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"The nation’s brewers have consistently demonstrated a commitment to responsible alcohol consumption and the efforts of the TEAM Coalition in stadiums across the country."
--- Jeff Becker, President, Beer Institute
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For Immediate Release |
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Contact: Jill Pepper, TEAM Coalition 703-647-7431 jill@teamcoalition.org
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RENTON, WA. (3/16/09) -- The Seattle Sounders FC, Anheuser-Busch, and TEAM Coalition (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management) are partnering to educate fans about the importance of using a designated driver, buckling up and demonstrating positive fan behavior. The message is simple: "Be a Good Sport, Always Have A Designated Driver." Fans must first make the Responsibility Has Its Rewards (RHIR) pledge.
- Always have a designated driver
- Never drive drunk
- Always buckle up every trip every time
Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the filming at the team's home opener on Thursday, March 19 versus the New York Red Bulls at Qwest Field. The filming will take place at the SW Guest Services booth next to the Good Sport sign up booth beginning at 4:30 pm PDT.
"Giving fans the opportunity to be the voice of the Responsibility Has Its Rewards campaign personalizes the 'Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk' message, said Jill Pepper, executive director of TEAM Coalition. "Teamwork is exactly what this campaign is all about, and through this program the Seattle Sounders FC and Anheuser-Busch are demonstrating that everyone - including the fans - plays an important role in alcohol management."
The Public Service Announcements produced from the taping will air throughout the season on the Qwst Field video board and on local broadcast TV. Fans from across MLS who pledge and demonstrate responsible behavior have a chance to be selected as the Soundres Designated Driver for the Season and may win tickets to MLS Cup® 2009 at Qwest Field on November 22, 2009 if the Sounders make it to the championship game or a trip to the 2010 MLS All-Star Game®.
In addition, the video clips will be e-mailed to participants so their moment of fame can be shared with family and friends.
"Tying 'Responsibility Has Its Rewards' to our season-long 'Good Sport' program makes everyone a winner," said Carol Clark, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "We're pleased to work with TEAM, the Seattle Sounders FC and MLS to recognize fans who look out for each other and make a designated driver part of their game plan. When it comes to preventing drunk driving, we're all part of the team."
The designated-driver program is one of several components of the alcohol management plan at Qwest Field. In addition, alcohol management training for the Qwest Field employees gives them the skills to observe fan behavior and serve alcohol beverages in compliance with local laws and in a manner designed to encourage responsible consumption. Alcohol service policies are enforced to ensure only fans of legal drinking age are served alcohol beverages. These combined efforts represent an alcohol management plan in which the fans, Qwest Field employees, corporate sponsors and team representatives all are working toward common goals - promoting responsible alcohol consumption, positive fan behavior and traffic safety.
"The Seattle Sounders FC take the issue of alcohol management seriously and we are happy to join with Anheuser-Busch and TEAM Coalition to help spread the word about the Good Sport program and the message 'fans don't let fans drive drunk,'" said Susan Darrington, vice president Facility Operations & Services at Qwest Field.
ABOUT TEAM Coalition
The designated-driver program is a key component of the responsibility initiatives that TEAM Coalition -- 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 -- helps coordinate with professional sports leages including Major League Soccer (MLS), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL).
TEAM's members and supporters include Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, ARAMARK, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Beer Institute, Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, Contemporary Services Corporation, International Association of Assembly Managers, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Visit www.teamcoalition.org for more details.
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