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.
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!
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