CHICAGO, IL (03/3/2014) – The Chicago Fire were recognized at a luncheon on Monday for winning the You Hold The Key Never Drive Drunk Designated Driver Challenge with the New York Red Bulls. Representatives from the Chicago Fire and TEAM Coalition gathered for the celebration.The You Hold The Key Never Drive Drunk Designated Driver Challenge tracked the number of fans who pledged to be designated drivers at all the 2013 regular season home games for both teams. Each fan who pledged to be a designated driver at Toyota Park earned the Fire three points in the challenge. The Fire outscored the Red Bulls 8,496 points to 6,604 points. Click here to see the final standings of the You Hold The Key Never Drive Drunk Designated Driver Challenge.
 The Fire, Toyota Park and Sodexo have been working together successfully to offer fans the You Hold the Key Never Drive Drunk designated driver program for many seasons. In 2013 the Overall, the Chicago Fire finished the season in fourth place in comparison to the rest of the MLS clubs.“Teamwork is exactly what this organization is all about,” said Jill Pepper, executive director of TEAM Coalition. “Through the You Hold The Key Never Drive Drunk Designated Driver Challenge, we are demonstrating that when everyone – including the fans – takes responsibility, everyone wins.”
The designated driver program is just one component of the fan behavior initiatives offered by the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. Other components include: A Fan Code of Conduct posted in and around Toyota Park, text messaging that empowers fans to report disruptive behavior to security, alcohol service policies including ID checks for fans who look 30 years of age or younger, no more than two alcoholic beverages per person per transaction and alcohol cut-off at the end of the halftime.
(left to right) Chloe Bender, Account Executive, Partnership Marketing for Chicago Fire; Erin Kwiatkowski,Operations Specialist for Chicago Fire ; Matt Hoy, Manager, Corporate Sales for Chicago Fire.About TEAM Coalition
TEAM Coalition is an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, distillers, broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts, and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. TEAM’s members and supporters include Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, ARAMARK, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Ovations Food Services, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, Brown-Forman, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, Contemporary Services Corporation, Elite, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. www.TEAMCoalition.org. |
