The Pittsburgh Pirates were recognized on February 22, 2016 for winning the 2015 Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Challenge against the Philadelphia Phillies. Representatives from the Pirates, Fuhrer Eagle Sales, Aramark and TEAM Coalition gathered for the celebration.
The Budweiser Good Sport Designated Driver Challenge tracked the number of fans who pledged to be designated drivers at all 2015 regular season home games for both Clubs. Each fan who pledged to be a designated driver at PNC Park earned the Pirates 1 point in the challenge. The Pirates finished with 16,785 designated drivers as compared to 7,815 for the Phillies.
The Pirates, Aramark, Fuhrer Eagle Sales and Anheuser-Busch have been working together successfully for the Budweiser Good Sport designated driver program, finishing the 2015 MLB season with an increase of over 500 designated drivers from the previous season.
“We’re pleased to work with the Pirates, TEAM and the other program partners to recognize fans who look out for each other and make a designated driver part of their game plan,” said Bill Bradley, Vice President, Community Affairs for Anheuser-Busch. “When it comes to preventing drunk driving, we’re all part of the team.”
“Teamwork is exactly what this organization is all about,” said Jill Pepper, Executive Director, TEAM Coalition. “Through the Designated Driver Challenge, we are demonstrating that when everyone – including the fans – takes responsibility, everyone wins.”
The Budweiser Good Sport designated driver program is just one component of the fan behavior initiatives offered by the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Other components include:
- A Guest Code of Conduct posted in and around PNC Park
- Certification of more than 90% of all employees in effective alcohol management training
- 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 seventh inning
