Thomas More notebook: An old friend becomes a new rival when Saints visit St. Thomas (Fla.)

By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter

Former Thomas More University president David Armstrong will be rooting against his old school when the Saints football team squares off against St. Thomas (Fla.) in September.

That’s because Armstrong — arguably Thomas More’s biggest sports fan during his stay in Crestview Hills — is now the president of St. Thomas.

Thomas More travels to Florida on Sept. 7 to meet St. Thomas in the Bobcats’ first-ever college football game. St. Thomas, which will compete in the NAIA and the Mid-South Conference, is located in Miami Gardens.

Armstrong, who departed Thomas More last year to take the president’s position at St. Thomas, spearheaded the launch of the Florida school’s football and marching band programs. Prior to that, he spent five years as the president of Thomas More and was an enthusiastic supporter of the athletics program in Crestview Hills.

“I talked to David and told him it’s just wrong to know he will be rooting against us,” Thomas More athletic director Terry Connor said with a chuckle. “He asked me if I’m coming down there for the big day, and I told him absolutely. He started the football program, and I’m sure there will be a great show that day when we play them.”

Connor said since St. Thomas is part of the Sun Division of the Mid-South Conference, it gave both schools a chance to meet in a crossover game. Thomas More is entering it first season of competition in the NAIA and is also a member of the Mid-South Conference.

The Saints posted a 7-3 record a year ago playing as an NCAA Division III independent.

NAIA DEBUT AT HOME — UNDER THE LIGHTS: Thomas More opens the football season Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. with a home game against fellow Mid-South Conference member Kentucky Christian. Thomas More competes in the Bluegrass Division of the Mid-South, while Kentucky Christian is now in the Appalachian Division.

In addition, the Aug. 31 game will mark the first-ever night home game in Thomas More football history. Connor said lights have been installed at BB&T Field for the upcoming season.

“We’re hoping to have a packed house for that first night game in Thomas More history,” Connor said. “It’s the only night game for football this season. Soccer will also be playing under the lights this season, so we’re going to have plenty of night events at home.”

Kentucky Christian finished 2-9 last season, including 1-5 in Mid-South Conference play. A year ago, Knights were in the Bluegrass Division. Thomas More also faces Kentucky schools such as Georgetown, Lindsey Wilson, Campbellsville, the Cumberlands and Pikeville this season.

VOLLEYBALL OPENER: The Thomas More volleyball team, which posted a 33-4 record last season and advanced to the regional finals of the NCAA Division III Tournament, opens its 2019 campaign at the Mid-South Conference Challenge Aug. 23-24 at Bowling Green, Ky.

Thomas More meets Bethel (Ky.) and Florida College on Aug. 23, followed by matches against Montreat (N.C.) and Union (Ky.) on Aug. 24.

The Saints play their home opener on Sept. 3, when perennial Mid-South Conference powerhouse Georgetown visits the Connor Convocation Center for a 7 p.m. showdown.

Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com and follow him on Twitter at @dontribunesport