SAN ANTONIO — The UTSA men’s golf team will pay tribute to Navy Special Operations Chief (SEAL) David M. Collins throughout the 2015-16 campaign by participating in the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program.
One member of the UTSA team will carry a commemorative golf bag to pay tribute to Collins at each tournament this season. At the end of the year, the bag will be auctioned off with all proceeds given to the Folds of Honor, a program that raises money to give scholarships to the children of wounded warriors and fallen soldiers.
"We are very proud to be able to honor our military this year by carrying a bag in tribute of a fallen hero," head coach John Knauer said. "San Antonio is known for its military pride and here at UTSA, we take every chance we can to say thanks to the men and women who in reality give us the chance to have college athletics in the first place. In this great country, we have the opportunities we have because of the freedoms afforded by our soldiers."
Team captain J.J. Lindsey, a senior from Adkins, will be the first Roadrunner to carry the honorary bag for Collins during the Sam H. Hall Intercollegiate on Sept.14-15 in Hattiesburg, Miss.
"The bag looks amazing," Jennifer Collins, David's wife, said. "I can't thank UTSA enough for honoring Dave in this way. I showed it to his family and his brother — also an avid golfer — teared up. He loves it and is also incredibly grateful to UTSA and the men's golf team for their recognition."
Collins enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April of 1988 and successfully completed first class dive school and was assigned to SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek by 1991. In 1995, David attended Basic Underwater Demolition Training, graduating with UDT Class 203.
Upon graduation, Collins served three deployments to South America in support of Special Operations Command South with SEAL Team FOUR and completed combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq as plank owner with SEAL Team TEN.
Collins retired from naval service in September 2012, having notably served in Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
David’s personal awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Valor, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, eight Navy Good Conduct Medals and numerous service and campaign awards.
As a result of his years of service and specifically 10 years of combat, David suffered from blast-induced traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that is frequent in NFL players and is a continual issue within the military.
Collins passed from service-connected wounds on March 12, 2014.
Friends and family regard David as a kind soul and a devoted loving father and husband who instilled the values of humility, kindness, loyalty, and love.
The FHMTP provides the opportunity for any collegiate or high school golf program to honor a fallen or severely wounded American soldier by having a team member carry a golf bag displaying the name, rank and branch of service of the soldier being honored during the school year.