TURNING FANS INTO HEROES
As a fan, what could
actually increase the excitement of attending a professional football game? How
about being able to go down on the field during pre-game, talk to players,
coaches, get a few autographs, snap pictures, and a free bag of gear? Yeah, I’d
say that would increase the excitement!!
The new United Football
League (UFL) with teams in Florida, New York, Nevada, and California, decided they
would do things different for the fans. I got to tag along with folks at the
VIP Fan Experience at a recent Florida Tuskers game at the Orlando Citrus Bowl.
From the looks of things, this VIP treatment is catching on quick with fans.
The emails came in soon
after the game stating the fabulous results, “My kids think I’m a hero now
cause I brought them down on the field.” Ralph Vuono, Senior Director of
Marketing for the United Football League (UFL) says those messages from several
fathers confirm the league is on the right track with their new fans. “That’s
awesome and that’s what you want. Because if the kids’ are saying, ‘I want to
watch the game and go to a game, then the parents are going to take them.”
As a way to generate a
following for this four team league, the UFL created the VIP Fan Experience. The
idea came from input by fans and blog sites before a down was played. League
officials decided to incorporate this simple but unique method to bring folks
closer to game day action. “One of the things they’ve never experienced at a
professional football game is going on the field before a game which a lot of
us take that for granted because we’ve been around this business our entire
life,” says Vuono. “We didn’t realize that most people who go to a football
game have never done that.”
The
UFL VIP Fan Experience includes pre-game field access, a ‘swag’ bag full of
hats, t-shirts, and concession vouchers. And most importantly, people meet and
interact with players, coaches, and league officials. They can get autographs
and pictures and enjoy the excitement of what is about to take place on the
field. “I’ve been to just a few pro football level events but I’ve never had
the opportunity to actually go down on the field to meet the players,” says
Kristi Fralic who had the VIP treatment at the last Tuskers game. “I’m really
excited to be here.”
As
a player on the sidelines, I must admit the familiar feel. Players doing their
thing, some on their own and some with one or two others. Camera folks running
around, media setting up, trainers scurrying about, and the who’s who chatting
amongst themselves. Several players stopped and signed autographs for the fans
including Tuskers Head Coach Jim Haslett and former Baylor Bear Matt Bryant,
the Tuskers kicker.
About
40 Tusker fans young and old strolled the sidelines the night I tagged along,
the most of any UFL game so far. Richard Jones found it a great benefit offered
to any level of ticket holder, “It’s something up close and personal and you
don’t see that in other pro leagues.” And,
a number of fans from the UFL Access board believe this is what sets the UFL
apart from other leagues. One fan posted the VIP experience “is awesome and
exactly what the country needs, a fan friendly pro sports league.”
Ben
Barilich, Marketing Coordinator for the UFL, is key link to the VIP Fan
Experience. He organizes and coordinates the event, the fans, and the bag of
gear. His attention to detail gets noticed, “Everyone had shirts that fit
because Ben took the time to ask everyone what their size was. This was a nice
personal touch,” noted Tusker fan Bob Bluestone.
For
this Football Chick, I applaud the UFL for creating a wonderful experience for
fans. Everyone I talked to walked away knowing they would be back to the
Tuskers next game. Parents seemed just as star-struck as their kids watching
the likes of Tatum Bell, Michael Pittman, Brooks Bollinger, Chas Gessner, Tim
McGarigle, and Odell Thurman. Me, I was hoping to meet former Buckeye LB Anthony Schlegel, but unfortunately that did not happen. Next time...
To
get the VIP treatment for any UFL game, fans can log onto www.uflaccess.com and email News Director
Nation Hahn. Hahn calls this experience “the epitome of fan friendly.”
There
are plenty of players with NFL experience and Texas ties in the UFL. Hopefully it won’t be
long before there is a UFL team in Texas.
Potential cities thrown out there include Austin
and San Antonio,
but what about Frisco! We are the capital of sports in Texas with the professional and minor league
teams here including the Dallas Stars and Texas Tornados, Frisco Rough Riders,
FC Dallas, and Donnie Nelson’s new basketball team. Frisco is home to
incredible training facilities like The Fieldhouse and Zoom Sports Performance (Athletic Republic) where Florida Tuskers
RB Shaud Williams trains. And, PizzaHutPark
is a venue well suited for the high caliber, fan accessible football these guys
are playing. I am, for one, thinking this is a great idea…Frisco Fire…how’s
that for a name? To learn more about the league, check out their website: www.ufl-football.com . For more information on the Florida Tuskers, go to www.tuskerhouse.com .
Stay
inspired and Bring it!
Kip
#45
