The Winning Team

  It was anything but a normal weekend around Camden Yards.  If you saw the Ravens on TV or even if you were here enjoying the game, it didn't look much different than any other game (although the snowman seated in the upper deck was a nice touch.)  It is to the credit of an extraordinary team of people, drawing on numerous resources and interfacing seamlessly with their counterparts in state and local government, that made the stadium and its parking lots safe and accessible for fans to enjoy tailgating and the game.

I've had the pleasure of working with these folks for more than three years, and have long admired their resourcefulness and dedication to duty.  Some of the facilities personnel worked the entire weekend, not leaving until Sunday night, enduring some pretty brutal conditions shoveling snow in the seating bowl.

Our Chairman, John Morton, summarized their accomplishments in a "Letter to the Editor" I'd like to share with you.  He speaks for all who appreciate how fortunate we are to have these committed professionals working with us.

Dear Editor,

The Ravens were not the only triumphant team at M&T Bank Stadium this weekend. As Chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, I’d like to credit those unsung heroes who spent up to 72 hours straight preparing for battle against the toughest snowstorm this region has seen in years.


The Maryland Stadium Authority is committed to not only maintaining and managing our fine sports facilities, but also keeping them safe and accessible for the millions of visitors we have every year. We are vigilant in preparing for any challenge, so when the blizzard of ’09, arrived just before our last home football game, we had our team in place.


The workforce and equipment come from many sources: private contractors, our partners in Camden Yards operations (including the Ravens,) and other state agencies. Efforts to keep the stadium accessible were coordinated with state and local officials who worked tirelessly.. It is a tribute to all involved that the main arteries connecting the stadium were maintained through the storm and the lots were ready for tailgating by Sunday morning.

About 1,750 workers, many of whom stayed Thursday through Sunday night (sleeping on the club level floor) made this remarkable feat possible.


All of us at the Stadium Authority are proud of our teams – the ones on the fields, and those who maintain our operations and offer the best fan experience possible, despite any challenge.

Sincerely,
John Morton, III
Chairman, Maryland Stadium Authority