Blog Entries for Ben

RED STARS TOP 1,000 SEASON TICKETS

toaddio@mac.com — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:00:00 +0100

Well shiver me timbers. The Red Stars have already sold 1,000 season tickets. I would like to give my heartfelt and hearty congratulations to the entire organization for this accomplishment. It is a really important milestone for the history of the team and the league.

The Chicago Red Stars became the first franchise in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) to surpass the 1,000 season ticket threshold, Director of Sale Greg Zaskowski announced today.

&ld [...]

Happy New Year/Post-Holiday Party

toaddio@mac.com — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:00:00 +0100

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone. I hope your holidays were cold, snowy and relaxing like mine were.

This year started off with a bang. Section 8 Chicago held its second annual Post-Holiday Party and it was a big success. This year we elected for a change of scenery and used the private room at Schuba's. Good times were had by most. We raffled off a few items, announced the two winners of the scarf competition and held a drive in the name of Mar [...]

Happy Holidays (2008)

toaddio@mac.com — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Happy Holidays everyone. Yesterday about eight Section 8ers gathered to help the Lakeview Food Pantry distribute food to families and individuals in the Lakeview area. I was really pleased as we represented the ISA proudly and fulfilled our commitment to volunter this holiday season. Special thanks to all of you that made it out to help.

&nb [...]

Meeting With The Fire

toaddio@mac.com — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Sorry for the delayed post on the subject but the Holidays are a busy time. This past Wednesday we had our monthly board meeting and it was a fun time as usual and there is a nice little recap on the forums. Two of the main issues we covered were our new merchandise and the new $99 season ticket package.

The merchandise is in and I have to say I think all three items look good. To those of you that preordered, I'll work with you to get your stuff as soon as possib [...]

Potential Lawsuit

toaddio@mac.com — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Last week I received a phone call from someone at the Fire's offices letting me know that Fire president Dave Greeley has been waiting for an email from me to continue the discussion regarding the commissions and Megabandera monies. I'm not sure how he was under that impression but miscommunications happen. No big deal. Looking back through my old emails I see that he wanted to 'connect in the near term'.

So last Tuesday morning I sent him a follow up email [...]

December and January Events

toaddio@mac.com — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Mark your calendars because we have a pair of events coming in the next month.

First things first, we have a board meeting planned for Wednesday, December 17th. The full details are available on our forums, but below you can find the short version:

Date: Wednesday, December 17thLocation: Manhattans, located at 415 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60605Time: 6:00 PM - to whenever we've had too many PBRs

We always encourage people to join us as the meetings can be informative [...]

Our Pledge to the FireWorks For Kids Foundation

toaddio@mac.com — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0100

As some of you already know, we have an unfortunate disagreement with the Fire's front office regarding some money they should have already paid to us. Even though that issue has not yet been resolved, I wanted to let everyone know that earlier today I was able to deliver a check to Jessica Yavitz with the FireWorks For Kids Foundation and we did reach our pledge for 2008.

Section 8 Chicago believes that it is essential to the existence of the club that all members contribute in [...]

Congratulations to Sector Latino and Section 8

toaddio@mac.com — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0100

This evening I was at the 17th Annual People's Thanksgiving, a fundraiser for Fight Back! ¡Lucha y Resiste! newspaper. I have to admit that I'm not an avid reader of the publication, but the organization honored Sector Latino for being a "Latino youth fan club of the Chicago Fire soccer team who stood up to racist harassment by the security guards in Toyota Park, the home stadium."

About six members of Sector Latino were on had to accept the award and celebr [...]

Holiday Volunteers

toaddio@mac.com — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0100

I had this idea that there might be enough family-less people around here, those of you who are perhaps not from here and aren't going home for the holidays, or perhaps some that simply don't have elaborate plans on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I would likt to help organize a volunteer effort and find a soup kitchen or some other organization that needs volunteers. We then volunteer during the day and find a bar to drink at in the evening.

Even if you're busy durin [...]

Blogging in the New Year

toaddio@mac.com — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:00:00 +0100

For my new years resolution I've decided that I'll be blogging a bit more than before. I think it's important, considering some of the issues we've faced this past year, that I keep everyone a bit more informed. To do that I plan to pull some of the information out of our fourms and into a blog where more people can see it.

I have to admit, I've been hugely inspired by Peter Wilt's ability to blog like crazy - good or bad, rain or shine. I think it'll be v [...]

S8OT - EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

toaddio@mac.com — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:00:00 +0100

S8OT - EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS::
As you all know by now, the Chicago Fire is heading to Columbus on Thursday to take on the Crew in the Eastern Conference Finals. Anticipating that this might be the scenario, we’ve been able to reserve a bus to help get supporters to the match.

At this point, we have been able to secure a second bus, if you intend to make the trip and would like to take the bus, please visit the store and register – first come first s [...]

Letter from the President

toaddio@mac.com — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:00:00 +0100

To everyone that's been involved in the issues over the past two months, it's important that you read this message from Chicago Fire President Dave Greeley. Dear Ben:

It was a pleasure meeting you and some others from Section 8 at the recent New York Red Bulls game. I have only been with the Chicago Fire and TOYOTA PARK a few weeks now, but the excitement and energy from everyone at the organization, our fans and the community is indeed infectious. And, there certainly is n [...]

Two for One Ticket Deal

toaddio@mac.com — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:00:00 +0100

Section 8 Chicago and the Chicago Fire have worked out a $30 ticket deal for the end of the season. It's Diego Gutierrez's final season with the team and we would like to send him out in style. That means filling the stands and honoring him on the field as well as helping him raise money for his charity efforts.

Here's the deal:

Two tickets to the game on Thursday, 10/23.
Two tickets to the yet to be announced playoff game.

On top of that, Sect [...]

Moving Forward

toaddio@mac.com — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:00:00 +0100

When Section 8 Chicago first approached the Chicago Fire regarding the allegations of racism at Toyota Park, we were obviously very disappointed in the club’s initial reaction. So disappointed that we felt we had to follow through with our plans for a silent protest at the game on August 16th. And while the team may have lost to D.C. United, the ISA truly hopes and believes that the overall result of voicing our concerns will be positive.

Prior to Saturday’s game, the Chi [...]

Welcome To Chicago

toaddio@mac.com — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 02:00:00 +0100

In case you haven't heard, the name of the Chicago's Women's Professional Soccer team was officially announced yesterday. And as the advisory fan poll indicated they might do, the team has been named the Chicago Red Stars.

Just as the Chicago Fire's identity has been built on the history of our great city, so they have also chosen wisely by linking the team to our civic pr [...]

Help us Fight Malaria

toaddio@mac.com — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:00:00 +0100

We are trying to raise some money for Diego Gutierrez's Nothing But Nets campaign and we're offering a special deal to help you contribute (online only) and get some special Section 8 gear while you're helping fight malaria.

For those of you that don't know, Diego Gutierrez and Nothing But Nets are raising money to purchase mosquito nets to fight malaria across Africa and Section 8 Chicago would like to help. See the latest information on the program here.

Follow the Fire with S8OT Season Tickets

toaddio@mac.com — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:00:00 +0100

A message from Section 8 Chicago Chairman, Ben Burton.

This year, we are offering an "Away Game Season Ticket" for our four closest road trips. Bus seat and match ticket included: $200.

Because of the scarcity of tickets in KC and Toronto, we're offering this plan for a limited time. We only have 100 packages to sell so right now this is [...]