Stewart McVicar 2016 What A Fan Awards Nominee

Meet Stewart McVicar. This die-hard Chicago Cubs fan has built one of the most incredible man caves you've ever seen. You would think you've died and gone to Cubs heaven. His unique room has been visited by players, media and charitable organizations which he allows them to use for fundraising purposes. Its an amazing room we hope to visit one day ourselves. Best of luck Stewart.

Sports fans have been an important part of the explosive success both collegiate and professional athletics has enjoyed. In 2013 a recognition award show was created to honor fans and their contribution to the sports industry it's called the What A Fan Awards. Its has been held in Orlando Florida for the last three years and has now been relocated to Los Angeles California beginning July 15th 2016. Over the coming weeks we're going to introduce you to some of the countries most devoted fans of all genres of sports  in their own words.

How long have you been a sports fan?

I have been a Chicago Cubs fan since I was 8 years old. I used to watch the cartoon Superman. One day I turned on WGN and it was the Cubs were on. Harry Caray's love and passion for the game sucked me in. Every day since I have Bled Cubbie Blue. I am a current STH and attend 50-60 Cubs games a year. My vacation is usually set seeing the Cubs on the road! I have been to over 30 MLB ballparks. I attend all of the Cubs off field Charity events...I also go to Spring Training on a regular basis. When I was younger my Mother would take my brother and I on road trips to see the Cubs. We used to stay the Cubs hotel and hang out in the lobby and get autographs. Being a Cub fan as brought my family closer because we shared a common bond. My grandparents became huge fans of the Cubs and it brought us closer. It's not easy being a Cubs fan with the tradition of losing. However, I would not change a single thing. I am proud of it and WHEN WE WIN!!! It will mean everything! 

Why should you be selected winner in this category?

The question I get asked from the media the most is "Am I the biggest Cubs fan?" I answer that question with a resounding "No!" I have met many, many wonderful Cubs throughout my life. People who share the same love and passion for the team as I do. I believe you get to a certain point where you can't be more passionate or love your team anymore than you already do. Cubs baseball is like a religion. It's like going to Church everyday. You get to know everyone at the ballpark. They become your second family! I always said what separates me from the rest of the great fans is my lifelong dream and passion project, That project is called Club 400! It's how I chose to show my passion and love for the team. It is the #1 Chicago Cubs bar/museum/tribute in the U.S.A. MLB voted it #1 Fan Cave in 2013. I am the current 2015 Man Cave winner! It is 2,300 Square feet of all Chicago Cubs. I put my heart and soul into the 4 year long project. When I can't go to Wrigley Field.... I walk down 12 stairs to the next best thing! 

What triggered your passion for sports?

Harry Caray triggered my love for the game. He is my idol. He lived life and enjoyed every second of it! That's what I try to do....Live life......Work hard.... Play Hard! If I lose everything......the Cubs still play 162 games a year and we will have a chance to Win the World Series!

Favorite sports moment?

How many fans get to have the owner of the their favorite team come to their house? Tom Ricketts wanted to what Club 400 was all about and came out and help me raise over $30,000 for a triple amputee.(Nick Sheridan!) To have Tom come over and recognize my project meant the world to me. He came all by himself! No entourage, no cameras and hung out with over 150 Cubs fans and was one of the last ones to leave. Tom is not only a great owner but he is one of the nicest guys I know! 

Who would you like to meet and why?

I would love to drink a beer with Joe Maddon or Theo Epstein. Those guys are changing the culture of the Cubs! I think we will win a World Series in the next 5 years. Both those guys will be the reason why! When they win......they will never have to buy another drink in Chicago again!

What charitable programs are you involved with?

On August 24, 2013 I unveiled friends and family to Club 400. Since I was so close to the 4 year project I did not know what I had created until I saw my friends family and faces! The response was overwhelming. I decided to share this space and use it to help other Cubs fans in need. To date I have raised over $70,000 expect to eclipse the $100K mark this year. Tom Ricketts (owner of the Cubs) HOF-Fergie Jenkins, Kerry Wood have all visited Club 400. This years events is to help Anthony Rizzo's charitable cause which is pediatric cancer. Since I am part of the VERY BEST FAN BASE in sports I want to give back to Chicago Cubs charities and Cubs fans alike, We have 1 huge event each year and my personal goal is to raise over 1 million dollars with my lifelong dream! It believe it will happen. My charity events consists of silent/live auctions, 50/50 raffles, T-Shirt sales and other unique ways to raise money. I also do other fun things on the side. This year I will be taking a 23 old who has lived in a wheelchair to 2 Cubs games! 

How does your family feel about your passion for sports?

My family has been extremely supportive. Especially my wife! She let me spend a large amount on Club 400. We could of bought another house at the amount I spent. I think my Mom said it best in the video link above. My love and the passion for the game is contagious! My brother (my best friend) has also been supportive of me. We work together on a daily basis. He has always said "DO it, Stu" And I have! http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20151006/entlife/151009198/

How was your Logo created?

Club 400 logo was created by Brandon Ort. He won the contest for the Wrigley Field 100th anniversary logo. I am very proud of my logo and it represents me and Club 400.

How important is it to you to have an award show for fans?

An award show for Fans? I think it's genius and long overdue. Without the fans there is nothing! All these franchises depend on the loyalists. The repeating income. The season ticket holders. The true fans will always be there WIN or Lose....... How many Cubs game have I been to that they lost? Too many to count. I deserve an award for watching bad baseball since 1981! LOL  

What would winning mean to you?

If I won the award I would just be happy to represent my team. The Chicago Cubs. That would mean the most to me. I will never be able to play for them......so all I can d......is do my best to represent them proudly! My charity work to help Cubs fans is the best reward I can possibly get. Everything else is icing on the cake! If I win.....I will be grateful.....If I lose......well......there's always next year! 

Learn more about the What A Fan Awards by visiting www.whatafanshow.com and if you or someone you know are devoted, passionate and dedicated sports fans let them know they too could be Nominated for this honor!

Joseph Dangelo 2016 What A Fan Awards Nominee

Meet Joe Dangelo. This Tampa Bay Lightning die-hard fan is passionate about hockey. We were introduced to Joe by some of his fellow fans who told us his devotion for his beloved Lightning is only trumped by his compassion for his community. We're happy to recognize him for his dedication to sports.

Sports fans have been an important part of the explosive success both collegiate and professional athletics has enjoyed. In 2013 a recognition award show was created to honor fans and their contribution to the sports industry it's called the What A Fan Awards. Its has been held in Orlando Florida for the last three years and has now been relocated to Los Angeles California beginning July 15th 2016. Over the coming weeks we're going to introduce you to some of the countries most devoted fans of all genres of sports  in their own words.

How long have you been a sports fan?

I am a proud long time die-hard fan of the lightning since moving to florida in 1999...i went to my very first game and got hooked ever since..i enjoyed our parade in 2004 and each and every year after haven't missed a game ...i am a very dedicated fan who supports my team ..i think it inspired me to start my own lightning group and get involved in my community ,its that passion that drives me today to be a true fan and support my local team.

Why should you be selected winner in this category?

I believe there's a lot more to just being just a fan of the lightning ..i think that not only should a true fan support there team , but to serve the community..once i became a fan of the bolts i decided to get involved with the Tampa bay community and serve as a helpful citizen.. When I started the Tampa Bay Thunderstrikers, my mission was to be a leader and to help my community both with food drives and toy drives for the children that needed it..

What triggered your passion for sports?

I think some of the things that made me wanna help others was the mason dixon chrsistmas wish , every year they are sent donations and toys , this inspired me to get involved with helping others in the community , we raised money and toys and took them personally to the station to be dropped off for all the families that were in need of our help ..

Favorite sports moment?

I'd have to say the 2004 Stanley Cup championship was the greatest moment in my life ,i think the team was prepared to win that cup and worked hard for the victory...i still remember the parade and to this day wish for my team to reach its destiny..as a die hard hockey fan i never missed a lightning game since the day i watched them the very first day.

Who would you like to meet and why?

I'd like to meet Ryan Callahan because i think he is a team leader and a true hockey player...if Steven Stamkos were to leave i think Cally would be our captain.. I never liked the rangers, growing up an islanders fan , raised on Long Island New York we hated the rangers and it was one of the games best traditional games rivalry ...

What charitable programs are you involved with?

Mason Dixon Christmas wish for the Thunderstrikers and my job at renew life formulas ..our mission is too donate toys and collect checks to purchase toys for local needy families ..in 2016 we will start the Christmas in July toy drive to raise funds and toys for Decembers toy drive wish ..we also do food collection to Tampa Bay Ministries.

How does your family feel about your passion for sports?

My family is well aware of my passion for sports and even felt i should be a sports broadcaster ..i always watched the giants football games, yankees baseball games and islanders games before moving off Long Island in 1998, moved to Florida and became a lightning diehard in 1999...i collected baseball cards of old players and still have them today ..i attend lightning games and sit in the 100s ..just seven moths ago i started my thunderstrikers group starting out as a Tampa Bay lightning group and my goal is to become a nationwide group and have a social atmosphere,i am a true sports fan and im very loyal ...my group members go to the games and we have regular meetups and socials ..we started our own web site thunderstrikers.org and have merchandise as well.. my family is very proud of me and admire my passion for helping others and my passion for the lightning is very sincere and real I'm so proud.

What is it about the Tampa Bay Lightning you love so much?

I love the lightning and i think the reason i do is for many reasons , for one i love living in Tampa and i always have loved blue as my favorite color, i love the logo and the commitment the lightning management has made to put a contender every year on the ice. I've seen our owners commitment to the community and that has inspired me to do the same ,i think my members of my group have a passion and desire to be at the arena every night and root our team on ..we have several mascots that a true fan loves to support there team a spidey bolt and a flash bolt, a astronaut and thunder bug and two hardcore lightning groups as well ..i think being a lightning fan is a blessing .. the arena is packed jammed full of fans , i can remember going there when nobody wanted to go ..my first few years the team was b ad but a true fan supports there team thru it all good and bad well our patience has paid off..i believe that our owner is very committed to building up channelside and the arena already has the best light show in the business.. I consider myself a huge lightning fan and I'm proud to show off my banners and my shirts, my group serves the lightning and supports them , we serve the community a very important gola for my group is to have the lightning see for themselves how much we love this team ..our members are 300 strong after only 7 months of operation and win or lose we are there for them ..my passion for this team is very real and i will be a leader of the project to serve the lightning and community for many years to come ..dedication is each day and night i sit down and try to come up with ideas o n how much i can do to serve my purpose to be a fan and a leader and serve the community to be a role model and see those smiling faces after they receive there gifts ...to raise the bar every year and make a difference in somebody's life thru helping others food , toys and support thru donations and fundraisers...my friend don skully bucs fan has the same vision as me to put smiles on others faces and help others thru anyway you can ...

How was your character created?

I think as a true diehard fan i wear my blue thunderstrikers shirt and show off the lightning flag with pride, I've been caught on the tron as well as tv...i show up to games win or lose and have the same passion day in and out ..i spend countless hours with how i can make a difference to my community by doing these fundraisers and trying to set an example of what a real fan is to me the real fan is supporting your teams, attending when you can and working towards helping your community anyway you can thru fund raising and being active in social events that's me in every word.

How important is it to you to have an award show for fans?

I think its awesome to even be mentioned as a candidate for what a fan..id like to think i am a true loyal diehard passionate fan who is very involved both at the games, outside the games and heavy involved in the community functions ..i am very proud of all these candidates and there passion for there teams ..i think its an honor to be called a real true fan and what it stands for ..i believe that in order to be a true what a fan you need to serve your community , help others , make a statement and be a leader.i consider myself to be that person ..

What would winning mean to you?

It would mean a lot to carry on this tradition .. I feel I've worked hard at being a true fan and serving my community.. I feel to be given this huge honor id serve it the right way and be an example for others to follow... There are people that need help , people who would love a Christmas with gifts and food to eat .. I believe as a christian that the lord has given us blessings for a reason.. I believe he has chosen me to set the bar and be a leader.. Help others and do it proudly.. I feel I've been so blessed to be a true sports fan a true diehard lightning fan and to see the people I've helped smile and be happy ...the world needs more of this.

Learn more about the What A Fan Awards by visiting www.whatafanshow.com and if you or someone you know are devoted, passionate and dedicated sports fans let them know they too could be Nominated for this honor!