Houston's new soccer team to change their name

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

(2/14/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- They're less than two months from taking the field, but the team known as Houston 1836 may soon change its name. The 1836 is the team which used to be the San Jose Earthquakes, but the new name is causing a little controversy here in Houston.

What's in a name? Apparently a lot since Major League Soccer announced that the San Jose Earthquakes were coming to Houston and would be called Houston 1836.

"People have been very sincere. Some say I don't like the name or feel offended because of the name," explained team president Oliver Luck. "They appreciate the fact that we use the name to symbolize the founding of the city, but certain things mean different things to folks."

To some, 1836 might mean Texas independence. To others, it was the defeat of the Mexican army at San Jacinto and thus loss of some Mexican territory. Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia says 1836 might be sensitive to members of the Hispanic community and more.

She said, "Also some concerns that people might have with marketing, our position, our image as an international trading partner as a gateway to the Americas, being a good neighbor."

Spanish-speaking sports writers met with Luck, indicating that they are reconsidering other names.

He said, "We listened, continue to listen to anybody who has an opinion, respect the value of the opinion of an elected official."

In fact, it was Commissioner Garcia's office that got the ball rolling after Hispanic leaders complained about the name.

"We had a direct conversation with the owner. He made a commitment to strongly reconsider a name change very soon," Garcia said. "It was close to (a sure thing) enough for me to feel confident that the name is going to be changed."

Commissioner Garcia's office told Eyewitness News that she had spoken to the owner of the soccer team in California and that the name will be changed. The names being considered are the Lonestars, the Generals, the Apollos, the Mustangs and the Toros.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

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