Abstract:
The Brickyard Battalion’s Influence on Civic Pride and Involvement is a qualitative creative
project that looks at civic passion for Indianapolis through the lens of soccer, the local club, Indy
Eleven, and the local supporter group The Brickyard Battalion. The project aims to understand
the Brickyard Battalion’s effect on civic pride and engagement of its members as they cheer on
their club, Indy Eleven using traditional supporter group subculture methods from across the
world. The project briefly explores the history of global supporter group cultures and how that
translates to the United States supporters group culture such as the following. Why do
supporters cultures attach themselves to civic symbols and community engagement? What
makes supporters group culture different from other traditional American sports fandom? This
paper researched what the Brickyard Battalion does to engage in civic pride and community,
and if the Brickyard Battalion influences its members to have more civic pride and be more
civically engaged due to the Brickyard Battalion’s way of supporting its club, Indy Eleven. In
conclusion, the Brickyard Battalion does not cause its members to become more passionate
about their community, or be civically involved, but rather attracts people who are already
engaged in that space.
