As a club, we wouldn't be anything without our fans. Each week FC Tulsa will be highlighting its Season Ticket Members as Fans of the Week with stories featuring one-on-one interviews with our fans.
This week's Fan(s) of the Week are Les and Margie Adolph.
As a club, we wouldn’t be anything without our fans. Each week FC Tulsa will be highlighting its Season Ticket Members as Fans of the Week with stories featuring one-on-one interviews with our fans.
This week’s Fan(s) of the Week are Les and Margie Adolph.
When and how did you become a soccer fan?
Margie: I grew up in St. Louis and was familiar with soccer as a teenager. When my daughter as about 6 or 7 I asked if she would like to play. That was the start for me and continues decades later.
Les: About 40 years ago, my son started playing soccer and I got involved in the game from watching him, and the more I watched the more skilled I found out the players really have to be and have been hooked ever since.
When did you both become Tulsa fans?
We moved to Tulsa from Kansas City 18 years ago where we had been season ticket holders for the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting KC). We missed our sports and became partial season ticket holders for the Drillers. It was announced at a Drillers game that a professional soccer team was starting in Tulsa.
We were on board immediately!
Do you have any favorite Tulsa soccer memories?
Margie: There are too many to list! My favorite part of each contest is not just the game, that goes without saying, but when the players come around after the game and we get an opportunity to congratulate or encourage them. Acknowledging things they did, i.e. a good cross, great goal, “you played hard”, is important. They all deserve to know that the fans are there for them, win or lose. We have developed friendships with many players through this interaction. They become like part of our extended family if only for the season.
Les: I’m pretty much in agreement with what Margie stated, however I sometimes also like to provide some “encouragement” to the referees!
How do you feel about the direction of the team under new ownership?
Margie: Very excited and have been pleased what we have seen and heard so far from not only the Crafts but everyone in the organization. Really looking forward to good things to come and anxious for the opportunity to watch our boys play again whether it be live or by other means. Live is preferable but we will take what we can get. We were pleased to see the return of many of last years players as continuity is important. Those established relationships are special and lend to better blending of new players.
Les: I am very excited in the direction the Crafts and the new organization are taking the team, I think both Margie and I were excited to participate in the fact finding efforts and town hall meetings that they undertook to see what the fans felt and thought necessary for the team to benefit. It was even more rewarding to see that almost all of the feedback was welcomed and utilized. It is so encouraging to see several of our players from last year brought back rather than starting basically every year with a completely new roster.
Who is your favorite player on the team and why?
Margie: Oh no…not going there…don’t make me pick one! LOL. Love them all!
Les: Here again I’ll agree with Margie and would not want to leave any of them out but we have grown closer to some of the players, present and past and still try to keep in touch when we can.
Which kit do you like more the city or state?
Margie: Really like them both however from a practical standpoint I favor the City. Oklahoma weather can get pretty hot and black is rather warm to wear when that happens.
Les: When the new logo and colors were introduced, it was a welcome change, not knocking the Roughnecks colors and logo, it’s just that I think the new ones are more in line with what the world soccer and futbal stage is like. Kudos to all involved in bringing this together. So I pretty much danced around the question so I’ll have to say, they both are pleasing.
When and how did you become a soccer fan?
Margie: I grew up in St. Louis and was familiar with soccer as a teenager. When my daughter as about 6 or 7 I asked if she would like to play. That was the start for me and continues decades later.
Les: About 40 years ago, my son started playing soccer and I got involved in the game from watching him, and the more I watched the more skilled I found out the players really have to be and have been hooked ever since.
When did you both become Tulsa fans?
We moved to Tulsa from Kansas City 18 years ago where we had been season ticket holders for the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting KC). We missed our sports and became partial season ticket holders for the Drillers. It was announced at a Drillers game that a professional soccer team was starting in Tulsa.
We were on board immediately!
Do you have any favorite Tulsa soccer memories?
Margie: There are too many to list! My favorite part of each contest is not just the game, that goes without saying, but when the players come around after the game and we get an opportunity to congratulate or encourage them. Acknowledging things they did, i.e. a good cross, great goal, “you played hard”, is important. They all deserve to know that the fans are there for them, win or lose. We have developed friendships with many players through this interaction. They become like part of our extended family if only for the season.
Les: I’m pretty much in agreement with what Margie stated, however I sometimes also like to provide some “encouragement” to the referees!
How do you feel about the direction of the team under new ownership?
Margie: Very excited and have been pleased what we have seen and heard so far from not only the Crafts but everyone in the organization. Really looking forward to good things to come and anxious for the opportunity to watch our boys play again whether it be live or by other means. Live is preferable but we will take what we can get. We were pleased to see the return of many of last years players as continuity is important. Those established relationships are special and lend to better blending of new players.
Les: I am very excited in the direction the Crafts and the new organization are taking the team, I think both Margie and I were excited to participate in the fact finding efforts and town hall meetings that they undertook to see what the fans felt and thought necessary for the team to benefit. It was even more rewarding to see that almost all of the feedback was welcomed and utilized. It is so encouraging to see several of our players from last year brought back rather than starting basically every year with a completely new roster.
Who is your favorite player on the team and why?
Margie: Oh no…not going there…don’t make me pick one! LOL. Love them all!
Les: Here again I’ll agree with Margie and would not want to leave any of them out but we have grown closer to some of the players, present and past and still try to keep in touch when we can.
Which kit do you like more the city or state?
Margie: Really like them both however from a practical standpoint I favor the City. Oklahoma weather can get pretty hot and black is rather warm to wear when that happens.
Les: When the new logo and colors were introduced, it was a welcome change, not knocking the Roughnecks colors and logo, it’s just that I think the new ones are more in line with what the world soccer and futbal stage is like. Kudos to all involved in bringing this together. So I pretty much danced around the question so I’ll have to say, they both are pleasing.
