As Portland Trail Blazers star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge ponders possible destinations with free-agency approaching, diehard fan JoAnna Wulffenstein is determined to show him how much he means to this city. An Oregon native, Wulffenstein spent the past ten years living in Alaska, but moved back home for many reasons, among them the opportunity to be closer to the Blazers and to convince Aldridge to stay with her beloved franchise.
As a result of her never-give-up attitude, she is the sole organizer of the upcoming “Stay LA Rally”, which will be held Saturday, June 28 at Noon at Blitz Ladd on SE 11th Ave.
“I want it to be hosted by the fans and attended by the fans,” she says. “I want him to really see that we’ve done all of this individually as a fanbase, without the franchise, without anybody else pushing us, that we want him here.”
Open to fans of all ages, the Stay LA Rally will feature an array of Aldridge-related events. Videographer Thom Roholt will be filming fans in attendance who desire to leave messages for Aldridge, while Trail Blazers official DJ OG One will DJ the rally. In addition, there will be a Most-Like-LA Shot Contest, with an assortment of prizes for the fans who best mirror his trademark mid-range jumper, as well as a social media contest for the best tweets and Instagram posts including the hashtag #StayLA. Fans will also be treated to a food package called “The Aldridge” and “Stay LA” T-shirts will be given out to the first 100 fans in attendance.
Wulffenstein came up with the idea earlier this summer and quickly put this plan into action.
“One day, three or four weeks ago, I just decided okay, I cannot let him go without a fight. I have to do everything in my power possible to get him to stay. And then if he decides to go I’ll still cry for days, but at that point I will know I have done everything possible.”
The date of the rally is strategic on her part. “I want it to be the last big thing he’s thinking about before free agency begins on July 1st.” Wulffenstein understands Aldridge’s desire to test the market and in turn push the Blazers, but sees this rally as a way to affect his thought process.
“Someone, somewhere, is going to get wind of it and it’s going to get back to him. And all I want him to know is that we care. I want him to say, ‘Oh my gosh, they put this much of an effort to show me that they love me and want me here.’”
Wulffenstein hopes the rally will elicit this reaction from Aldridge. But this isn’t just about a fan’s desire to retain a star. It’s more personal than that.
“I think a lot of it truly has to do with the fact it’s nostalgic for me. My dad passed away and that was our thing. I really loved growing up and watching the games with him, and it just makes me feel a little bit closer to him, I guess. It’s more than just a sport or a basketball team to me. There’s a very emotional connection.”
She jokes that her passion for the Blazers may necessitate psychiatric help, but it’s no laughing matter that the possibility of his departure has created a great deal of stress.
“Before, you know, of course Aldridge is going stay in Portland forever, of course he wants to be the best Blazer ever. Then all of these rumors started piling up that he was going to go, and I started getting real anxiety about it.”
Wulffenstein hopes that fear doesn’t come to fruition, and firmly believes fans can make a difference.
“This is a way for all of them to be involved, regardless. I really think that every person who comes will, for the rest of their lives, get to claim, if he stays, that they were part of his decision. Take that credit. Why not come to this party we are throwing and be part of Blazers franchise history?”
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