St. Thomas University football stadium and team under construction
The St. Thomas University football team’s logo may well as be a construction hat.
That’s because workers this spring are adding to STU’s on-campus football stadium, building a shaded home grandstand with about 2,000 seats. In addition, they are constructing a two-story suite area that stretches from the 20-yard line to the other 20. That suite will include a press box and areas for the home and road coaching staffs.
The Bobcats team is also under construction as this is the first year under coach Drew Davis, the 33-year-old son of Butch Davis.
With STU’s annual Spring Game set for Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m., the Bobcats are hard at work building chemistry, cohesion and consistency – no matter the conditions.
For example, after a recent rainy practice, Drew Davis told the Miami Herald: “We just had a monsoon. We got a wet-ball practice, and I didn’t even ask for it. God gave it to me.”
Speaking of divine intervention, Bobcats fans are no doubt praying for a first NAIA national football championship. The Bobcats went 43-14 over the past five years under coach Bill Rychel, who in December resigned to focus on his role as STU’s senior vice president for athletics. Davis was then hired.
Historically, West Palm Beach’s Keiser University has been a thorn in STU’s side as the Seahawks are 8-0 all-time against the Bobcats. Keiser has played in the past four straight national championship games, winning the title in 2023.
That’s important because one of Davis’ first moves in building his coaching staff was to hire Mickey O’Rourke as defensive coordinator. O’Rourke – not to be confused with famed actor Mickey Rourke – spent the past four years at Keiser.
“He’s an elite communicator and a high-level coach,” Davis said of O’Rourke, 35, who worked as a defensive backs and linebacker coach, among other roles, at Keiser.
“From our first conversation, I could tell we had the same values and morals. … (O’Rourke) wanted to be part of what we’re building.”
Davis has also hired Kevin Weston, 46, as STU’s special-team coordinator. Weston has more than 20 years of coaching experience, including the past seven as a special-teams coordinator at Florida A&M (2025); Norfolk State (two years); and The Citadel (four years).
“I don’t want to just survive on special teams,” Davis said. “I want to thrive, and Kevin will provide an impact.”
Davis has one more major hire to make as the Bobcats need an offensive coordinator.
That coach will be key because the Bobcats have no veteran quarterbacks on their roster – just five true freshmen battling for the job.
Indeed, the Bobcats have lost some of the best players in program history over the past two years, including quarterback Keely Watson; running back Rontavious Farmer; and wide receiver David Hays.
Watson last year completed 57.4 percent of his passes for 2,821 yards, 27 TDs and eight interceptions.
Farmer, in his senior season of 2024, rushed for 1,528 yards and led the nation with 139 yards per game. After that season, he earned an invite to New York Giants camp.
Hays, a three-time All American, caught 39 TD passes during that span. Recently, he worked out for NFL scouts at the University of Miami’s Pro Day.
Davis, who was STU’s quarterbacks coach last year, said Hays’ invitation to Pro Day didn’t happen by accident.
Said Davis: “I didn’t call and say, ‘I’m Butch Davis’ son. Get my receiver there.’ No, no, no. (Scouts) knew Hays deserved to be there, catching passes from (Miami QB) Carson Beck.”
Davis said STU has “some holes” at wide receiver and the offensive line that need to be filled before the season opener at Cumberland (Tennessee) on August 27.
As for the quarterbacks, Davis said he is not afraid to start a freshman.
“We have a talented (QB) room,” Davis said. “I’m going to do what’s best for the program. If I feel we need age and experience, we’ll do that (by signing a transfer).
“But, right now, I’m letting the young guys battle it out.”