Each home game, the Earthquakes select a Season Ticket Holder to be this week's Fan of the Match, presented by Avaya. The lucky fan is presented with the amazing opportunity to experience warmups from field level, sit on the team bench, get a bag of free Earthquakes merchandise, and last but not least, meet a player for a photograph right after warmups! This week's Fan of the Match is Allen Napetian
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SJEarthquakes.com:
Tell us about your journey to becoming a Season Ticket Holder? How did the process start and what convinced you ultimately?
Allen Napetian:
We had just moved here from Portland and had been talking about going to a Quakes game as we had heard great things about Avaya stadium. One day, although I had never reached out to the Quakes organization, I got a call from Chris Futch out of the blue. I ended up talking to Chris on a couple of occasions and finally ended up meeting him with my family down at Avaya one afternoon. We were the only ones at the stadium, and Chris walked us around the stadium, shared with us the Quakes’ rich history, and talked about the variety of season seat options there were. We were impressed with him and the stadium - it was spectacular. We knew right then and there that we had to be a part of the Quakes family. To top it off, with Chris's support, we attended a game against Sporting KC and we were hooked!
SJEQ:
You have a son, Ian, who plays competitively. What has being able to see professional soccer on a regular basis done for not only his game but his
enjoyment of the sport?
AN:
We come out early to the games and Ian watches all the players warm up. He watches them do similar, if not the same, regiment he does with his club. He can see the focus and intensity. He sees that no matter whether you’re an aspiring young player or a professional, hard work, practice, and passion is what you have to give day in and day out to improve. As a result, he takes every practice seriously, listens carefully to the feedback he gets from his coaches, and applies what he learns immediately to his game. During the Quakes games, he carefully watches the different formations on the pitch, how the players make adjustments during the game, and the high level of intensity the players play with. Most importantly, he also sees the mutual respect among teammates and opposing teams. It's the ultimate team sport.
SJEQ:
We appreciate the distance you travel to get to Avaya Stadium on matchday! What’s one thing makes the trip worth it for you?
AN:
It's not just one thing... It's the whole experience. It may be a long commute, but it's an easy one. Parking is a snap and the attendants there are so helpful. The minute we arrive we can already smell the hot dog vendors in the parking lot selling bacon-wrapped hot dogs and then we head in where we have a little picnic in the Epicenter Fan Zone before the game. Each one of us goes and gets his/her favorite concession and we meet back at where we put our Quakes blanket down. Then the game starts and the excitement really begins. It's just a great way to spend "family time". It's a family-friendly park with helpful staff always there to help you and respectful fans that make it enjoyable for everyone. Lastly, whether it's seeing Jesse walk around the park before the game or the players sticking around the parking lot after the game to sign autographs and take photos with the fans, I just get the sense that the Quakes organization really appreciates the fan base and is committed to staying connected with us.
SJEQ:
What is the food truck of choice for you, your wife and Ian?
AN: Ian loves the lobster roll from Sam's Chowder Mobile, Tina heads straight for Falafel Fresh, and make my way to the regular concession stand where I get the Q Nachos. At halftime, we head make our way to the Polish sausage stand.
SJEQ:
What have you enjoyed most about the 2017 season so far?
AN:
As a Season Ticket Holder, I've really appreciated the different "Devotion Days" activities that have been offered. Andrew Schleicher has been a great Fan Relations Specialist, and I always get the sense that he and the Quakes have our interest in mind for everything that they do. Being a new Season Ticket Holder the entire experience with the Quakes has exceeded all of my expectations. Something else that I've enjoyed this season is the players’ continued commitment in making themselves accessible and available to fans after games for autographs, pictures, and more. Jesse has done the same. I'm amazed by how appreciative and willing they are to say hello, shake hands, and really make us, the fans, feel valued. I haven't experienced this anywhere in professional sports for a very long time.
