San Jose’s 9th Man Blog

First I would like to congratulate the Philadelphia Soul on winning their first ArenaBowl title in their brief franchise history.  This is to set the first chamionship title in the city of Philadelphia since 1984 when the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars beat the Arizona Wranglers in Tampa Stadium for the title.

Now on to the real reason for this particular blog entry.  I would like to thank Aaron Stroope, the manager at Hooters in Campbell in welcoming San Jose’s 9th Man for the second annual ArenaBowl Viewing Party.  I spoke with him earlier today and he stated that there was not a single seat left in the restaurant and that the phrase “MAKE SOME NOISE” did come true.   Also for all of the staff of Hooters who worked hard serving members of 9th Man during the game.  We at San Jose’s 9th Man are very appreciative of your hospitality and great service, and look forward to having our 9th Man Road Game Viewing Parties there for the 2009 season.

Now during the ArenaBowl XXII I was not able to make the party at Hooters, since I decided late to fly out to the game in person.  However, there were two very dedicated and great people who ran the event for me while I was out of town.  These two people are Karin McClay, who is now PR/Marketing for San Jose’s 9th Man and Ashton “Big Cat” Van Tuyl.  I would truly like to thank both of you for organizing and running the day’s events.  I am truly grateful for your help.

I hope to have the pictures and videos from the ArenaBowl Viewing Party, as well as the pictures from the ArenaBowl in New Orleans up in the pics gallery and on 9th Man TV soon.  In the meantime, I have updated 9th Man TV with the video footage from our participation in the Rose, White & Blue 4th of July Parade.  I have also updated the pics gallery through the season ticket holder bar-b-que.

Thanks everyone of you on coming out to Hooters and showing your true love of both the Arena Football League and our beloved San Jose SaberCats.  Keep an eye out on the newly formed events calendar for any off-season events and get togethers.

Eric Thurow
President

I would like to personally thank everyone for showing up at Henry’s Hi-Life for the last regular season viewing party for 2008.  Thanks also is needed for Richie and his entire staff at Henry’s Hi-Life.  Your hospitality along with joining in on the festivities was greatly welcomed and appreciated.

Everyone who showed up to the viewing party walked away with at least a 2 week membership trial to Bally Total Fitness.  Some other winers were:

1. Bally Fitness Bag (including visor, shirt, & towel) - Winners were Karin McClay from San Jose and Mike Bregante of San Mateo.
2. 3 Month Membership to Bally Total Fitness - Winners were Brian McClay from San Jose and Steve Aquino from San Jose.
3. 9th Man Fan Club Honoree for 2008 - Keith Tokar from San Jose.

Thanks also has to go to Bally Total Fitness for sponsoring San Jose’s 9th Man again this year.  Keep posted to the 9th Man web site for any possible post season viewing parties and as well as any off season activities.

Now announcing the 2008 9th Man Player of the Year is: K #11 A.J. Haglund with 117 votes (46.6% of the votes).

Now announcing the 2008 9th Man Kitten of the Year is: Christi Pereira with 743 votes (39.2% of the votes).

Thanks You SaberCats Fans (9th Man)

Eric Thurow
President
San Jose’s 9th Man

David Richardson suffered an open wound (compund) fracture to his ankle Saturday night against San Jose. David underwent a successful surgery on Sunday in San Jose. He is expected to return to Los Angeles in a couple days.  Please submit your best wishes here and I will make sure the L.A. Avengers forwards it to David.

It’s is now complete.  I have posted the 2008 9th Man Player of the Year Nominees to go along with the 2008 Kitten of the Year Nominees and voting for both is NOW open.  Although voting has been taking place for about a week and a half for the Kitten of the Year, it’s now time for you to also express your opinions by voting for your favorite palyer. 

The winner to both contests will be announced at the first annual 9th Man Awards on Satuday, May 31 inside of Britannia Arms - Almaden.  Good luck to all of the nominees for both the Kitten and Player of the Year.

I have been finally able to begin updating the photo gallery.  I have updated the gallery with pictures from week 4 action hosting the Dallas Desperados.  The pictures from the game hosting the Philadelphia Soul will be up in the next two or three days.

The well known branding of Fox Sports Net here in the Bay Area is making a change.  On Monday, March 31, FSN Bay Area is changing to CSN Bay Area.  CSN Bay Area is also known as Comcast Sports Net Bay Area.  Only real change will be of programming, imaging and the new red, white & blue logo.

Comcast SportsNet, the home for the San Francisco Giants, Oakland A’s, Golden State Warriors, San Jose Sharks, San Jose SaberCats, and San Jose Earthquakes, will feature a bold new look matched by a new dedication to give Bay Area fans the most entertaining and comprehensive local sports coverage.

 ”Authentic Bay Area Sports” is now on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area.

I want to thank for all the 9th Man members who came out to last night’s kick off viewing party.  Now unfortunately we couldn’t celbrate it with a victory over Chicago, but I think it was a successful start to the viewing parties for the 2008 season.  I would like to also thank the members of the SaberKittens for coming down and joining in on the festivities.

Up next, Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 4PM.  I know that this is a early game start for us here in San Jose, but if you can make it over to the Brit on Almaden Expwy it would be greatly appreciative.  Otherwise save those vocal cords for the 2008 home opener against our arch rivals, Arizona Rattlers adn get ready to MAKE SOME NOISE!!

Next 9th Man Viewing Party:
Monday, March 10, 2008 @ 3:30PM
Venue is Britannia Arms - Almaden
Game Broadcasted on FSN Bay Area HD

I have just added a new feature to the web site.  It is a trip planner and it’s located under the “Visiting Fans” section of the web site.  The purpose of the San Jose’s 9th Man Trip Planner is to make the travel accommodations easier for any visitng fans.  Oh yeah, fans who also reside here in the Bay Area can also use it for their day-to-day traveling.  The trip planner is powered by Google Transit and gives you a schedule, route map, approximate trave time, and cost comparison to taking your own vehicle courtesy of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.  Take the trip planner for a spin today and see how traveling throughout the Santa Clara Valley can be a lot easier.

I have closed the first two surveys for 2008.  Let me tell you it was a close race throughout the entire time.  The final results for the 9th Man Viewing Party host will be posted once I have confirmed with the venue.

For the 9th Man Road Trip, the winning city that gets to see a sea of SaberCat fans arrive is Phoenix.  That’s right the 9th Man has spoken in a very close race that the 9th Man Raod Trip for 2008 will be to the Arizona Rattlers game in Phoenix on Friday, May 9th.  Information on the travel arrangements will be made and posted up here on the 9th Man web site as well as e-mailed through the 9th Man E-News.  So if you haven’t subscribed to the 9th Man E-News, click the above link “Join the 9th Man” and submit your information.

Now if you have plans on going down to L.A. for that game, we encoourage you to represent in class and show So-Cal how a champion represents their team.  For the trip to Arizona, you can also make your own arrangements if you would prefer.  I am going to work with the Rattlers organization on getting group rates and seats.

Thanks for everyone who voted.  Final results for the 9th Man Road Trip were tallied as:

Arizona Rattlers - Phoenix, AZ - U.S. Airways Center  =  49.2%
Los Angeles Avengers - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center  =  45.8%
Utah Blaze - Salt Lake City, UT - Energy Solutions Arena  =  5.1%

Here on the official web site, sanjoses9thman.net, people have been voting for where they would like to have this upcoming season’s 9th Man Viewing Parties. A 9th Man Viewing Party is where the fans of the defending ArenaBowl XXI Champion San Jose SaberCats come together to watch their team play while they’re on the road. Last season, Vito’s Cafe in San Jose hosted the viewing parties during the regular season and Britannia Arms in the Almaden District of San Jose hosted the ArenaBowl Viewing Party.For this season, I have left the choice up to you the fans and members of the 9th Man. Visit sanjoses9thman.net and click on the special Fan Zone image to go to the 2008 Survey. Here you can vote for two current surveys; 1) Where to have this season’s 9th Man Viewing Parties, and 2) Where to have this season’s 9th Man Road Game Trip.There are only two weeks left for voting, so go over and vote for your choice. You can vote once per every 24 hours.