Young Grain Valley Fan enjoys epic Comets Meet and Greet for his birthday

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

Flip and Laura Courter are always thinking of ways to create special moments for their children, Casen and Caffrey.

And it doesn't get better than the fun the Courter family had Sunday afternoon at Cable Dahmer Arena where the Kansas City Comets completed their five-game series with cross-state rival St. Louis with a thrilling 8-5 victory in which the hometown heroes scored five goals in the fourth quarter to wrap up a 4-1 record this season against the Ambush.

Casen, four of his friends, Caffrey and mom and dad not only watched the game, but had first-class access to a players' autograph session after the the big win.

"We asked Casen what he wanted to do for his birthday and he said he wanted to go to the Comets," Flip said. "And the Comets are so great to work with. We've been to so many games this season, when I called and asked about buying eight tickets, I got a call from (Comets vice president of sales) Brian Roth, and he asked me how he could help. Now, that's pure class.

"He got us eight tickets, four in one row and four behind those seats - which makes it so much easier to visit during the game - and had the time of our lives. He also helped us get on the turf early, so we could meet the players."

No professional sports team based in the metro area gives its fans a greater opportunity to meet the players than the Comets.

I've been around a long time, and I remember when the Comets - led by the iconic duo of Enzo DiPede and Gino Schiraldi - played in front of a sold-out crowd at Kemper Arena, then partied with the fans afterwards.

Now, the players circle the turf and sign postgame autographs and pose for photos. Following Sunday's game, Comets players from the good ol' days joined the modern day Comets and they signed autographs at midfield.

"This is great!" said DiPede, who was on the field with his wife Kris and granddaughters Sofia and Mila. "The players are having as much fun as the fans. My granddaughters follow the team, and know most of the players, and they're getting the players and the cheerleaders to sign their shirts."

Sofia then showed her grandfather her autographed shirt.

"Players autographs on the front and the cheerleaders on the back," Sofia said, jumping with excitement. "I love tonight! And we met Zach (Reget). He's so nice."

When Casen told Zach Reget that he was his favorite player, the all-star forward responded, "Casen, you're my favorite fan. You know what? I've never told that to a fan before. You are my favorite fan!"

Both shared ear-to-ear grins as they posed for a photo.

Christian Anderaos, whose nickname is the Tazmanian Devil, went out of his way to make the Courter family feel special. He signed for them before other fans joined the players on the turf, and followed up by taking a group picture with Casen, his family and friends.

"I cannot do what I love - play soccer - without our fans," Anderaos said. "We love our fans as much as they love us, and we all love to come out and meet them, sign some autographs and pose for photos. Winning the game, and meeting our fans make the night even more special."

Flip and his family met Comets coach Stefan Stokic Saturday night at my retirement party at the Grain Valley Community Center, and they met again Sunday after the game.

"Coach Stokic had so many nice things to say Saturday night and Sunday after the game," Flip said. "He's the coach of one of the most successful teams in the league, and made time to visit with both days. He is a class act - as are all the players."

Another highlight of the game came when the Comets received the I-70 Series Cup, for claiming the most wins in the series against the Ambush.

"Caffrey got a lot of pictures, too," Flip added, "including one with the trophy. She was having as much fun as Casen."

Following the big night, Casen was worn out.

"It was so much fun, but I'm tired," Casen said. "My mom and dad are so great for taking me and my sister to fun things like the Comets game. And it was so cool when Zach told me that I was his favorite fan. That was one of the best things that happened that night."

Thank you to owner Brian Budzinski, Brian Roth and all the players who made the young fans feel so special. 

Who says good guys don't finish first? The Comets organization is full of good guys - and all they do is win - on and off the turf.

This is a collage of all the Kansas City Comets players Casen Courter, the son of Grain Valley High School teacher and softball coach Flip Courter, met on his 11th birthday Sunday afternoon at Cable Dahmer Arena, including Christian Anderaos, Rian Marques, Zach Reget, Phillip Ejimadu, Chad Vandegriffe and Nicolau Neto. A tip of the hat to the Comets organization for allowing moments like this to happen in a young fan's life. Photo credit: Laura Courter