The 2023 season has brought a lot of ‘new’ to Weidner Field for the Switchbacks: new roster, new coach, new jersey – just to name a few! Something not so new that we’d love to highlight? Our social impact initiatives. Here at the Switchbacks, we are very aware that we couldn’t do what we do without our fans and our community, and we take our slogan ‘my city my team’ sincerely around here – it’s not just us as in the Switchbacks, it’s ‘us’ as in all of Colorado Springs. The Springs is an amazing community, and we are so lucky and excited to get to be an active part of it!
We’re excited to share some social impact initiatives that are new this season you might not be familiar with, as well as some fun ones coming down the pipeline!
Ticket Donation Program: Our ticket donation program is a new program this season that is exclusive to our season ticket members and our partners. For those fans who are unable to attend every match, or have a ticket they can no longer use, they can choose to donate it to a local nonprofit, school, or charitable organization through their ticketing rep! In return for your donation, a tax deduction receipt equal to the face value of the tickets will be provided following the conclusion of the season. It’s a great and easy way to give back to a group you’re passionate about! Learn more about this program HERE
VetTix Donation Program: The Switchbacks have already dedicated 200+ tickets to VetTix for the 2023 season. Through this program, you can help! A portion of your Switchbacks FC ticket prices this season will go towards supporting this program, which helps get free event tickets to veterans throughout the Colorado Springs community. The military community is an incredibly important one here in the Springs, and we love any opportunity to give back to this amazing group!
Switchbacks FC Giveback: Our ticket giveback program is an opportunity for nonprofits to team up with the Switchbacks for group outings and ticket purchases, with a portion of all ticket sales going back directly to the group. For example, PRIDE soccer, the local youth organization here in the Springs, made a huge impact last season with their teams coming out in support of the Switchbacks, and our giveback program was able to provide them with a check for over $17,000 for the 2022 season! Contact our Box Office or your Season Ticket representative today for more information on how to be involved in this program!
Volunteering: Throughout 2022, the Switchbacks, both team and staff, spent over 50 hours volunteering throughout the city, at schools, nonprofits, and local sports programs, and helped raise over 20,000 dollars for a variety of groups. Our goal for 2023 is to both increase the number of hours we’ve accrued, as well as diversify the portfolio of organizations we donate our time to. If you have a nonprofit or a charitable organization that could use some help, let us know! We are always on the look out for ways our staff and the athletes can help make an impact – even one-on-one, in the community.
Canine Companions: For the second year in a row the Switchbacks are sponsoring a service dog in training! Canine Companions is a national organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs at no charge to the recipient. The Switchbacks sponsor a puppy every season, providing the resources Canine Companions needs to help get these dogs safely out into the community. Our puppy this year, Captain, can be seen at any Switchbacks home game – make sure you say hi if you see him!
Jersey Auction: This season we are so excited to say we’ll be partnering with Mt. Carmel Veteran’s Services Center for our jersey auction night! In honor of our Mental Health Awareness event, we’ll be auctioning off a specialty jersey that pays homage to Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Services, especially for our veterans and military members. Last year’s auction for the Penrose Center was a huge success, and we are hoping this season will be even bigger and better!
Looking for a unique and fun way to get involved with the community this year? Our Switchbacks Unified Team is working together to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Colorado as part of the 2023 Westerra Credit Union Colorado Springs Polar Pool Plunge presented by Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply to help raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Colorado! Join the team or make a donation to the team as a whole or an individual! Plus, you can cheer them on on April 22nd as they ‘take the plunge’!
