FC Cincinnati and FC Cincinnati Foundation hosted Served by the Pros, presented by First Financial on June 25 at TQL Stadium, with an all-time high of 700 attendees. Fans participated in different fun events around TQL Stadium to raise money for the FC Cincinnati Foundations initiative to drive access to education through soccer in the Cincinnati area.
The event gave FCC supporters the chance to interact with some of their favorite FC Cincinnati players while raising money to support the foundations mission.
“We should raise close to $400,000 to support our programs, which are really focused on the education space and, of course, driving access to soccer,” said Kate Solomon, Chief Youth and Community Officer and Executive Director of FC Cincinnati Foundation. “But additionally, this is just a really cool night for fans to connect with our players.”
While connecting with fans has always been a highlight of the event for the players, helping raise money for children in the Cincinnati area is what gives the night its greatest purpose.
“Yes, it's a great opportunity to meet with the people. It's my third (event) this year, and I always enjoy that every year,” FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha said. “I'm glad that we have these types of events, and that we raise money, especially for kids, and do some good stuff to help people. It's a good opportunity.”
Around TQL Stadium, there were multiple different stations that let fans connect with some of their favorite players. These events were scattered around the concourses at TQL Stadium, with opportunities to be ‘Served by the Pros’. Nick Hagglund offered freshly brewed espresso while Pavel Bucha served cold drinks as a bartender, just to name a few.
Besides getting served food and drinks, fans could also challenge some of the players in some friendly competitions. You could take on the Chirila brothers in corn hole, give your best throw and dunk Evan Louro or even go head-to-head with Roman Celentano at trivia.
“We have players here with us. Our coaching staff is here with us, and they're doing all sorts of different things,” said Solomon. “We have players serving food and serving drinks. They're behind the bar. We have game show battle room situations going on. Some soccer activities on the field, so lots of different ways for fans to connect with our players.”
Fans were also given opportunities to replicate the classic gameday tradition and pull the sword from the stone at the Coors Light Bar, as well as take photo-ops at midfield.
“I think everything's been first class, honestly, meeting the players, shaking their hands taking pictures everybody's been super friendly. The players could not have been more friendly.” Said one attendee. “It’s awesome, it’s a great fundraiser, and it's nice because it's well attended, it's not so crowded, and there's a lot of pretty big fans, so I think it's a good group to be among for sure.”
At the Pitch View Club, a silent auction allowed fans to bid on items to raise money for FC Cincinnati Foundation. Some of the items included FC Cincinnati signature shoes, multiple framed autographed jerseys and even a 31-inch World Cup soccer ball.
To cap off the night, a drone show above TQL Stadium served as a proper send-off to all fans, players and event organizers who made the event possible.
After the event concluded, the USMNT’s World Cup match against Turkey played on all the TV’s, with FC Cincinnati’s own Miles Robinson earning the start for the red, white and blue.
With the help of Served by the Pros, not only has the community gotten closer with the players, but FC Cincinnati and FC Cincinnati Foundation has been given the green light to extend their growth in the Cincinnati area and offer education through soccer to hundreds more children.
About FC Cincinnati Foundation
FC Cincinnati is committed to leaving a legacy, creating something bigger than itself, and being the embodiment of a rising Cincinnati. Through their own programs and initiatives, and the support of key partners, they aim to improve the lives of children through the game of soccer and will continue to do its part to create an inclusive community.
FC Cincinnati Foundation’s mission is accomplished primarily through five key programs: Club Ambassadorship through In-School and Out-of-School Programming, Mini Pitch Soccer Builds, West End Pride and Learning Is Cool. These programs help promote and encourage strong academic performance, and serve as catalysts to reinforce character values and improved health for children in the Greater Cincinnati region. The Foundation also serves as FC Cincinnati’s philanthropic arm, making donations and investments to Cincinnati-area organizations that have similar goals and ambitions for the area’s youth.
For more information, visit https://www.fccincinnati.com/community/
