The Lead Live Podcast! March 26, 2026

Schreiner University continues to develop both its athletic programs and arts initiatives, with significant growth in sports under Athletic Director Bill Raleigh’s leadership and an upcoming metal arts workshop featuring visiting artist Alex Johnson.

Athletics Poised for Growth Under Raleigh

Since taking the helm as athletic director in 2017, Bill Raleigh has implemented a vision for growth and competitive excellence at Schreiner University. His most notable achievement is the development of a football program set to debut in 2026.

The football program is gaining momentum with strategic coaching hires including David Jones as offensive coordinator, alongside Keith Allen and Shane Hallmark. These coaches bring valuable Texas connections, with Jones formerly heading Kerrville Tivy High School and Hallmark coming from Klein High School near Houston.

“Having coaches with connections in the Houston and San Antonio areas is strategically crucial for recruiting in Texas,” Raleigh said, emphasizing the importance of local knowledge for building a strong program.

The university has already secured over 40 commitments despite being years away from the inaugural kickoff, which is targeted for fall 2026 at Antler Stadium.

In another strategic move, Schreiner has joined the American Southwest Conference (ASC), which offers stronger competition and improved travel logistics for all sports programs. While this presents challenges for the nascent football program, Raleigh believes it will ultimately elevate all athletic programs.

Concurrent with these expansions, Schreiner is investing in athletic infrastructure with multiple construction projects underway to support both current and future programs.

Despite these competitive ambitions, academics remain central to Schreiner’s athletic philosophy. Raleigh proudly notes that almost all programs maintain GPAs above 3.0, exemplifying the Division III commitment to academics above athletics.

“Metal Magic and Molten Mayhem” Workshop Brings Art to Campus

Meanwhile, Schreiner’s commitment to the arts continues with the upcoming “Metal Magic and Molten Mayhem” workshop as part of the Summerland Visiting Artist Series. Dallas-area artist Alex Johnson, a Texas A&M Corpus Christi graduate and former member of the Texas Atomic Iron Commission, will lead participants in creating cast aluminum relief sculptures.

Workshop participants will carve designs into resin-bonded sand tiles before Johnson pours molten aluminum into the carvings to create take-home artworks. The event, accommodating up to 50 participants, is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m., weather permitting, at either the Trail Head or the Robins Lewis Pavilion.

“This type of event is unique to Kerrville,” said Clay McClure, professor of design at Schreiner University, highlighting the distinctive qualities of aluminum in artistic metal pours.

Johnson will also give an artist talk on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Junan Ministry Fellowship Hall.

The Summerland Visiting Artist Series, established in memory of Daniel and Ruben Summerland, regularly brings artists to campus to engage with students and the community. Katharine Boyette, Community Arts Project Director, emphasized that these events strengthen connections between the university and local residents—mirroring Raleigh’s efforts to build community relationships through athletics.

For more information about the workshop or Schreiner University’s athletics programs, contact the university directly.