A message from UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy:
Our hearts are heavy following the tragic incident at the Alamodome prior to Saturday’s UT San Antonio football game against the U.S. Naval Academy.
What was intended to be a day of camaraderie, tradition and celebration has been marked by profound sadness. I want to extend my deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the service member’s family, his fellow airmen, squadron and all those whose lives have been touched by this heartbreaking tragedy. I am very grateful for all the City of San Antonio Fire Department medical staff, our own team medical staff and trainers, Alamodome staff, and all our colleagues that supported efforts on the field and afterwards.
We come together to support our teams, to celebrate shared traditions and to experience the bonds of community. But above all, we come together for one another. In moments of profound sadness, those bonds take on an even deeper meaning. We are reminded that our greatest responsibility is to treat one another with compassion, dignity and the highest degree of respect, and to offer care and support when it is needed most.
The impact of this tragedy extends far beyond those who were present at the Alamodome. It touches families, friends, fellow service members and so many throughout our community. My hope is that all those affected feel the strength of a community that stands beside them, shares in their sorrow and surrounds them with genuine care.
In moments like these, words can offer only so much comfort. But I hope the service member’s family, his fellow airmen and all those grieving know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. We stand together in sadness, united by our compassion for one another and our heartfelt support for all those whose lives have been touched by this tragedy.
As Lisa Campos, our vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics, so thoughtfully expressed:
“Moments like these remind us that we are all part of something much greater than a game. They remind us of the importance of standing together, supporting one another and finding strength in the bonds that unite us, especially in times of profound sadness. Today, our hearts are with this service member’s family, his fellow airmen and everyone impacted by this heartbreaking tragedy. The entire Roadrunner Athletics family joins our university and military communities in offering our deepest compassion, respect and heartfelt support.”
I join Lisa and our entire university community in keeping this service member, his loved ones and all those affected in my thoughts and prayers. May they find strength in one another and comfort in knowing that an entire community stands beside them during this extraordinarily difficult time.