View from the Gondola

Great Fans

Recently I was reminded of the number one reason I love being the “voice” of the Missouri Mavericks…….Mavs fans.

As 1,500 people entered Independence Events Center for Fan Fest it gave me the opportunity to visit with several friends who pack the IEC from October through March.

Mavericks fans are a diversified bunch.  They may be on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to food, music, movie tastes, college teams they cheer for, religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin; but when it comes to the Missouri Mavericks they are united.

Mavs season ticket holders are teachers, 911 operators, retirees, students and people from many other occupations.

Among those I visited with at Fan Fest were Stephanie who told of her dogs,  Randy who recently earned an advanced certificate in diving and Teresa who wanted to jump out of an airplane many years ago.  I told if she goes through with it I will jump with her.

As a group, Mavericks’ fans are the BEST I’ve ever worked with and that is saying a lot.  During my first experience with a pro team the Kansas City Attack soccer rooters were wonderful.  Their booster club president Norma gave me a suggestion I still use on my broadcasts.  To this day I get compliments for using her suggestion.  Thanks, Norma.

While working in Wichita I got along well with Thunder fans.

However, you can’t please everyone all of the time.  A family in Wichita preferred a previous announcer because he cussed on the air.   Darn.

A family in Topeka who cheered on the ScareCrows and later Tarantulas are very close to my family.  We’ve had many visits over the years.

At Mavericks games I love seeing fans who are best friends with one another though they weren’t acquainted four years ago.

I look forward to hockey season when I get to see the Mavs fans again.

Mavericks Fan Fest

We can't wait until the home opener