| SAN DIEGO, Ca. (Feb. 11, 2011) – The San Diego Chargers were recognized at a luncheon today for winning the inaugural Designated Driver Challenge with the Denver Broncos. Representatives from the Chargers, Centerplate, California Highway Patrol, Anheuser-Busch and TEAM Coalition gathered for the celebration.The Designated Driver Challenge tracked the number of fans who pledged to be designated drivers at the Chargers final four home games of the 2010 regular season. Each fan who pledged to be a designated driver at Qualcomm Stadium earned the Chargers six points in the challenge. Additionally, fans who “liked” the Chargers Facebook page for the Challenge earned the team an extra point. The Chargers outscored the Broncos with 28,987 points as compared to 19,059. 4,612 Chargers fans pledged to be designated drivers at Qualcomm Stadium during the Challenge, and 1,315 fans “liked” the Facebook page for the Challenge.
(left to right) California Highway Patrol officers, Centerplate representatives, San Diego Chargers and representatives of the local Budweiser distributor proudly display the Designated Driver Challenge trophy. Jill Pepper from TEAM Coalition and Brooke Montgomery, regional director of corporate social responsibility for Budweiser, are holding the trophy.
The San Diego Chargers, Qualcomm Stadium, Centerplate, Anheuser-Busch and California Highway Patrol have been working together successfully for the designated-driver program, finishing the last four seasons in the top five in the NFL for the most fans participating in the program. “We’re proud of our designated-driver program, but we’re most proud of the fans who are a part of it and participate,” said Chargers Executive Vice President A.G. Spanos. “We have great fans in San Diego who help us create a safe, family-friendly experience at Qualcomm stadium.”
“We commend the Chargers and all the designated-driver program partners at Qualcomm Stadium for creating a unique incentive to bring the Chargers and their fans together to make the responsible decision to designate a driver,” said California Highway Patrol, Border Division, Chief Jim Abele.
“We’re pleased to work with the Chargers, 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 Kathy Casso, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Anheuser-Busch. “When it comes to preventing drunk driving, we’re all part of the team.”
“As a part of our commitment to creating safe and enjoyable fan experiences, Centerplate takes responsible alcohol management very seriously,” said Scott Marshall, senior vice president Sports West for Centerplate. “We’re proud to be part of the designated-driver program at Qualcomm Stadium and thrilled to be part of the winning team in the inaugural Designated Driver Challenge. The designated-driver program empowers fans to make smarter, safer choices both inside and outside the Stadium.”
 “Teamwork is exactly what this organization is all about,” said Jill Pepper, executive director of TEAM Coalition. “Through the 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 San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Other components include:
- A Fan Code of Conduct posted in and around Qualcomm Stadium
- Text messaging (text “SECURITY” to 59629) empowers fans to report disruptive behavior to security
- Certification of more than 1,000 employees across every organization operating in Qualcomm Stadium in effective alcohol management training
- Alcohol service policies including ID checks for all fans, no more than two alcoholic beverages per person per transaction in the first half and only one alcoholic beverage per person in the third quarter, no alcohol service in the seating area (fans must go to the concession stands on the concourse to purchase alcohol) and alcohol cut-off at the end of the third quarter
About TEAM Coalition
TEAM Coalition is an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers, the beer industry, 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 the National Football League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, ARAMARK, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Ovations Food Services, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, Contemporary Services Corporation, Elite Show Services, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. www.teamcoalition.org. |
