PSP talks to two of Bearfight Brigade’s founders, Jeremy Sharpe and Justin Lee. The name may come from a drinking game but they’re as serious about creating unity among supporters and engaging in charitable efforts as they are about having a good time.
PSP photographer Earl Gardner photo essay of the Miles4MJ charity tailgate before the Philadelphia Union took on Portland Timbers last Saturday. The Union may not have won, but the Union family did.
Bark Tees is a local company that specializes in unofficial Philly sports team t-shirts. Founder Ben Lee talks to the PSP about his love of Philly sports, how Bark Tees got started, the help the Sons of Ben have given the company, and more.
Mike Quarino, Vice President of Ticket Sales and Fan Relations for the Union, talks about what it takes to become an officially recognized supporters group; namely, all of the hard work and less glamorous things that the Sons of Ben do so well like being truly organized. He also says the club is “all for re-classing more sections into a ‘standing section'” if the demand is there.
On the other side of PPL Park from the River End is the Bridge Crew, located in an area filled with families and youth soccer clubs. This means different standards of conduct prevail than you might find in more boisterous areas of the park and informs a mission statement that emphasizes positive, sportsman-like behavior. But that doesn’t mean they love the Union any less.
Our series on the other supporters groups continues with an interview with Jeffrey Mitchell and Kenny Hanson of the IllegitimateS.