Fanatics Supported by Firebirds
Matthew Pickut
Monday March 25, 2002
According to Firebirds Director of Community Relations Tim Smith, however, fan support is what the team is hoping to give the Firebirds Fanatics Fan Club. “We want it to be their own thing.”
The Fanatics will be holding their first meeting 7:00 p.m. this Monday, March 25, at Outtabounds Pub & Eatery (just west of 65th and Georgetown on Georgetown). They began in January and already include more than 60 “hard-core, go-at-it boosters.” Meetings will feature free food (always a plus) and planning for the club’s events. According to Smith, the club meets at Outtabounds because it offered an atmosphere appropriate for both adults and students. Club members will also receive a 10% discount on food and drinks at the restaurant by showing their membership card.
Membership entitles fans to attend fan club meetings, a Firebirds Fanatics T-shirt (the club includes two shirts with a family membership), and to attend Fan club events throughout the season. At $25 for individuals and $40 for a family (two adults and immediate family), members will also receive access to a special tailgating section planned for before games, a feature that will go along way to making up for last years lack of space for pre-game tailgating. “We want to give them a place to tailgate and have a party,” said Smith.
Smith’s past jobs in community relations includes time with the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Cleveland Lumberjacks (AHL), the Albuquerque Dukes and the Richmond Roosters (Minor League Baseball), but as team liaison for the fan club he hopes that he can give the Fanatics the support that other clubs sometimes lack. Smith revealed that Firebirds players will make appearances at club events and the entire team will attend a year-end awards banquet. Members will also get a twenty percent discount at the Home Court gift shop at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The club has planned road trips to away games beginning with a trip to Grand Rapids April 27. Trips also being discussed include a trip to Dallas in June. When not traveling, the club will get together at the Outtabounds Pub & Eatery to watch televised away games.
Those interested in membership may sign up at the Fanatics website http://www.firebirdfanatics.com/ which feature not only fan club news but also, of course a link to Arenafan (smart guys those fanatics!). Questions may be addressed via the website or by calling Tim Smith at (219) 917-3097.
Matthew Pickut is a pastor in northern Indiana and a long time AFL fan. He also writes for his own website: The Brown Paper Blog. He graduated from Taylor University in Upland Indiana (class of `96) with degrees in Biblical Literature and Sociology as well as a healthy respect for the medicinal properties of coffee.
