As I mentioned in my last post, I attended last night's game against the Los Angeles Kings. For those of you unfamiliar with Blue Jackets games at Nationwide Arena, when the national anthem is about to be sung, this gentleman named Leo Welsh (sp.?) steps onto the ice. When he is announced, everyone shouts "LEO!" It is really cool to see.
When this occurred last night, it made me wonder. How did this "tradition" start? One person, one day probably had this idea to shout Leo's name after he was announced. The person was probably a frequent attendant to Blue Jackets games so he/she did it again. The people around him probably decided to join in.
Over time, more and more people decided to participate. Eventually, it became a "whole arena" sensation. Now Leo's name booms across the arena at the start of every game. It must make the man himself feel great too!
What a simple, yet fantastic tradition unique to Blue Jackets games at Nationwide Arena. And I bet it started because of one or two fans.
My question is: who is that one fan (or fans) who started this? It must feel so good to know that they started such an endearing tradition. It would be cool to meet them and just say thanks for starting such a great routine. Of course, there probably is no good way to prove who started it, but I bet some of you out there know.
Living in Indiana, I do not have the opportunity to attend many Jackets games. I'd be interested to hear from more regular attendants regarding what they know about the emergence of the "Leo!" shout. When did this become a "whole arena" thing? What section did it start in?
-wj
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Don't know the history on the "LEO!" shout, but it's interesting to note that Jake Voracek adds his voice to the crowd's every home game. Is that cool or what?
ReplyDeleteI have been a season ticket holder since I moved back from St. Louis in 2006 (Yes I had Blues season tickets the year after the lockout when there were god awful). My seats until this year were in section 209 (2006) and 210 (2007-2008). I remember this starting back in 2006 (I believe that is when Leo came on board) from somewhere in section 205-207. It was a small group that eventually got bigger and bigger as the year went on. I for one dont know exactly who started it took half to the full first year for it to catch on.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely cool for Voracek to do something like that. Brings a more human, personal element!
ReplyDelete