What is TCC?
- SUPPORTERS CLUB FOR ALL -
Strong Language - Civic Pride - Unwavering Support
What Exactly Is TCC?
Teal City Crew is more than a group of hockey fin-atics. We are the Loudest & Proudest, independent supporters club of the San Jose Sharks, a frenzy of diehard fans whose goal is to create a safe, fun,
& creative new atmosphere wherever we go. Whether we’re gathered at the Tank, over Zoom, or at one of our local watch parties, we’re out to show San Jose and the hockey world how enriching, and entertaining, it can be to enjoy our favorite game together. And it’s not only games!
These are just a few of the festivities Teal City Crew (that’s TCC to you) has held or taken part in recently:
- March to the Tank
- Watch parties at local bars/eateries
- Zoom watch parties
- Banner painting (yep, the banners you can see in the Tank)
- Street hockey games
- Road trips
- Recording Fins & Scarves, the TCC Podcast
- Volunteer opportunities
- EASHL NHL game nights
Whatever the activity may be, our goal is to help like-minded hockey fans find a place to belong. Here’s the good news: you don’t even need to be local to Silicon Valley! We’re beyond proud to share our TCC Regional Chapters, which help bring together Sharks fans outside of San Jose. Whether you’re here in California or even in another country--you can be a part of the Crew!
What IS A SUPPORTERS CLUB?
Haven't heard about supporter clubs in hockey? No worries! Groups like TCC are more commonly seen in European hockey as well in Soccer..but we’re here to change that.
Members of a supporters club are more than “regular everyday fans”. They’re fanatics and diehards who consider their club or team part of their lifestyle, whether or not they regularly attend games. Sometimes, these fans will rep their club just as much, if not more than, their team. Yep--that’s dedication.
No two supporter clubs are the same, and that’s the beauty of it. Some are large or financially self-sufficient, while others are smaller or receive support from the team they represent. In our case, we are an independent, ever-growing group that can provide both big energy and close friendships.
When it comes to inspiration, these are the supporter clubs we look up to:
- Timbers Army (Portland Timbers FC, MLS)
- The 3252 (LAFC, MLS)
- True North Elite (Minnesota United, MLS)
- Northern Guard Supporters (Detroit City FC, USL)
- The Curse (New Mexico United, USL)
- Supporters of FC St. Pauli (Bundesliga 2)
Why Scarves?
Regardless of league or sport, scarves have been the symbol of choice for supporters clubs for decades. They’re an easy way to represent your club, and they’re even easier to spot; so when you see a Teal City Crew scarf around the arena or city, you can know you’re a part of the same big teal family.
How do I Join
Come say hi! No really--it’s that easy.
Feel free to reach out over social media anytime. You can even check out our Discord page, which helps many of our members stay in touch--though not on topic-- between game days. We have Instagram, a Facebook group, and a Twitter to connect with, too.
Social media is great, but we highly recommend meeting up at a Sharks game for one of our (in)famous group photos...if you’re local of course! We meet during every 2nd intermission in the concourse of the Tank by sections 118/218. If you’re looking for us inside the arena where you sit, you’ll likely spot our banners over section 218.
We love and appreciate every single person who supports our causes, whether you purchase a TCC scarf or simply spread the word. Without the amazing folks who attend our events and tag us on social media, or whatever it is you’ve done with TCC, the club wouldn’t be possible! THANK YOU.
"WELL...I heard....."
As the saying goes, “If you have haters, you must be doing something right.”
We know not all publicity is positive, and we’re aware of the differing opinions around TCC. No matter who you are or what you do, it’s impossible to please everyone. We will be happy to acknowledge any concerns you have, or anything you may have heard around the Tank--just ask!
Let’s make one thing clear though, there is no room for intolerance here. Teal City Crew welcomes and embraces the diversity of all San Jose Sharks fans, including race, gender, sexuality, background, and more. Our Teal City Crew Code of Conduct is included below for more information.
- THE FUTURE OF TCC -
The future starts now...
The future starts now, with you!
At the beginning of 2020, we had a vision. We set out to personify our slogan: "San Jose's Loudest & Proudest" before our journey was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
We were able to chart a new course for the time being, though it was far from easy. We connected online to enjoy Sharks games and good company, we supported local businesses, and we learned more than we could fathom about the potential that TCC holds.
Heading deeper into 2022 and the post-pandemic future, we’d like to dedicate time and energy to these major focuses:
- Bringing fans from out of the immediate area together (via our interactive map, host chapter events)
- Learning what we can do to help strengthen our community right here in San Jose
Our first step into the future is to focus on making our existing chapters the best they can be. From there, we can build a great foundation to bring Sharks fans together anywhere in the world.
While we’re doing this, we hope to bring our local fans together as safely as possible. We’ll always have our home base at section 218 for every Sharks home game, though we’d love to see regular meetups outside of the Tank. Let us know what you’d like to be a part of!
Lastly, let’s talk hashtags. You may have seen #AgainstTheTide on some of our posts, and we welcome you to use it in yours, too. But what does it mean?
To swim against the tide is to embrace change. It’s challenging, even painful, but it gets you somewhere no one has gone before; and that’s what we want to do in hockey. We want to challenge generational traditions, to create our own, together, authentically with every single one of you.
As much as we love the sport, it’s very traditional. The NHL has not been a place of significant openness, whether it comes to embracing a diverse player population or even just arena experiences. We’re here to change that: bringing in chants, pre-game marches, and unconditional support for people of color as well as the LGBTQ+ community, who truly do belong in sports.
We hope you will join us on this journey into the future, because one thing has always been fact:
The Reef (218) - Road Trips - ESports - Even More Ruckus
Without you,
there's No Crew.
AS OF November 2021
TCC CODE OF CONDUCT
Teal City Crew's motto is "San Jose's Loudest & Proudest", and for good reason. But we strive to do our best to protect the name of Teal City Crew. Being a member of Teal City Crew at the Arena, on the road, at the chapter bar watching, or even online, you have a responsibility for yourself, and the group.
It means that you are one of the many faces of San Jose hockey. It means that you are a member of an organization committed to bringing San Jose's Loudest & Proudest together. It means you are a part of something bigger than yourself. How you conduct yourself in and outside the arena, at your chapter bars, and online, in your words and actions reflect on all of us.
Our Code goes against, but is not limited, to:
- Throwing any objects onto the ice or in the crowd during a game
- Leading, participating, and/or encouraging in inappropriate chants
- Physical harm or threats of physical harm to others
- Disrespectful and/or hateful speech online and offline
- Discrimination including: racism, sexism, homophobia, disrespect, and verbal assault
As TCC grows, so does our profile. The actions of a select few make us all look bad.
It is up to all of us to make sure that we act above, and to make sure others in and around Teal City Crew do the same. If you see individual members acting in way that violates our code of conduct, let them know, let us know, and please don’t participate in or encourage it. There is no excuse for watching something negative happen, and not intervening. Everyone must be held accountable for their individual actions and that means that there are no bystanders. Our strength comes from how we unite our fan base and not how we tear down fellow Sharks fans or opposing fans. We know that every one of you believes in passionately supporting the team, but there is a line that can not be crossed.
To be “San Jose's Loudest & Proudest”, we must protect the second word, Pride.
Slurs, derogatory language, physical harm and/or threats of physical harm towards anyone are completely unacceptable and will be dealt with in the strictest possible terms.
Any member of Teal City Crew who does not follow our Code of Conduct is subject to removal, or "ban" from the organization pending an investigation.
We reserve the right to report, deliberate, and exile any member for Their actions at, but not limited to:
- Home and road games
- in our Online communities (Facebook, Discord Server, Twitch account,etc)
- Watch parties
- ETC.
...that violates our Code of Conduct.
Additionally you will lose all the privileges of being a member of TCC (tickets, merchandise, etc) including access to TCC events & supporter section tickets.
We will report any actions to the San Jose Sharks ticketing staff to revoke all future ticket purchases to our sections. You are responsible for your own actions as we are responsible for protecting our organization and preserve the passionate positivity of our Tank culture.
Teal city Crew is a "safe space" for many, including LGBTQ+ community, those disabled/Special needs, and other recognized minority groups. If you can not support them, welcome them with open arms, or simply have a closed mind to "new concepts", you are not welcome within Teal City Crew. We have trans members. We have members with special needs. We have Muslim members. You aren't going to change our minds, and you aren't going to make our members uncomfortable or unwelcome at the tank, online, or at our regional chapters. Period. For those on-board, If you are able to protect your fellow fan, please do so.
If you believe a member of Teal City Crew, or someone attending a TCC event is not following our Code of Conduct, there are several ways to report an incident:
- Please alert a TCC leader, chapter leader or a SAP Center "BlueCoat" at SAP Center hockey events.
- Direct Message us on our various social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Note: If you believe a crime is occurring or has occurred please report it to the proper local authorities immediately.
TICKET SCALPING POLICY
TICKETS IN THE TCC SECTION MAY NOT BE SOLD FOR ADDITIONAL MARK-UP BEYOND THEIR FACE VALUE, OR SOLD FOR PRIVATE PROFIT. Because of any potential discounted ticket at TCC events, anyone attempting to resell tickets for more than face value is subject to having their membership revoked.
You may also face a possible lifetime ban from any form of membership.
Along with no longer being able to purchase future tickets, TCC will also forward your information
to the San Jose Sharks Front Office for review.
All tickets purchased in the Teal City Crew section from us, shall be resold at face value—no more, or lower.
As a member, I understand that if I attempt to sell a TCC ticket for above face value, purchase a ticket with the intention of reselling it above face value, TCC has the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to revoke your "membership" to TCC. Scalping is simply not part of our community, and we will do everything in our power to block it from taking place.
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If you disagree or can not meet these standards,
you're probably not the right fit for the Teal City Crew.