For Quakes Season Ticket Holder Jennifer Heddy, clapping her hands together was the only way she could communicate to her family.
“I had lost my voice nine months ago after having a paralyzed vocal cord,” Jennifer said. “We would be at the house and I would have to clap at my boys when I needed something. As you could imagine, that got old pretty quick.”
Jennifer, along with her husband Shane and two sons, Trevor and Brandon, have been Quakes season ticket holders since 2012, residing in the Buck Shaw Stadium Netsuite seats just a few feet away from the field.
When Chris Wondolowski scored the game-tying goal in the team’s final match up with the Galaxy last season, a voiceless Jennifer had to show her excitement somehow.
“I was flailing my arms around and jumping up and down!” Jennifer explained. “I couldn’t yell, so I had to celebrate any way I could.”
With her voice back intact and the Quakes season just weeks away, the Heddy family look ahead to the club’s inaugural season at Avaya Stadium in Club Section BC2 . Just as they were at Buck Shaw Stadium, they’re in shouting distance of the players, a huge reason why they’re back on the sideline for the 2015 season.
“Once you sit on the field next to the players, it’s a whole different experience,” Shane said. “We love hearing how the player’s communicate with one another and just being close to a the 18-yard box is something we’ve always wanted.”
Shane, a director of a small consultant company, grew up around baseball and football both as a fan and a player. Rather than congregate to the ballpark like he did as a teenager, Shane and his family march home to the pitch.
“I didn’t play soccer as a kid and didn’t have that experience that my kids have now,” Shane said. “We bought these seats because it’s family time for us. When kids become teenagers, you tend to spend less time with them, so this is an opportunity for us to come here on a game day and spend time together as a family.”
The Heddy family isn’t shy about cheering for their team, surrendering to the fact that they love to contribute to what they call “the noise.”
“I’ve missed the supporters groups this offseason,” Jennifer admits. “The noise and the ambiance they bring makes everything at the game come together. Their passion has rubbed off on us and we like to keep it loud.”
Not only has soccer given the Heddy’s the ultimate in-game experience, quality family time, and the opportunity to bring the noise to Quakes games, it’s highlighted the sole reason why they March Home.
“We march home to watch the game that we all love,” Jennifer said. “Soccer has given us some unforgettable memories and has brought us together as a family, so we’re just excited to see what Avaya Stadium has in store for us.”
With the club’s home opener fast-approaching, Jennifer admits she may have to resort back to last year’s goal celebration.
“Of course, just as I’m starting to get my voice back, the season’s about to start,” Jennifer said. “With this new stadium opening up, I don’t anticipate having my voice for too long.”
