GOAL!!!

    COMMERCE CITY — The national economy is still posting mixed numbers for the hope of a recovery. But at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, the verdict for 2011 is in: It was a very good year.

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Average announced attendance at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City was up sharply in 2011 to 14,700, compared to 13,300 in 2010.

Oscar Pareja

    The number of season-ticket holders for the Colorado Rapids home games jumped from 1,900 in 2010 to 3,100 in 2011.
    There was also sharp increase in average announced attendance at games from 13,300 in 2010 to 14,700 in 2011.
    While these numbers contain a small amount of community donations to organizations such as the Colorado Rapid’s Kicks for Kids program, President Tim Hinche said paid attendance was up 26 percent for 2011.
    “When you win a championship and you have an opportunity to hopefully take advantage of a whole bunch of great things that happened with those events, and we have seen terrific momentum within the team,” Hinche said. “It’s great when your internal staff is excited to be part of the organization, which always helps when you’re out there trying to sell product. Certainly, from a PR and media perspective, we had more coverage than I think the club’s had in a tremendous amount of time.”
    Hinche said the ownership of the organization has a long view of growing the Colorado Rapids and the park, which includes investment in staffing.
    “We’re getting the support from ownership that we need to be successful on the business side of things,” Hinche said. “We had five account executives last year; we’re looking at adding another five individuals this year.”
    At around $20, the average ticket price has been affordable for the public, Hinche said.
    “If you can get people to come back 17 to 20 times at that level for a ticket price, then we feel like we’re going to be a successful business and everyone has a chance to come out and support it,” Hinche said.
    Oscar Pareja was hired as the new head coach for the Rapids this year, and Hinche is excited about what the new talent will bring to the team.
    “We had a change at the helm at the end of last year,” Hinche said. “We were very fortunate to have some phenomenal people put their name in the ring to want to participate for this organization, which is always a great indication of where we’re going as a company. With that we had some outstanding candidates come through. But through that entire process, Oscar just jumped off the page.”
    Hinche said Pareja’s history as a player and his technical ability as a coach give him a unique set of talents that he brings to the Rapids.
    “I’ll speak for myself for every time I’ve met with him. His character, his integrity, his work ethic, he’s a family man. These are the kind of people you want to go to war with. These are the kind of people you want to work side-by-side with,” Hinche said. “This isn’t just going to have a tremendous impact on our first team, which is out here playing at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. But I think the impact will be on the entire company, bringing us together as one club. And this effect goes down all the way to our academy and our under 8s and under 9s that aspire to be professional Rapids players some day.”
    Hinche said the organization is focused on 2012. And with new full season ticket sales up this year ahead of last year’s year-to-date numbers, Hinche feels confident the club will continue to grow. One of his top goals for the business is to acquire a corporate sponsor for the Rapids uniforms.
    “So even though we didn’t have a championship last year, we went to the playoffs, which was another very successful season,” Hinche said. “You start to see, at least we feel, that there’s some serious traction, and all the hard work that has been put in since this building opened is starting to pay off.”
    Hinche credits the city of Commerce City for coordinating with the club to make this growth possible, and helping get fans into the 18,086-capacity park.
    “They’ve been great to work with every step of the way,” Hinche said. “It’s a great partnership. I think what’s the best evidence of that is our annual Fourth Fest, where we truly partner together and that continues to grow. There’s a standing room only crowd at the game. But you’ll also notice, which I think is great for the community, is all the lawn chairs and beach chairs and blankets thrown down getting ready for the fireworks show, which really is the largest in Colorado.”
    Hinche expects the club to continue to connect with the community as the Rapids put down roots in Commerce City.
    “We want to compete for every trophy out there,” Hinche said. “We’re excited about the season; we’re excited about the direction of the club. It’s going to be another great year.”

Contact Ben Wiebesiek at 303-659-2522, ext. 206, or email bwiebesiek@metrowestnewspapers.com.