http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_026223827.html
Bears fans organize buses to Super Bowl
Crystal Garcia
The Tribune-Star
When John Skupien, 21, and AJ Barthold, 25, of Chicago made a pact at Thanksgiving to go to Miami if the Chicago Bears made it to the Super Bowl, they didn’t know how they would get there.
As it became more of a possibility that the Bears would make it, they started brainstorming about what to do. That’s when Barthold envisioned some type of ride share, Skupien said.
Now, the two are organizing “Super Bowl Shuttles,” two buses headed to Miami, with one bus for Bears fans leaving from Chicago and one bus for Indianapolis Colts fans leaving from Indianapolis.
For more information or to reserve a spot on a bus, visit www.SellChamp.com.
“Join your fellow fans for a wild and crazy ride to the biggest game of the year!” the home page states.
About 25 people signed up for each bus, which hold up to 55 people apiece, Barthold said.
“Most of us aren’t going to the game actually,” he said. “We’re just going for the atmosphere.”
Since Skupien, a sports management major, attends the University of Indianapolis, he is in charge of the Colts bus.
He said that while he’s a Colts fan, too, “It’s Bears all the way.”
A round-trip ticket on one of the buses is $150 per person. Riders are responsible for their own meals, lodging and tickets to the game, Barthold said.
Buses leave Feb. 2 and return Feb. 5. The trip to Miami will be a straight-through drive because there are two drivers for each bus, Barthold said.
“Not everybody has $400 for a plane ticket,” he said. “ … It’s bringing people together.”
People also can find tickets to the game, plane tickets and hotel rooms, rental cars and the best bars in Miami on the site.
“It’s going to be an amazing atmosphere [in Miami],” Skupien said.
Both buses have televisions, air conditioning and a bathroom. Playoff games featuring respective teams will be played on the bus during the ride, Skupien said.
Although no one from Terre Haute has planned to take one of the buses yet, Barthold said anyone is welcome.
“It would make for a more interesting trip,” he said.
Also on each bus will be a documentary crew to film the experience of more than 50 strangers taking an almost 24-hour trip for the same reason. Footage from each bus will be put together to make one film, he said.
Barthold said he’s also trying to get former players of each team on the buses, but hasn’t had any luck yet.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said. “You’re going to be with your fellow fans.”
Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or crystal.garcia@tribstar.com.
Btw, I'm AJ
