Joan Dobrzynski Is Back Where She Belongs

COMMERCE CITY – Devoted Colorado Rapids fan Joan Dobrzynski is back where she belongs! As reliable as a fine Bulova time piece, one of the team’s longest standing fans can again be seen standing tall and rooting on the Rapids from her perch in Section 108, at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park. 

“Joni” as she is affectionately called to by her friends and family, has been on the disabled list since March. She learned then that her health and wellness was being compromised by a life-threatening disease. 

With the help of family, many friends, the Rapids organizations and her all important healthcare providers, she has made a steady comeback over the past months. Some normalcy has returned to her schedule, enjoying Rapids’ morning practices, chit-chatting with players and staff, and viewing home games in Commerce City.

Her first return-to-action was rather spontaneous. On the morning of July 5, she woke up feeling rather well after her recent treatment. She channeled that good feeling into calling her C38 Supporters Group point person, Joe Schiefflin, and requested tickets to an next match.

The July 8 match against Dallas FC happened to be Drew Moor’s special night too. And she was not about to miss his induction into the team’s Gallery of Honor. Drew and his family occupy a very special place in Joan’s affectionate heart. It is fair to say she cherished the win and the halftime celebration of Moor’s career.

Rapids vs FC Dallas:

Like her brilliant smile, her innate glow was felt in the Rapids locker room, on the field and throughout the stands that night throughout the Dallas match. The Rapids won 2-1. Three points for the Rapids and lucky Joan too.

 As Burgundy Wave ‘s Managing Editor Matt Pollard wrote in his recap:

“For the first time in ten games, the Colorado Rapids have won a game. For the first time this MLS season, the Rapids have won a home game. The Soccer Gods did not allow the weather or FC Dallas to ruin Drew Moor’s induction into the Gallery of Honor. A lucky bounce followed by a Braian Galván Panenka of all things, and the Burgundy Boys got it done.”

Soon thereafter, the Colorado’s largest fireworks display commenced to delight of the Rapids faithful. Joan was all smiles.

Rebound:

Joan’s recovery has been underwritten in part by her grit and determination, love and support from her immediate family, too many friends to count, and certainly the Rapids organization. 

The Rapids stepped up when they had learned from her nephew Ross Ollom and girlfriend, Brianne Dickerson that she had taken ill.

The team’s Communications Director, Omar Gonzalez, took immediate charge. With his colleagues in the Community Relations Department, they put together a lovely gift basket for Joan to enjoy in her hospital suite. Community Relations Coordinator, Teagan Malecha made the surprise delivery. Joan said, “I was over the top delighted with the presents and visit. It was so kind and thoughtful for the Club to think of me.”

At the same time, the first team had a jersey prepared with her last name embossed on the back, along with the number 96.

One of Joan’s biggest fans, Cole Bassett, insisted on holding it up in the starting lineup photograph ahead of the match. The C38 Support Group also proudly displayed a Keep Fighting On tifo that Ross and Brianne had prepared. A replica of it is now on display in her residence..

From there on out, a warm Rapids’ blanket, a gifted iPad with get well video clips from players and staff, an Apple TV MLS Season Pass subscription, and Altitude Sports Radio broadcasters, Conor Cape and Brian Crookham, have kept her up to date and marching forward.

Uberfan:

Since the 2010 season, Dobrzynski has been a devoted fan. She even attended the Rapids MLS Cup Champion celebration that was held in downtown Denver. There she got hooked. Soon thereafter, she started to buy budget friendly Groupon tickets until she became a full-fledged season ticket holder. 

She has even grown to become an active member of the all inclusive and caring C38 Supporters’ Group.

One day in 2011, on a whim, Joan crashed practice session at DICK’S. Why? “In order to fill-up some of my retirement hours,” she told the Burgundy Wave in an exclusive interview. 

At a training session she met two local veteran youth soccer coaches in Mark Johnson and Allan Reid. The duo were on site observing practices and taking notes for their girls team’s practice sessions. They are also walking encyclopedias of local and international football knowledge.

The trio quickly became another version of the Three Musketeers and pals. They have attended nearly all of the Rapids’ practices for years.  

Joan keeps notes in a very orderly fashion like an engineer, in an Excel spreadsheet. Just ask her a question about a player’s salary, their hometown, college affiliation, and nickname, and she can pull it up in a matter of seconds.

It is at these practices that Joan developed close relationships with many coaches, staff and players, in particular Moor.

Moor’s generosity really impressed her when he learned that Reid’s birthday was coming up. Moor had the team sign a soccer ball and then delivered it in-person to him during an in stadium practice that they were soaking up.

Recently, Pauline Hallock joined the group and has become one of Joan’s closest friends. She was a classmates of Coach Johnson back in the days when they attended DPS South High School. Hallock has become a super fan, too. Joan has been coaching her about the laws of the game, tactics, MLS play, all the players and certainly the history of the team. They are two peas in a pod.

To that end, Dobrzynski’s lovely daughter, Christina, was a schoolmate of Rapid’s great, Connor Casey, at South High. Casey led the boy’s team into the Colorado State High School playoffs. Joan became one of his biggest fans when he turned pro, and really enjoyed the connection he had with her daughter’s alma mater.

Christina has been Joan’s primary care giver since the spring. She has traveled thousands of miles to be by her mom’s side. Her love has helped Joan persevere through these trying months.

We at the Burgundy Wave and all of our readers wish Joan continued recovery and good health. We can’t wait to see her to lift the ‘Fan of the Match’ support’s oar high over her head in  glorious victory after a future game!  Keep Fighting, Joni!

Photo Credit: John Babiak.

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