Next Season

[ManU62280]

*Not meant to be a knock on the Cenntenial Firm*
With the new stadium opening next season I think that it is imperative that the supporter group(s) step up. After watching games in Chicago, DC and Houston, there is some work to do for the supporter group(s) here in Colorado. Here are just a couple of suggestions that I have.
1) Make up shirts for the supporters group (SG) that include the group’s name, team colors and web address.
2) In order to be in the SG’s section of the stadium one should be wearing a jersey or team colors. Seeing all the orange in Houston did look cool on TV.
3) Jumping, singing, and drumming for the full 90 minutes. Keep the energy going. Barra Brava is a good example.
4) Flags and banners. I am not sure what the security is going to be like in the new stadium, but it would be nice if we were able to have team flags waving in the stands. A big banner for the TV shots would be good.

I know that these things cost money and time. If I didn’t live 4-5 hours away from Denver, I would be more than willing to help. Membership dues maybe something that needs to be discussed. We will be showing off a new stadium and I don’t think that I am the only one who is getting tired of having the Rapids being trashed because of lack of fan support. The new stadium is a great way to get new people into the SG.

[Quinn 33]

Trust me. It's being worked on.

[ManU62280]

One other thing that I was thinking about last night was that the River Ratz use to hand out a "man of the month" award. It seems like the players enjoyed it. Also it seems like the players would come over the section after the game a lot more than they do now. Mooch would always stop by the fan section before and after the game.

[Love Football]

We actually do have banners. I take the Class VI banner to each game.

It will really help when we aren't in a 76,000 seat stadium with 10,000 (or worse 3,000!) people. Being able to take in flags would be awesome.

C-Firm is working out new plans with RFO. Mark reported in another thread that CVI has 80 members now. The two groups together are getting to be a pretty respectable size. Tailgates this year started out small and by the end of the season they were pretty good. The away parties at the British Bulldog this year started out with a few of us, by the end of the season the place was packed. Good things are happening... Many plans starting up for the next season...

I couldn't agree more with you about wearing team colors, the problem is which ones. This year people are divided with colors, next year will be even worse! Do I throw out our $250 worth of jerseys or wear them??? (We could wear our Avalanche jerseys.:o) The other problem we have is that the RFO filled in our section with general tickets, so we ended up not having the whole group in team colors. I think that is where having flags helps, then the general sense of team colors are there with massive waves of team colors from the flags.

[outforkicks]

No worries about "knocking the C-Firm" ..I'm a member and I do it all the time,thing is (and peeps ain't gonna like this but..) there needs to be better organization.Right now there seems to be little power struggles in regards to "WHO" is in charge.We need some sort of "official member list" in order to be counted and respected as a SUPPORTER GROUP, and move on from there. What I do know (not just think,but KNOW) is that while "support" from the F.O. is cool and all..we have to be carefull.We don't want to turn into F.O. supporter puppets,we need to remain "organic" for one thing.
I'll let that seep in and see what responses come from it.
..*NOTE* this is meant to be constructive,I'm not taking personal stabs at anyone...

[GoRapids]

One other thing that I was thinking about last night was that the River Ratz use to hand out a "man of the month" award. It seems like the players enjoyed it. Also it seems like the players would come over the section after the game a lot more than they do now. Mooch would always stop by the fan section before and after the game.

CVI is working on this as we speak.

[bilfish]

CVI is working on this as we speak.
You sound like the government. "Son, we are on it. Go back to your homes. Have no concern."

I think good comments have been made, and wanted to add something. At the end of 2005 last year, there were NO supporters groups.

Class VI, under the direction of our august leader, went from 0 to 80 in 1 season, which is fantastic.

You know what they say, the first 75 is always the hardest! Especially when the entire idea of a "seating club" was not well received and there were many sarcastic and cynical and not very positive comments about the idea. Now people have really embraced our concept of passionate fans focused on the game and good friendships.

o Real tradition has already been built in just one season
o great new away game viewing options at the Bulldog have made non-game weeks fun again
o road trips have been successfully staged
o the Rapids FO has bought into our existence and supports us without getting in the way
o we've built a great membership
o suddenly we all want to get to games to support our club and our supporters group friendships that have come into being
o us older folks have generated some buzz in taking tailgates to the next level
o we've got some cool l'il pins and a decent website with updated information

All-in-all I'm not just proud of our group, I'm amazed that it has come together so quickly.

I used to have that nagging complex about how other teams had legions of great fans.

Not any more. When I'm with my peeps, I feel surrounded by vocal, knowledgeable, fun fans and I've had a great time.

These letters (http://rapidsclassvi.com/letters.shtml) say it better than I can.

Cheers,

BilFish

[Home n dry]

Some of it can be organized, and some of it just has to grow of its own accord, and takes time.

A lot of the CVI folk were perfect strangers at the first couple of games (we got more imperfect after a couple of beers), so bilfish's pride is justified. There have been sporadic attempts at more a colorful, TV-friendly kind of atmosphere, but I think the priority has been getting to know one another.

The comfort level will undoubtedly rise in the new barn, and I think the Bulldog parties have proven that a credible Cup run couldn't hurt either!

And beer.