Originally posted by thisgirl13
I do know that all the more popular fan sites (brendanhansenonline, aaronpeirsolonline, texas-trio) are run by a small group of girls, but the first one I mentioned, www.brendanhansenonline.com, is run by a 21 year old girl named Michelle, and Brendan and his whole family have gotten involved with the website, and have even met the BHO girls, as they're called, at various meets this year.
I had to comment on this, because although the lovely woman who runs brendanhansenonline.com would love to hear that she's 21, she in fact has a kid about that age. Texas Trio is run by a laywer and an insurance agent, both of whom simply admire those guys and felt they weren't getting the attention they deserved. I think it's all great for the sport, and I love it that I can see video of different meets -- even amateur -- without having to leave my living room. Nevermind the childhood pics and such, all of which lend a touch of personalization.
I think the attention these 3 guys are getting surprises them a bit, but I do think they appreciate it. I had the good fortune to meet all three of the "Texas Trio" during last week's competitions, and all were quite friendly and accomodating as they were surrounded by fans after the event. And lest you think no good comes of it, imagine more people cheering for Ian Crocker than Michael Phelps during the 100 fly. I didn't even know who Ian Crocker WAS during the Olympics. At Duel in the Pool, the entire American team went and signed autographs for the crowd after the event. I have to imagine that fan sites play a role in the awareness people have of swimmers. And as a marketing professional, I think it's fabulous free publicity for the team and the sport.
Funny thing about the Texas Trio is that they were my inspiration for joining a masters club. After watching them obliterate the WR in the 4x100 medley relay last summer, I couldn't wait to get back in the pool myself...after a 12 year break from competitive swimming. Fandom and participating in the sport certainly aren't mutually exclusive, in my case, they're inextricably linked.
Originally posted by thisgirl13
I do know that all the more popular fan sites (brendanhansenonline, aaronpeirsolonline, texas-trio) are run by a small group of girls, but the first one I mentioned, www.brendanhansenonline.com, is run by a 21 year old girl named Michelle, and Brendan and his whole family have gotten involved with the website, and have even met the BHO girls, as they're called, at various meets this year.
I had to comment on this, because although the lovely woman who runs brendanhansenonline.com would love to hear that she's 21, she in fact has a kid about that age. Texas Trio is run by a laywer and an insurance agent, both of whom simply admire those guys and felt they weren't getting the attention they deserved. I think it's all great for the sport, and I love it that I can see video of different meets -- even amateur -- without having to leave my living room. Nevermind the childhood pics and such, all of which lend a touch of personalization.
I think the attention these 3 guys are getting surprises them a bit, but I do think they appreciate it. I had the good fortune to meet all three of the "Texas Trio" during last week's competitions, and all were quite friendly and accomodating as they were surrounded by fans after the event. And lest you think no good comes of it, imagine more people cheering for Ian Crocker than Michael Phelps during the 100 fly. I didn't even know who Ian Crocker WAS during the Olympics. At Duel in the Pool, the entire American team went and signed autographs for the crowd after the event. I have to imagine that fan sites play a role in the awareness people have of swimmers. And as a marketing professional, I think it's fabulous free publicity for the team and the sport.
Funny thing about the Texas Trio is that they were my inspiration for joining a masters club. After watching them obliterate the WR in the 4x100 medley relay last summer, I couldn't wait to get back in the pool myself...after a 12 year break from competitive swimming. Fandom and participating in the sport certainly aren't mutually exclusive, in my case, they're inextricably linked.
