Houston, TX., May 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Astros fans at Monday's home game against the Kansas City Royals had a unique opportunity to promote responsible behavior. The Houston Astros, Anheuser-Busch, Silver Eagle Distributors, ARAMARK and TEAM Coalition partnered to educate fans about the importance of using a designated driver, buckling up and demonstrating positive fan behavior. The message is simple: "Be a Good Sport, Designate a Driver."
231 fans made the pledge to be Budweiser Good Sport Designated Drivers at the game:
- They are over 21 years of age
- They promised to not drink any alcohol during the game
- They promised to provide safe transportation home for their group from Minute Maid Park
Additionally, 60 more fans promised to never drive drunk and always have a designated driver if they were over 21 years of age. If they were under 21, they promised to not drink alcohol. In total, nearly 300 Astros fans made the pledge to be responsible at last night's Astros Responsibility Day.
Those fans had the opportunity to autograph a backdrop and smile for a souvenir photo. Both the backdrop and the photo included the responsibility message and partner logos. The backdrop will be displayed at Minute Maid Park throughout the remainder of the 2013 season.
Left to right: Marcel Braithwaite, Houston Astros vice president and general manager of Ballpark Operations; Allison Law, TEAM Coalition program associate; Cynde Bard, Silver Eagle Distributors coordinator of Corporate Social Responsibility; Jessica Thurston, TEAM Coalition program associate; Aurelio Ruelas, Anheuser-Busch regional director of Corporate Social Responsibility and Mat Drain ARAMARK resident district manager.
All season-long, fans who pledge to be Budweiser Good Sport Designated Drivers at Astros home games at Minute Maid Park are automatically entered to win the Responsibility Has Its Rewards sweepstakes. At the end of the regular season, one responsible fan will be randomly-selected as the Houston Astros Designated Driver for the Season, a finalist in the sweepstakes. The Astros Designated Driver for the Season may win tickets to the first game of the 2013 World Series® played at Minute Maid Park should the Astros win the American League Pennant or a trip to the 2014 MLB All-Star Game®.
"Fans truly are the voice of the Responsibility Has Its Rewards campaign" said Jill Pepper, executive director of TEAM Coalition. "Everyone that attends a game plays an important role in alcohol management by drinking responsibly, following the fan code of conduct and always having a designated driver. We are happy to bring the Houston Astros, Anheuser-Busch and ARAMARK together to help spread the message of alcohol responsibility."
"We're pleased to work with the Houston Astros, ARAMARK, TEAM Coalition and the other program partners to recognize fans who look out for each other and make being or using a designated driver part of their game plan," said Kathy Casso, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility for Anheuser-Busch. "When it comes to preventing drunk driving, we're all part of the team."
"The Houston Astros take the issue of alcohol management seriously. Game day should be safe and enjoyable for our fans, both at Minute Maid Park and as they travel home after the games," said Marcel Braithwaite, vice president & general manager Building Operations for the Houston Astros. "We're proud that so many of our fans have chosen to demonstrate responsible behavior and embrace the Budweiser Good Sport designated driver program."
"We understand the importance of working closely with our clients and partners to ensure that fans have a great experience, an important part of which is the responsible consumption of alcoholic beverages," said Mat Drain, resident district manager for ARAMARK at Minute Maid Park. "We remain fully committed to those we serve and the designated driver program is an important component of the alcohol management program at Minute Maid Park."
At the Astros Responsibility Day, fans who pledged to be designated drivers had a unique opportunity to show their dedication to the Astros and prove once again that responsibility really does have its rewards.
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About TEAM Coalition
TEAM Coalition's members and supporters include, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, National Collegiate Athletic Association, ARAMARK, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Ovations Food Services, Beer Institute, National Beer Wholesalers Association, Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors, Brown-Forman, Live Nation, National Association of Broadcasters, Contemporary Services Corporation, Elite, International Association of Venue Managers, Stadium Managers Association and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. www.TEAMCoalition.org
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK delivers experiences that enrich and nourish people's lives through innovative food, facility, and uniform services. United by a passion to serve, our more than 250,000 employees make a meaningful difference each day for millions of people around the world. ARAMARK is recognized among the Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Anheuser-Busch
For more three decades, Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of wholesalers have invested more than $980 million in national advertising campaigns and community-based programs to promote responsible drinking, prevent underage drinking and drunk driving and address college issues. For more information on these alcohol responsibility efforts and the progress being made, visit www.Anheuser-Busch.com.
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=18861
