August 05, 2008
Watching the Rapids in Luxury
by CVI's Josh Viasman
For many sports fans, enjoying a live game from the comforts of a luxury box is much akin to being the hall monitor in middle school; you get to look down at your peers from your “throne” on high. Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to view a recent Rapids match from one of these noble seats.
My passion for the Rapids must be rubbing off on my boss at work – apparently he knows a guy who knows a guy who knows someone in the Rapids Front Office who gave us 5 free seats in the luxury box at the south end of the stadium. So, on the night of July 27th, I accompanied my boss and 3 of my work-mates to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park for an evening of MLS action.
We arrived at the stadium 45 minutes before game time and were welcomed at the luxury suite entrance by two exceptionally dressed, Secret Sevice-esque gentleman. We were directed upstairs and to the right to our box. We entered our box to find 4 Rapids employees who greeted us enthusiastically. A quick scan of the inside portion revealed 5 plush, leather chairs surrounding a fine wooden table, the surface of which was empty except for a hard covered copy of a book commemorating the first 10 years of MLS. The rear of the room had a kitchenette, a small refrigerator and plenty of cabinet and counter space. To our right was what I was really after – the spread of food.
We were treated to fried shrimp, spring rolls, BBQed ribs and fried chicken as well as fruit, salty snacks and various cakes and sweets. Soda, bottled water and beer were also provided and let me tell you, one beer is all it took for my boss to truly enjoy the game!
Along the windowed wall facing the pitch were several comfortable high chairs as well as a door leading to the outside seating. All in all, I was impressed.
I stacked a plate with grub, grabbed a couple bottled waters and found a prime seat outside. As I sat down I watched with a smile some of my Class VI peers trickle in to Section 108. I wanted to wave but my hands were full of RFO provided food and I didn’t want to drop any!
The game began and my excitement was quickly drained by the combination of Hesmer’s quick reactions, Erpen’s ineptitude and my co-worker’s total lack of enthusiasm for the game and the sport. It wasn’t long before I missed 108. Thankfully, after the Crew’s second goal, my party left the stadium and I was able to sneak down to the bowl to be with my fellow depressed souls.
I’ve been to a few stadiums in my day and had the opportunity to sit in a handful of luxury boxes. To be perfectly honest, unless you started Google or won the lottery, the luxury boxes we’re apt to be in are essentially one in the same. Once the game got going all I really wanted was to be with my friends berating Schellotto and the refs. Don’t get me wrong – the next time someone offers me a free ticket up there I’ll take it without a thought. I mean, the food was delicious. But you can bet, minutes before the starting whistle, I’ll be sitting back in Section 108. I may even still have some BBQ sauce on my face.