The Burnt River Browns Backers of Mentor, Ohio have only been around since September 2008, but have quickly become one of the most active and recognized Browns Backers clubs. They were one of the three clubs to win the 2008 Grant Competition and were honored as club of the month in March 2009. Membership has rapidly grown in the club’s short history. The club currently has 369 members and hopes to continue to grow and spread their love of the Browns.
There is no offseason for Burnt River. This year, the club celebrated all three days of the draft. They hosted a Draft Day Party at their game day viewing location, the Hooley House. Some club members participated in the Muni Lot draft day tailgate. On the third day of the draft, many members attended the official Cleveland Browns Draft Day Party.
Club members also attended a Muni Lot tailgate on the first day of the draft. Many members could be found at the local Harry Buffalo for the official Cleveland Browns Draft Day Party on the final day of the draft.
The club also recently held a tailgate party and meet and greet with 
One of the club’s main goals is to interact with as many Browns Backers clubs as possible. They try to involve other clubs in all of their activities, as well as attend other clubs’ events. Club President, Bob Hostutler said, “We’re non-compete. We’re all family.”
During the season, the club can be found one of two places on Sundays. If the Browns are home, the club is tailgating in the Muni Lot, before making their way into the stadium. Many of the club members are long time season ticket holders. For road games, the club meets at the Hooley House to cheer on the team. The club also makes an annual road trip. Last year’s destination was Detroit for the Southeast Michigan Browns Backers Motor City weekend.
Cheering the Browns is only one part of the Burnt River club. Hostutler said another one of the club’s main goals is to be active in the community. The last two years the club has donated stuffed toys to children at a local hospital during the holidays. The club raises money throughout the year with raffles and silent auctions.
Burnt River plans to continue being active in the community, expanding its membership, promoting the Browns and Browns Backers Worldwide, and bringing together clubs. A Browns alumni meet and greet is currently in the works.
To learn more about the Burnt River Browns Backers, visit their website at http://www.burntriver.org/
Browns Backers Worldwide would like to thank the Burnt River Browns Backers for all of their hard work and dedication. To nominate your club for Club of the Month honors, please tell your club president to email us at BBWNews@clevelandbrowns.com and request a Club of the Month application.
