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A few months ago MLSsoccer.com came across and vintage footage featuring Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo when he played for the team, um, taking a fall after scoring a goal. SEE IT HERE
Last week we came across different types of old-school videa...commercials from the early years.
The first was discover on a tweet by TheOffsideRules, featuring Uruguayan midfielder Adrian Paz. We'll post a few others in the coming days, featuring Bravo and Marcelo Balboa.
Great throwback @coloradorapids advert. R.I.P. Mooch. vimeo.com/12237452
— Shawn Francis (@TheOffsideRules) October 4, 2012
This commercial was a Clio Award winner and I was the Director of Photography. It was filmed with an Arriflex SR2 16mm camera and a Canon 8-64mm lens.
Rapids goalkeeper Ian Joyce gave me a heads up the other day that his neighbor is Mark Abbattista, a contestant on the reality TV show, The Amazing Race.
Mark is hosting a fundraiser on Sunday at the Buffalo Rose to benefit the Outdoor Lab & Jeffco Schools. The keynote speaker is fellow Amazing Race contestant Amy Purdy, who, as the poster explains, has overcome 'amazing' difficulties to excel in her sport.
No offense to Ian or Drew, or even the Erik Weihenmayer, who has summited Mount Everest seven times, but I don't think any of their stories can match what Amy went through. If you can't make it to the fundraiser but still want to hear Amy's story, watch her speech at a TED event last year.
It's one of the most timely give-aways a Colorado Rapids partner has had.
When the Colorado Rapids host the Western Conference-leading San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, the forecast is calling for a potential of snow flurries and temperatures ranging from the mid-30's to low 40's. Enter Cricket Wireless.
The club's wireless partner will be giving away these burgundy and onyx (grey) striped scarves to the first 4,000 fans entering the stadium Saturday evening. The gates will open at 6 pm with kickoff set for 7 pm MT. Get there early, and dress warm.
On September 8, Kroenke Sports Charities hosted an equipment drive to benefit non-profit A Precious Child in honor of Aurora shooting victim Jessica Ghawi, who once interned for one of our sister properties. The response from the community was awesome, collecting over 25,000 items and $30,000 for the Jessica Redfield Ghawi Sports Journalism Scholarship. NBC national recognized the efforts in this clip below.
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Pia Sundhage coached for the U.S. WNT to two Olympic gold medals and a second-place finish at the World Cup in her five years at the helm. However, on Wednesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Pia coached her last game for the U.S. She will return to her native Sweden to head that Women's team starting in December.
Players on the team have shared their sadness in losing their coach, but also excitement and gratitude for Pia's contributions.
In the locker room hall way prior to the game, Colorado Rapids President Tim Hinchey gave Pia a crystal vase as a gift on behalf of the club. The attached card read as follows:
Pia:
For the last five years, the United States Women’s National Team that you coached has impressed and inspired us with their skill, tenacity, style of play, and dedication. It has been a joy to be a fan of your teams, and everyone here at the Colorado Rapids and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is honored to be a part of your final match at the helm of the USA Women. Thank you for all your hard work, and we wish you the very best of luck!
Sincerely,
Tim Hinchey
President, Colorado Rapids
On behalf of the Colorado Rapids and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
Last night I had a chance to not only see an Olympic gold and bronze medal in person for the first time, but to also touch one and feels its weight. Janay DeLoach, who won the bronze medal in London in the long jump, allowed me to hold her medal - and then even took a photo of me with it. In those few second I tried to envision what it must have been like to not only compete among the most elite athletes in the world, but to also have a medal hanging from your neck. It was pretty cool!
The Rapids hosted seven Colorado athletes that competed at the 2012 London Olympics on Wednesday night during the match against Portland. And while we applauded loudly as their names were announced and they waived to the crowd, it was also neat to see how appreciative they were at being recognized and honored by fans from a different sport. One Olympian even came with a Denver Bronco player. Here are some tweets from the Olympians in attendance:
With my best friends and my new jersey at the Colorado Rapids game!! instagr.am/p/PNukSBQyap/
— Missy Franklin (@FranklinMissy) September 6, 2012
Headed to the Colorado Rapids vs Portland Timbers match to be an honored Olympian for the "Colorado Heroes Night" at half time! #SoAmped
— Janay DeLoach (@JanayDeLoach) September 5, 2012
Red, white n blue-in it at the Colorado Rapids game w @franklinmissy n @janaydeloach #usaalltheway instagr.am/p/POMHZ7Ef8Z/
— Kelsey Campbell (@worldchanger55) September 6, 2012
Colorado's own 2012 BMX Olympian @zhermanator... Also dabbled in wrestling #waybackwhen? instagr.am/p/POM0oOkf8u/
— Kelsey Campbell (@worldchanger55) September 6, 2012
Had a lot of fun at the game tonight. Thanks @coloradorapids! twitter.com/zHermanator/st…
— David Herman (@zHermanator) September 6, 2012
Looking forward to the @coloradorapids game tonight. Excited to be apart of the @colorado Heroes celebration tonight. #GoRapids
— David Herman (@zHermanator) September 5, 2012
On the field for the hometown heroes ceremony at the @coloradorapids game, thanks for a fun night!
— Corey Cogdell (@CoreyCogdell) September 6, 2012
Headed to the @coloradorapids game tonight with @mitchelljunrein If you are in the stands look for me on the field during the half time show
— Corey Cogdell (@CoreyCogdell) September 6, 2012
.@olympicctrlife Got to be honored at a #Rapids game with fellow #CSOTC #Olympians @worldchanger55 & @coreycogdell twitter.com/DennisBowsher/…
— Dennis Bowsher (@DennisBowsher) September 6, 2012
...and the @coloradorapids gave me a sweet Jersey. Thanks to the staff for having us. twitter.com/DennisBowsher/…
— Dennis Bowsher (@DennisBowsher) September 6, 2012
Every few months the community relations department organizes an 'signing' day, where they collect each department's need's for autographs and set them out for the players to autograph.
The most common use for all the autographed gear is for donations, which we get a lot of, especially for functions where they are used as fundraising items.
The remainder is often used for gifts, sometimes for partners and / or sponsors, and sometimes for prizes or giveaways at various club functions.
That's Andre Akpan in the distance in the hallway right outside the locker room. He was one of the first to tackle the 300-400 items after today's practice. The rest of the guys then slowly tickled out, each individually signing each piece.
After finishing his drills at Wednesday's training, which took place inside the stadium, Drew Moor went up to the locker room. A few minutes later he walked back out and approached three fans that were watching the session from the first row. Holding a match ball under his right arm, Drew told these fans how the players had come across this autographed ball sitting in Wells Thompson's locker. Collectively, they wanted to give it to Allan.
Joan, Mark, and Allan are season ticket holders that have been to every open practice so far this season. The only sessions they have not attended are the ones on the day before home games, which are closed to the public. They have become such a staple at training that the players even know their birthdays.
So, having given Joan and Mark a jersey and ball earlier this summer, Drew today presented Allan his birthday gift on behalf of the team!
(L-R: Judo Olympic team manager Chris Skelly, Marti Malloy, Kyle Vashkulat, Kayla Harrison, Travis Stevens, Judo Olympic Coach Jimmy Pedro)
The 2012 London Summer Olympics got underway this week with men and women's soccer. The 'official' Opening Ceremonies take place on Friday.
The athletes have been preparing for years, and we recently received word the the U.S. Judo team has been preparing for Gold, in Burgundy.
Colorado Rapids chiropracter Dr. Joseph Arvay and Maximize Living are also the chiropractors of the judo team (as well as many other teams). Dr. Avay shared these photos of the judo team donning our gear while they prepared for the Games in Colorado Springs.
Kayla Harrison (above left) is currently among the top five in the world at the 78-kilo division and consider a medal contender when she begins her first Olympics on August 2. Travis Stevens (above right), also ranked in the top 10, begins his quest on July 31 in the 81 kg division. Marti Malloy will compete at the 57 kg and Kyle Vashkula at 100 kg. The other team member not pictured is Nick Delpopolo, who will challenge at 73 kg.
From everyone at the Colorado Rapids, Good Luck in London!
(Below: Skelly, Dr. Arvay, Pedro)
They may have started off quietly, but the first function of the newly formed Sidekicks was a huge success.
The Sidekicks, launched last week by Brian Mullen's wife, Kersten, brings together the significant others of the Rapids players and coaching staff to provide unique opportunities to fans, as well as support the community through fundraising efforts.
To get started, the Sidekicks on Saturday gave 100 fans an opportunity to come to field level following the 3-0 win over Portland for a special autograph session. It should be noted that the players are also 100 % behind these efforts, with all of them coming out to meet the winning guests.
Keep ears and eyes open at future matches for other special opportunities. For the Portland game, the Sidekicks made in-game announcements explaining to fans how to get the autograph alley wristbands.