TAAC West Championships (1984, 1985) and three TAAC Tournament Championships (1982, 1984, 1985).  After discontinuing the sport in 1990, the Huskies reinstated their men's and women's soccer programs prior to the 2006 season and completed their first year back in the NCAA Division I ranks last season.  The HBU men's team is one of only two (SMU) NCAA Division I soccer programs in the state of Texas.
  
The Huskies are beginning their second year of provisional membership as an NCAA Division I member and the move back to Division I is just part of the university's vision toward a national university that is expanding its size and mission.

 “HBU is in the beginning stages of a significant transformation - positive changes not only in the athletic department, but throughout the entire campus,” said the Sorrels.  “We were encouraged to take a look at the vision of this administration and have become convinced HBU is just starting to tap into its vast potential.  During these very exciting times, we want to encourage others to look at this university's future and get involved in our campus.”