What is a Falcon Fan-atic?

By Joe Cooper

What is a Falcon Fan-atic?  The simple answer is that it is a fan club.  If we were to define the Fan-atics as simply a club then you would be right.  Yes, it is true that we are identified by the common characteristic of being Falcon fans.  Yes, it is true that we meet on a regular basis.  Yes, it is true that there are some advantages of being a Falcon Fan-atic such as parking deals, excellent trip packages, and having players at our meetings.

However, the Fan-atics are much more than just a club.

The Falcon Fan-atics are also about a group of Falcon fans that are community oriented.  We show this common view by our countless acts of volunteer work.

Volunteering is what I want to focus on for a minute.  Over the years, the Falcon Fan-atics have developed a reputation, as being the ones that can be counted on anytime the Atlanta Falcons needed someone to assist i.e. volunteer in one of their charitable events.

However, I am sad to report that a man that epitomize the concept of a Falcon Fan-atic passed away May 24^th as a result of injuries substained during an automobile accident.

Rodney L. “Rod” Beard was a man that was the true definition of a Falcon Fan-atic.  Rod was the Chairman of the club’s Special Events committee and Rod definetly put the special into special events.

Rod along with his wife, Karen and daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Tim worked tirelessly with our charitable events.  Whenever there was a pizza party at children’s hospital, Rod was there.  Whenever the Falcons needed a volunteer, Rod was there.  Whenever you needed him, Rod was there.  Not only there but with a smile and a work hard attitude. 

Rod’s contributions to the club will be missed but not as much as the man himself.  I deem it an honor to have known him.  Our world is a little better place because of him.

To borrow a quote from the funeral…

The game is over.  The fans are filing out .  The score board tells the story.  We all have won from knowing Rod.

Thoughts from Fan-atics about Rod:

I am blessed to be able to respond to the loss of Rod. When my name was placed on the list of candidates to become vice president of the Falcon Fan-atics several years ago, Rod was also nominated. I was honored with the nomination and appointment, and Rod told me he was glad I was voted as vice president. Rod, however, volunteered to be a spokesperson and lead in the area of charity work in behalf of the club. Rod was a great example of what a real fan club member should be. Involved. If every member became involved to the extent Rod did.  Then we would have a successful club, indeed. To hear of his passing is a tremendous personal loss to me. Rod will be greatly missed. My condolences to the family -- Forrest Hill 

 I don't ever recall meeting him at any of the tailgates but he sounded like a quality guy. He'll be missed. -- Mike Moore

 Sorry to here that Chuck about Rod I never had the pleasure of meeting him. But give his family my best wishes. and my GOD be w/them at this time . Question do we have a Falcon Fan-atic Flag  that we can give to his Wife / kind like the military and what will the cost be we can all chip in even if we or not there as the Falcon Fanatic Family R.Cheeks

Annual Fan-atic Banquet

Just a quick reminder about the annual banquet.  This year it will be held at Lake Lanier Islands.  This will give us an opportunity to make a full day of fun instead of a couple hours in a hotel banquet room.

Come early to play at the water park, play a round of golf, or just hang out with fellow members and friends.

Also, the banquet is when we present the Fan-atic awards to the players you have selected as best Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Year.  The votes are in and have been counted and audited by Cooper's Accounting (ok so that's me but I sanctioned that the counting was correct and the winners are whom you chose). 

Curious to know who won?  I bet you are, but the announcement will not be made until the banquet.  Can't make it to the banquet and still want to know who won the awards?  Well, I will whisper it in your ear…

 Not really.  The winners will be announced in the next newsletter.  We have had success in the prior award presentations to get some of the winners to join us at the banquet.

Also note that there will not be a regular meeting on June  8^th at Corky’s.  Any business that needs to be discussed will be discussed during the dinner portion of the banquet.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Items Needed for Silent Auction

One of the biggest fund raisers we do each year is the silent auction at the annual banquet.  Because of fund raisers like this, the Falcon Fan-atics were able to  donate a total of $3,250 in cash donations to local charities.  Not to mention funding pizza parties at 3 local children’s hospitals.

As you see, the money raised is used for great causes.  If you have any items that you would wish to donate, please let me or Selinda know before June 19^th.  Items can range from autographed Falcon gear to gift certificates from local businesses.

Please help us to raise the money that we need to continue the work this club is known for.

Change in Annual Banquet

by: Chuck Ruffino

Due our sudden loss of Rod Beard and to reduce the burden of Karen Beard, a change of Annual Dinner Coordinator will be Selinda Mahan. We need all moneys and numbers of persons on the reservation form buy June 4^th.  If you have sent the reservation in, it will be forwarded to Selinda, but please call Selinda by phone (678-482-0856) so we have an accurate count.

 As a personal note I wish to ask all members of our club to come, meet and socialize with everyone at our annual dinner. I think everyone in the club are great people and life is to short. Honor Rob Beard by coming to one his charity events.

2004 Kickoff Luncheon

The annual event will be held this year from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 2 at the Georgia Dome

Guests will have the opportunity to collect autographs from players during an autograph session, as well as bid on sports memorabilia during silent and live auctions.  Falcons head coach Jim Mora will also present players with awards for their accomplishments on and off the gridiron during the 2003 season.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Jerry Rhea Sports Medicine Scholarship Fund and the Georgia High School Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Program.

This is another announcement to let you clean your schedules.  More information will be forth coming as to how many tables the Fan-atics will reserve and pricing.  Stay tuned for further details.

Spotlight on a Falcon Fanatic

Football fan?  Gail Clancy says, “I have always been a big football fan.  In the early 70’s I was a Dallas Cowboy fan, a Chicago Bear fan and, an Oakland Raider fan.  I knew every players name and watched the games on television every weekend, when I couldn’t see the game.”

 “Then in January 1986, my husband and I moved from Boston to Suwanee, Georgia.  Home of the Falcons!  Well, since I was a big Bear fan, I knew “da Bears” were going to be using the Falcon Training Camp to practice up for the Super bowl.  The Bears had won their division and were headed to the Super Bowl against New England “

“Well, as luck would have it, my new home was 2 miles from the Falcon Training Facilities.  I think I arrived at the facilities the very next evening after moving into my new home.  I still wasn’t thinking, Atlanta Falcons, I wanted to see da Bears!  I couldn’t believe I was standing in the same place the Bears were practicing.  I was determined to catch a glimpse of one of them so I headed down the corridor to the back door.  I was going to find myself a Bear.  I was stopped at the door by a guard.  He asked me where I was going and I said I want to see “da Bears”.  He said, “Ma’m, they are all in bed sleeping now and practice is closed to the public.”  “What about the Falcons?” I asked.  “They have all gone home; the seasons over for them” he replied.” 

 “I went home that night thinking about the Falcons.  Why hadn’t I ever heard of them? Who were they?   I figured now that I only lived 2 miles down the street from their training facilities I would find out.  I couldn’t wait for football season to start.  I would hang out down there and it would be great fun.” 

 “During the summer I must have gone to the facilities dozens of times.  They had a gift shop you could go to and buy great football stuff and a great little restaurant/bar.

Finally the practice season started.  I went to the practice sessions and to the restaurant/bar just hoping that I might see “somebody.”  I read all the newspaper stories about the Atlanta Falcons.  When the season started I watched them on television every week.  I knew their names and which position they played.  I knew Marion was their coach and they played the Bears some years.”

“Then in 1991, while I was hanging out at the Falcon facilities, I  noticed a flyer on the table in the lobby.  It was an application to join the Falcon Fanatics Fan Club. Well, I couldn’t join fast enough.  I was in heaven!  I went to all the meetings and I even won some great prizes and, of course, they were Falcon prizes.  The players would come and talk to us at the meetings. Then my job prevented me from getting to the meetings, but I never let my membership lapse.  I still watched them every weekend on television and I always wore my Falcon cap and t-shirt.”

 “I forgot about the Dallas Cowboys and I forgot about the Oakland Raiders.  It was the Falcons all the way!  Da Bears?  Well, I still have a soft spot in my heart for them.  but I am, first and forever a Falcon Fan, through and through.”

Let's Get Digital

Ever received your newsletter late?  Was it ever damaged by the Post Office?  Did you ever not receive your copy of the Fan-atic Flyer?  Well, worry no more about receiving your copy.  Sign up today and start receiving your newsletter through e-mail.  All you need is an e-mail address and Microsoft Word on your PC. 

You will receive your newsletter the same day it is released to the printers.  No more annoying staples to remove.  No damage pages.  Better quality photos.  And you can print out as many copies as you want for your own use and to give to friends and co-workers. 

Additionally, receiving your newsletter via e-mail will help reduce the clubs administration expenses and the more money we save running the club translates into more money we can put into our selected charities.

Delay no longer.  Join many other Fan-atic members who have signed up and are enjoying their issues electronically.  Send an e-mail with the subject "Sign Me Up" to falcon_fanatics@yahoo.com.  That's all you have to do.  The newsletter will be sent to the e-mail address on your sign up notice.

Moving/Change of Address or E-mail

If any member has a change of address or e-mail or is planning to have a change of address, please let Joe Cooper know so he can update the records so that he can make sure you continue to get your newsletter.  Thank you.

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