Fanatic Recognition

Fanatic Recognition

I've been a sports fan all my life. As a kid sports was everything to me, it was all I wanted to do. I'll never forget going to my first Major League Baseball game at Shea Stadium with my Mom. She raised my sister and I and had to be Mom and Dad, that day she took me to the Mets game is a memory I can still see vividly in my mind. I was fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood of our passionate fans like me. One of my friends loved the NHL and took me to see the Islanders play at Nassau Coliseum, I didn't know anything about hockey but it was a blast! It was fast and exciting the players were tough athletic guys that loved to fight, it was awesome! Another one of my friends that we played basketball with was Julius "Dr. J" Erving's nephew, we use to go see the Net's play all the time. Sports has been part of my life as far back as I can remember, it's also the reason I have such admiration for my fellow sports fans. I completely understand the deep routed feelings they have for the teams and professional players they're passionate about.

My fanaticism for sports was the inspiration for the creation of What A Fan. What A Fan is an Organization that honors fans through appreciation events and recognition awards, celebrating their contributions to the sports industry. In 2013 the What A Fan Awards were created to pay tribute to fans of all genre for their dedication, loyalty and passionate support. The Award Show is the Worlds only event specifically dedicated to recognizing the outstanding fanatics that fill stadiums and arenas across the globe. Its held in Orlando Florida every Labor Day weekend. There are twelve categories of awards handed out each year which include; the Nations top NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA, AFL, Nascar, Online Media, Social Network / Blog, Tailgate / Fan Club and the Ultimate Sports Fan. The biggest award of the year is the American Sports Icon Award, its our tribute to the sports heroes of ages. In 2013 we were honored to select Dick Vitale and last years winner was Muhammad Ali. All nominee's are submitted to our panel of National media judges who review all material including; photo's, submission forms and community service activities. Winners are revealed the day of the show.

Providing recognition for passionate, dedicated, loyal supportive sports fans is not just our Mission, its the right thing to do and its time has come! There are so many different categories of fans, super fans, tailgating groups, season ticket holders, casual fans, the sports bar fan and the home tailgate fan. They all have different ways of expressing their fanaticism but each and everyone of fan shares a common passion for sports. We all know a fan or two that deserves to be recognized for their dedication, so log onto www.whatafanshow.com and learn how you or someone you know can be honored at the next What A Fan Awards.

A FAN Friendly Idea

A FAN Friendly Idea!

I have been extremely fortunate to have been involved with some of the most amazing news makers of our lifetime and it has broadened my vision of whats possible with the right mind set and creative thinking. I was lucky to have been blessed with a fan friendly idea while watching a NBA game on television one summer day in Las Vegas in 1998. It is said when a great idea comes to you it presents itself in a detailed vivid vision and I'd have to say that's exactly how my idea came to me.

As the games competition intensified a fan, as tv directors will often do, was shown screaming at the top of his lungs with painted face and costume. It hit me like someone was standing there physically ans slapped me across my face, a television show, I'll create a tv show that provides an insightful look into the lives of fans like that guy. I immediately grabbed a napkin an pen, it was all I could fine, and began to poor my thoughts out onto the napkin. I couldn't stop writing, it just keep coming out of me. It was like I could see it visually in my head, this world of sports fans in all sports around the world. It was exciting and scary and exciting all at the same time...

Back then Google didn't even exist, there was no means of checking if a concept like this had been created. The advantage I had was I worked in the sports industry and traveled across the country a great deal and had been heavily involved with the entertainment industry booking clients on television sitcoms and movies. I knew there was nothing on television like it and thought from the beginning this was going to be huge! The name that hit me immediately, for what I thought at the time was a brilliant idea, was "What A Fan." Needless to say it stuck!

This blog moving forward will take you on a journey from that day in a hotel in Las Vegas to the current state of where this amazing brand has come. The good the bad and all the ugly beautiful accomplishments that we continue to shrive for. I'm a sports fan, what are you a fan of?