Hali Schatz: Why I'm Flock End
The great Scottish player and coach Jock Stein once said, “Football is nothing without fans.” Presenting #WhyImFlockEnd: a weekly series highlighting members of Forward Madison FC’s Independent Supporters Association, affectionately termed The Flock.
Hali Schatz
#WhyImFlockEnd
I fell in love with soccer because of my high school history teacher. He was majorly into soccer and he really wanted to share that with his students. So he started a supporters section for my high schools soccer team and encouraged his students to come. It was such an amazing time to go to games and cheer for our team. Usually high school soccer in the US doesn’t get much attention you could really tell what it meant to our team that we were there every game singing for them.
I’m from Madison but I’ve been living in Minneapolis for the last 10 years and I have watched MN United grow from a club like Forward Madison to a full MLS club with a brand new stadium opening this season! The impact on the community has been amazing to watch. They host everything from youth soccer clinics in low income neighborhoods, to fund raisers and benefits, to food shelf work. Even when you look at the neighborhood where they are building Allianz field you can really see the effort to give back to the community coming directly from the club itself.
Soccer supporters groups have a long tradition of community involvement that extends far past coming to games and cheering on the team. It is part of what I love about soccer is that everyone from the team to the fans ends up giving back to the community in some way. I am excited to see what ends up being our main causes and seeing what I can contribute. It is things like that which make the supporters community strong.
Going to games is where we let our hair down, but friendships are built giving back to our community.
What makes you excited to be a part of the flock this year?
I am excited to sing the team on to victory! I am counting on Madisonians to be a loud crowd!
Who’s your all time favorite footballer and why?
I am a big Mo Salah fan!! His team loyalty, his efforts to give back to his home community, and his amazing ability to bring it home for Liverpool! He’s pretty amazing.
What are you looking forward to most about Forward Madison’s inaugural season?
I am looking forward to meeting new people and building some club traditions!
What aspect of soccer supporter culture would you like to see in the Flock end?
The community service aspect of supporter culture has always been a big draw for me. I’m really excited to see us getting involved in some good causes this season!
I am flock end
Because part of what I love about soccer is that everyone from the team to the fans ends up giving back to the community in some way.
Favorite place to hang out with friends in Madison?
Love hitting new breweries around town! Anywhere with good beer is always a good place to be with friends!
Best vacation you’ve ever had?
I once spent two weeks in Spain. It was amazing. You can bet I came back with a Spanish national team jersey!
What song or album is on you heavy rotation right now?
I’ve been going deep with Placebo lately.
What’s your favorite or most memorable soccer match that you’ve been to?
I was asked to be part of a group holding a banner on field at the home opener for MN United Loons last season. It was St. Patrick’s day and the whole group was amazing!
Which of the Madison forward players announced so far are you most excited to see play?
I am just excited to see how the team comes together. Seems like we’ve picked a good bunch so far. This season will be exciting.