NAVA Member supports local hockey team

John Gamez in San Antonio, Texas, is TOTALLY wrapped up in supporting his local hockey team and is known by just-about everyone in town for his antics every time the home boys score.

John describes his act as follows: "Basically what I do is get into costume and assume the persona of this crazed fan who will stop at nothing to have fun. When the team scores a goal, I run 1 lap around the entire upper section walkway. The walkway is a flat oval which I estimate to be about 200'x300' in size. the rest of the time I dance, act silly, lead cheers, "head bang" to heavy metal music, and create a little mayhem along the way. I have even learned some of the cheerleaders' routines!

"While running may sound fairly easy, I have to also dodge fans and cheerleaders, watch for spilled drinks and such, and try to high five as many people as possible on my way around. The hardest part is having to slow down and speed back up while dodging obstacles.

"I have actually fallen while doing this. It was during a "Dollar Beer Night". The walkway was flooded with beer and while dodging a fan, I lost my footing and took a nasty fall, but I didn't allow the colors to touch the floor. I quickly got back up and continued my run. No one even noticed me falling. I now incorporate this gag into my act. I call it "concrete diving". It is a calculated maneuver and I sustain no injury while performing the act.

"During the course of the game and after, I sign autographs, pose for pictures, meet and greet, and just have a good time. I get propositioned a lot, but being married I can't take advantage of that little perk."

Photo by Luci Crockett

Flag made by Dixie Flag

Helmet art, flag design, and logo painted on flag by John Gamez