What can Commanders fans expect at training camp this year? Well, team VP of Guest Experience Joey Colby-Begovich joined BMitch & Finlay a few weeks back to foreshadow some of the fan experience improvements at Commanders Park for camp, and on Friday, he joined the guys in-person in Ashburn to spill the beans on what’s to come for Saturday’s “Back Together Saturday” Day celebration.
Early start times (like 7:30, when the shuttles start) and cooling stations will still be effect, especially for the poor mascot.
“Everything we’ve had with the seating and pomp and circumstances, but tomorrow, we’re blowing it out with the Command Force and drumline performing, along with our junior Force dance team,” JCB said. “Major Tuddy will be walking around – and we have a plan for him because it will be hot – but we’ll have him and some Washington legends walking around, so it’ll be great.”
Joey advises that there is no parking on site without a pass, so park at Dulles Town Center, where 17 shuttle busses will be running back and forth – but get there early, because it’s going to be packed, as more than 10,000 tickets have gone out for the free event.
“People came late today on purpose because it was hot – they didn’t want to watch practice, they wanted autographs, so remember that,” JCB said.
Back Together Weekend is an NFL-wide initiative where all 32 teams will be celebrating either Saturday or Sunday, with NFL Weekend on site, so you can watch if you can’t get to Ashburn.
And if you are, there will be new barriers around the end zone of one practice field, which can hold 3,500 fans in addition to the 2,000 or so the new bleachers can hold – and to JP, it might be a better spot, because that’s where the offensive skill players warm up (while you stay cool from the shade).
Oh, yeah, and there’s a team store where you can get a ton of merch – just maybe make sure BMitch’s hand cramp from signing is gone if you ask him to sign it – and there will be two cooling tents right there as well.
More improvements to ones that have already drawn great fan feedback over the first few days of camp.
“Feedback is phenomenal. People are really jazzed about all the structures we’ve built over the last three weeks,” JCB said. “The people who built our stands and skyboxes specialize in building these for golf courses, but all of this is because of fan feedback. We listened to them and took their feedback, and this is what we came up with.”
Joey also expects a lot of players to stick around and sign autographs, which they’re not required to do but likely will love to do, and later this summer, there will be a Military Appreciation event on August 8 and 9 for the men and women who serve and have served.
Something for everyone, and just further proof that the fan-friendly atmosphere is back around the team.
“Even I was emotional on our first fan day,” JCB said. “It was so much work for a fan base that deserves all of this and more, and to see people enjoying themselves and the team in a way I had hoped they had since I’ve been here, it warmed my heart. And, we are planning some things for Week 1 at FedEx Field that we hope will continue to tap at those heart strings - be in your seat 20 minutes before the game starts that day, because we are planning something we think will resonate with a fan base that has waited a long time to feel like they are a part of this."
Follow BMitch & Finlay on Twitter: @BMitchliveNBCS, @JPFinlayNBCS, and @BMitchandFinlay
Keep up with 106.7 The Fan via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
