Who are ThE American OuTLAWS?
Officers
Eric Vogel President (Executive)
Cooper Kennard Vice President (Executive)
Jeff Spenard Treasurer (Executive)
Frank Herrada Secretary (Executive)
AO BloNo Board of Directors
Christian Kang (founder AOFargo)
Cliff Ruthstrom
Koby Stern
The American Outlaws Bloomington-Normal Chapter Inc. is a non-for-profit social organization in the State of Illinois
Mission:
The American Outlaws is a grassroots organization of US Soccer supporters. With over 125 local chapters across the country and 18,000 members, we travel around the globe supporting the American side wherever and whenever they play. Our mission is to support the United States National Soccer Teams through a unified and dedicated group of supporters, building communities locally and nationally to Unite & Strengthen American soccer.
UNITE & STRENGTHEN
History:
The American Outlaws started in Lincoln, NE as a local supporters group. Throwing viewing parties at local bars and attending
every game possible sparked excitement amongst some of the leaders of the group, who felt like they could do more. In attending these games, a lack of consistency was observed from game to game with regard to the level of supporter organization and communication, particularly with events surrounding the game (ie tailgates, parties, etc.). We then decided to make AO a nationwide, non-profit supporter group.
What’s with our Name:
Our name came about in 2 ways.
1. When we started bringing soccer fans together to watch soccer and travel to US games in Nebraska (not known for soccer), we were part of an outlier group of sports fans, in a sea of American football, baseball, and NASCAR fans. We felt we were outlaws of the sports world, supporting a sport that most people didn’t know much of or care about.
But we soon found out that many cared and many knew, no matter the size of your town.
2. We decided to show that we were sports outlaws, but weren’t small in numbers, by sporting what the old American wild-west outlaws wore, the bandanna. We wanted to show we are proud of being American and proud to be a soccer fan in America! It also makes for a site to see in the stands!
What we Do:
Eric Vogel President (Executive)
Cooper Kennard Vice President (Executive)
Jeff Spenard Treasurer (Executive)
Frank Herrada Secretary (Executive)
AO BloNo Board of Directors
Christian Kang (founder AOFargo)
Cliff Ruthstrom
Koby Stern
The American Outlaws Bloomington-Normal Chapter Inc. is a non-for-profit social organization in the State of Illinois
Mission:
The American Outlaws is a grassroots organization of US Soccer supporters. With over 125 local chapters across the country and 18,000 members, we travel around the globe supporting the American side wherever and whenever they play. Our mission is to support the United States National Soccer Teams through a unified and dedicated group of supporters, building communities locally and nationally to Unite & Strengthen American soccer.
UNITE & STRENGTHEN
History:
The American Outlaws started in Lincoln, NE as a local supporters group. Throwing viewing parties at local bars and attending
every game possible sparked excitement amongst some of the leaders of the group, who felt like they could do more. In attending these games, a lack of consistency was observed from game to game with regard to the level of supporter organization and communication, particularly with events surrounding the game (ie tailgates, parties, etc.). We then decided to make AO a nationwide, non-profit supporter group.
What’s with our Name:
Our name came about in 2 ways.
1. When we started bringing soccer fans together to watch soccer and travel to US games in Nebraska (not known for soccer), we were part of an outlier group of sports fans, in a sea of American football, baseball, and NASCAR fans. We felt we were outlaws of the sports world, supporting a sport that most people didn’t know much of or care about.
But we soon found out that many cared and many knew, no matter the size of your town.
2. We decided to show that we were sports outlaws, but weren’t small in numbers, by sporting what the old American wild-west outlaws wore, the bandanna. We wanted to show we are proud of being American and proud to be a soccer fan in America! It also makes for a site to see in the stands!
What we Do:
Chicago-bound High Speed Amtrak "Lincoln Service" at Normal near Pub II
What's with the AOBloNo logo?
After much deliberation graphic designer/president Chris Kang decided that of all the different icons of Central Illinois and specifically Bloomington Normal that a locomotive was perhaps MOST appropriate. Considered were images of large wind turbines, corn, the Tower Cellular needle, perhaps pens representing underwriting insurance, Watterson Towers, a graduation hat (2 universities), robots for the car manufacturing, etc... End of the day the locomotive theme fit best for a number of reasons. The 'Twin Cities' recently received upgraded Amtrak high-speed rail service through a large government grant, Ray LaHood, and to compliment a continuous modernization and building boom in Uptown Normal. Our city has a rich railroading history being situated as a crossroads of Illinois, the Midwest and the country. The town of Bloomington was once home to the main Chicago & Alton Railroad 'Train Shops' and also the factory for the famous Pullman Company who made the first 'sleeper cars' in Bloomington. Uptown Normal is now home of the newly built, state-of-the-art transportation hub/train station and the Pub II (AO BloNo HQ) is situated just 1 block away against the railroad tracks as well. Literally every hour a train passes through Uptown blasting its horns- not to mention during every match we watch! Plus... it looks more aggressive and cool than a ear of corn or a windmill!
Today the Bloomington-Normal/Central Illinois community is most well known throughout the country for being the home of State Farm Insurance Companies, Country Financial, Illinois Farm Bureau, Growmark, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing America, Beer Nuts, AFNI, The Twin Groves Wind Farm, Central Illinois Regional Airport, as well as once being the home of Eureka vacuums. ...also Abraham Lincoln once gave a speech here (not ironically on the back of a railcar) but we lost it, hence "Lincoln's Lost Speech", sorry.
After much deliberation graphic designer/president Chris Kang decided that of all the different icons of Central Illinois and specifically Bloomington Normal that a locomotive was perhaps MOST appropriate. Considered were images of large wind turbines, corn, the Tower Cellular needle, perhaps pens representing underwriting insurance, Watterson Towers, a graduation hat (2 universities), robots for the car manufacturing, etc... End of the day the locomotive theme fit best for a number of reasons. The 'Twin Cities' recently received upgraded Amtrak high-speed rail service through a large government grant, Ray LaHood, and to compliment a continuous modernization and building boom in Uptown Normal. Our city has a rich railroading history being situated as a crossroads of Illinois, the Midwest and the country. The town of Bloomington was once home to the main Chicago & Alton Railroad 'Train Shops' and also the factory for the famous Pullman Company who made the first 'sleeper cars' in Bloomington. Uptown Normal is now home of the newly built, state-of-the-art transportation hub/train station and the Pub II (AO BloNo HQ) is situated just 1 block away against the railroad tracks as well. Literally every hour a train passes through Uptown blasting its horns- not to mention during every match we watch! Plus... it looks more aggressive and cool than a ear of corn or a windmill!
Today the Bloomington-Normal/Central Illinois community is most well known throughout the country for being the home of State Farm Insurance Companies, Country Financial, Illinois Farm Bureau, Growmark, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing America, Beer Nuts, AFNI, The Twin Groves Wind Farm, Central Illinois Regional Airport, as well as once being the home of Eureka vacuums. ...also Abraham Lincoln once gave a speech here (not ironically on the back of a railcar) but we lost it, hence "Lincoln's Lost Speech", sorry.
Illinois Central Gulf Yard Bloomington
|
Chicago & Alton Railroad Shops in Bloomington
|
Chicago & Alton Railroad Shops in Bloomington
|
Chicago & Alton Railroad Shops in Bloomington
|
Chicago & Alton Railroad Passenger Station Bloomington
|
The brand new Uptown Normal Train Station & Transportation Hub
