Section 8 Chicago
| Section 8 Chicago | |
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| Club | Chicago Fire |
| Established | 1999 (section)
2003 (association) |
| Chairman | Dan Martin (WB05) |
| Website | s8c.org |
2003 (association)
Section 8 Chicago is the independent supporters' association for the Chicago Fire. The organization encompasses a number of affiliated supporters groups, as well as independent fans. The vision of the ISA is "to unite all Chicago Fire fans, to create a dominant in-stadium force unseen in American sports, and to establish home-field advantage whenever the Fire play".
Most groups associated with Section 8 Chicago occupy an area in the stadium known as "Section 8" – named after its original location at Soldier Field. With the Fire now playing at Toyota Park, "Section 8" consists of sections 116 to 119 in the Harlem End of the stadium.
Fire fans are well known for their non-stop chanting, colorful displays, and passionate support of the club, demonstrating a spirit akin to that shown in countries with a more established soccer tradition.
As an independent association for supporters, Section 8 Chicago exists to coordinate fan initiatives, assist supporters groups, donate to local charities, and act as the fanbase's primary liaison to the Chicago Fire organization. The ISA board of directors is elected annually in the first week in February at a meeting open to all Fire fans.
Fire supporter culture began in 1997 with the establishment of Barn Burners 1871 and the selection of the seating area in the Fire's stadium beginning the following year. As much for the symbolism of the name as the location on the corner of the field, Section 8 was chosen as the fans' home sector and established a designated standing area there ( with then-GM Peter Wilt) to encourage the style of fandom seen both in other countries' soccer traditions or in American college athletics. From the 1999 season, the Fire Ultras 98 moved to Section 8 from their location on the opposite side of the stadium. The primarily American/English influence of the Barn Burners became fused with the European ultras style of the Polish group. The resultant cocktail was a success, and both groups agreed to permanent cohabitation in the section. This set the precedent for cooperative organization among Fire fans still held today.
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