Why I’m An Ultra, Part II…

March 8th, 2011

My Ultras Story:

I became a 1906 Ultra through serendipity, by way of a series of unplanned events, "accidents."

The first accident was that I played soccer in high school instead of American football. I wanted to play football, and was built for linebacker. I would have been a good one; I was larger, stronger, faster, and more intense than any of my classmates and I idolized Jack Lambert (the Ray Lewis of his day). But my parents wouldn’t allow me because they considered it too dangerous. So, I played soccer, the other fall sport offering. I was lousy — gangly and uncoordinated — and had the misfortune of playing on a team talented enough to challenge for the state championship. I warmed the bench and developed an acute appreciation for the skill sets of my teammates who could do things I couldn’t (like keep the ball aloft for more than a single kick). I was innoculated against anti-soccer bias.

The next accident was that following law school I eventually took a job in San Jose, a town that would gain an MLS franchise. If I had stayed in my hometown of Buffalo or my college town of St. Louis, I might never have attended a MLS match. But I went to Spartan to watch the Clash and Quakes, a couple times a year at first and gradually more often as I came to recognize the players and appreciate the atmosphere. I found that Quakes games were every bit as fun as NFL matches at a fraction the cost. And one of the best parts was the continuous back-beat emanating from the Casbah; every game, win or lose, was a celebration. I didn’t know any of the chants. From my Eastside centerline seats I thought "ole ole" was "away away," and I found myself singing along to the false chorus.

Then, "accidently," if you can call it that, I was stuck in Milan following 9/11. So, I scalped tickets to an Inter game — unknowingly, in the curva. I got to see a European ultras group up close and admire a capo maestro in action. My fascination with "supporters groups" was heightened. And when a small group of Ultras started showing up in the south endzone of Spartan I recognized that they weren’t merely a handful of hooligans but the embryonic makings of something akin to what I had seen in Italy.

ultras

The next accident was induced by my withdrawal pangs from no soccer after the Quakes’ epic 2003 campaign. In March 2004 I attended my first ever Club Quake meeting, the one at which CQ president Colin McCarthy asked for a group of fans to work on saving the team. Unable as a neighborhood activist to resist a grass-roots cause, I became the first volunteer. SSV has consumed my life for the ensuing seven years.

When in summer 2007, it became clear that the Quakes would return, I began to consider what should be done, if possible, to ensure the club-like feel the fans had enjoyed about the previous incarnation. As a result, I resolved together with the SSV board to form its community foundation and, acting alone, to offer my personal and financial support to help rebirth the supporters groups.

The final accident is that I offered the exact same support to both the Casbah and to the new 1906 Ultras (I was there at our conception in the stands at a Victory game at Kezar Stadium). I ordered t-shirts and scarves (the ones from Poland with the tell-tale purplish blue) in equal quantities for, and became a dues-paying and season-ticket purchasing member of, both groups. They were each, in a sense, my children. I in no way anticipated that I would become (and perhaps I’m still not truly accepted as) an Ultra. Yet, the Ultras welcomed me, and their leadership, Dan, sought my counsel — even if he regularly rejected it. And in 2008, the most magical pro sports season I’ve ever followed, the Ultras had the most fun both before and during the games and on the road in L.A., where the season began. I became hooked.
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What a long strange trip it’s been.

Objection! Lawyering!

Why I’m an Ultra…

March 7th, 2011

In a group, many individuals may share common experiences, mentalities, heritage, culture, views on politics, sport, entertainment…you name it.  However, we all know that no matter how much in common one has with another, the experiences we have in life are unique to ourselves and ourselves only.  I came up with the idea of seeing exactly what attracted our brothers and sisters to the 1906 Ultras, why they’ve stayed, and why we have become a second family.  Being in a supporter’s group of a soccer club in the United States is a pretty unique thing…it’s not like we have thousands of teenagers looking up to these groups (whether they be Ultras, Torcidas, Casuals, Barras, etc.) with as much, if not more, admiration than the players on the pitch.  So I’m starting off this little series with my experience leading up to being a dedicated 1906 Ultra…(caution: long read by a Cal State student, so expect mistakes because I no write good)

Soccer is, like so many around the world, a religion in my family.  All of the men in my family have played at some level in their lives, many of the women also played and get just as crazy as the men, and we would watch games any second that we could.  Now I do admit…I was a little bitchy Eurosnob as a child (sorry for linking to a UD entry written by a fucking dynaho, but I guess not all of them are incestly retarded).  I knew about the MLS and my local Clash/Earthquakes, especially since my best friend’s family were LOOOONG time season ticket holders.  But I didn’t care: I was able to watch for free (well so I thought as a kid) Barcelona, AC Milan, Brasil, Portugal, England, etc. play on TV whenever the hell I wanted.  Now it’s not to say that I was Eurosnobbish enough to be a full-on-hater of the league, but I didn’t pay it much attention.

Eventually my boy got me out to a few games in 2001 and they were a blast.  Sitting just to the right of the Casbah, I was able to chant whenever I wanted and had some good seats to watch the Boys in Blue go on to win the MLS Cup against the Scum-of-the-South.  For the next 4 seasons, I attended close to 90% of Quakes home games and went down to a couple games against the Scum in Hell.  Yes, I was a Quakes fan.  No, I was not a supporter (and yes, there is a difference). It was actually once the team was snagged away from us to the god forsaken city of _ that I really became connected to the team.

Definitely a case of “you don’t know what you have until its gone” and luckily it wasn’t exactly a case of “too little too late.”  Through those 3 long soccer-less years, I looked up news on the Earthquakes as often as I could, hoping for even the smallest glimmer of hope that the team would return.  Once that 2008 season came, I went nuts.  I followed the same routine as before: “tailgating” with my friends, going into the game sitting just to the corner of the Casbah.  Then I realized…they’re not as big as before, not as loud as before, and are all a lot older-looking than before.  I would get up and scream at something in the match, and quickly be told to “shut up!” or “quiet down!” by those around me…are you serious?  I didn’t know what to do with myself, I hated being told what to do at the match, especially when everyone around me was acting like it was a damn tennis match.  I had seen flags waving at the far end of the stadium in section 101 before but thought nothing of it…until…

The Honduras Olympic friendly game on July 15, 2008.  Sitting on top of section 109 with my pops, I hear some singing going on coming up the stairs: ”WE ARE THE ULTRAS! SAN JOSE! AND WE PISS ON GALAXY! OH OH!…” and right in front of the pack was my cousin waving a flag, singing his heart out.  BOOM.  I knew where I was going to go.  For the next several weeks I couldn’t stop thinking of what I saw, the enthusiasm, the fun.  I was out of town for the next few home games so when the Revolution came to town, I jumped at the opportunity to get in the section.  The game was a thrilling 4-0 win that started the incredible run Darren Huckerby & co. made.  The stands were going nuts and I had never experienced something like this at a sporting event EVER.  I instantly fell in love with the section and the group.  So much so that for the next home game (only my 2nd with the gorup) I bailed out of a wedding in Hollister early and burned rubber to make it to the game in time (side note: Was never told it was suit night, so I changed out of my suit into my Quakes shit, only to see everyone dressed in suits…ugh)

The rest as they say history.  Since then I have missed 2-3 home games (damn vacations), been to San Luis Obispo, LA thrice, Seattle twice, New York (or should I say The Asshole Of America, NJ), and Colorado to watch my beloved Quakes with my fellow Ultra brethren.  I have attended Tifo parties and viewing parties regularly.  I constantly look up songs that we can use for songs, come up with lyrics, drum to keep our pace, scream my head off, sing my lungs out.  There is no sporting experience like soccer, and there is no soccer experience like being with the 1906 Ultras.  We are not a supporters group…we are a family.

Oh, yeah…FUCK LA

Fetus Drummer Boy

Season Tickets and 2011 Membership

February 4th, 2011

We have eliminated membership dues for the 2011 season.

To become a member all you need to do is purchase a season ticket and participate in group activities.

Quakes season tickets in the Ultras section for only $250! First home game will be on March 19th, so don’t wait. Call Jen Mizono at 408-556 7716 and start buying your season tickets in our section. Payment plans are available.

Once purchased, please confirm membership by emailing membership@1906Ultras.com or posting in the appropriate thread on our forums.

See everyone at the games.

Tailgating Details for 4/17 v NER, and more

April 16th, 2010

Ultras tailgate is in Lot 4, right in front of the Front Office's entrance

When Saturday Comes…the Ultras come at to play.  It’s that time of the week again boys (and girls)!  This Saturday (today) our Boys in Blue will take on the New England Revolution , hoping to get some momentum after a big road win last week against Chicago.  Make sure you come by the Ultras tailgate in Lot 4 prior to the game.  We will be meeting at 3pm and will walk into the stadium at 6pm SHARP.  The chefs ask for people to chip in a couple bucks to help reimburse for the food, so if you could please bring some cash.  If anyone would like to join the group, feel free to bring in your membership dues and introduce yourself to the group.  This will also be the last day to pay for your tickets for the May 22nd game in Seattle!

And the game?  Should be an interesting game to watch, with the Quakes lineup possibly being depleted with some 120-minute performances in the  midweek loss against RSL, an injury delpeted Revolution side, and with Ike Opara and fellow Wake Forest alum Zack Schilawski being marked up against eachother.   I am not one to divulge into the tactics of the game (I dont want to bore you) and well, I dont know how this game will turn up.  New England has injuries, we have tired bodies, but both teams have some league momentum going onto to the pitch (the Quakes with a hard fought game under their belt as well).  I see a draw and a hard fought game for sure.

To say a quick word about our recent protest chants about John Doyle…We as customers of the San Jose Earthquakes have the right to voice our opinion, whether negative or positive, about the club.  We would just like to clarify some things that some fans have been confused about…1) the chants for ex players were NOT meant to be a disrespect to our current crop of players.  We were behind the boys on the pitch on Wednesday for 120 minutes and for every PK.  These chants were to show JD some examples of what we, and other fans, have not been happy with.  And 2) John Doyle was a great defender for our club a decade ago.  The chants were only about his tenure as the Quakes GM, which has been on a slippery slope from 2008 to now.  He is still a respected ex player, but unfortunately being a great player doesn’t always translate to being a good manager.

Tailgating Details for 3/27 v RSL

March 22nd, 2010
Lot 4 is the Quakes Front Office

Lot 4 is the Quakes Front Office

first off, welcome to the official 2010 MLS season featuring the Boys in Blue, the San Jose Earthquakes.  Thanks for Joe Cannon, Chris Leitch, and all others involved we have a season to look forward to.

now onto some other details about this week’s upcoming match against reigning MLS Champions Real Salt Lake:

we will be tailgating in Lot 4 at the Quakes Front Office (in the front) at 3pm and will be leaving promptly to the stadium around 5.  Please bring $5 and/or drinks (alcoholic and/or nonalcoholic for the U21 members and the SSV At Risk Teens).  And don’t worry for those 5 year olds who make $5 a year, you will eat for free.

Those who have paid for their memberships but have not yet recieve their scarves will be able to do so at the tailgate.  Those interested in joining the 1906 Ultras are also highly encouraged to mingle with the group during pregame (really, we’re not that scary).  We are all family and embrace anyone who is here to cheer on for our Boys in Blue with heart and pride.

Tickets for the game are available for $10.  If you have any other questions, please email admin@1906ultras.com.  Sing it loud and sing it proud boys…..

HERES TO OUR BOOOOOOOYS
OURS BOYS IN BLUUUUE