The University of Texas System Board of Regents approved the naming of the Citizens 1st Bank – Perkins Soccer Complex, UT Tyler President Rodney H. Mabry announced today.

“We’re very pleased and excited the Board of Regents approved the naming of the performance soccer field. We’re proud to be associated with Citizens 1st Bank and Jim and Margaret Perkins, and we appreciate their foresight in helping boost UT Tyler’s athletic program. They understand that without a long history of athletics and former players we needed friends to step forward and make this remarkable venue available.”

The UT Tyler Men’s and Women’s Patriot soccer teams began playing on the new field this season.

“Citizens 1st Bank and the Perkins family appreciate the opportunity to support one of the nation’s best universities, The Universities of Texas at Tyler, and to support sports and exercise, which we believe are keys to good health,” said Mr. Perkins.

Located adjacent to the main campus entrance, the complex is comprised of a lighted performance field, spectator and team seating, parking lot, ceremonial flagpole, state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard and landscaping.

The soccer complex was completed in summer 2005 at a total cost of approximately $1 million. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, along with Citizens 1st Bank, have made gifts and pledges totaling $400,000.

The field will be used not only for UT Tyler soccer but also for hosting local and regional tournaments, as well as youth summer camps.

“We’ve often heard from our players and from opposing players and coaches that our field is the finest in the American Southwest Conference,” President Mabry added.

Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are longtime supporters of UT Tyler, having made numerous individual and corporate gifts toward various programs and projects including the President’s Associates and Cowan Center sponsorships.

Serving on the UT Tyler Development Board, Mr. Perkins is a member of its executive committee. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins are members of the UT Tyler Heritage Society, indicating their support of the university through a planned gift.

Citizens 1st Bank, locally owned by Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, is one of the highest rated banks in the nation, recognized as A+ by Sheshunoff Rating Services and Weiss Ratings, Inc., five stars by Bauer Financial Reports and holds Veribank Bank Rating’s highest rating.

Chartered in 1920, the bank has locations in Tyler, Rusk, Nacogdoches and Jacksonville. In addition to Mr. Perkins, other members of the Citizens 1st Bank leadership team are involved in and financially supportive of UT Tyler, both as donors and volunteers.