ABOUT US - San Diego Browns Backers

OUR STORY

BACKERS HISTORY

Where do we start?…. A long time ago, in The Land far away—was a team. Always competitive and they were World Champions 5 times in their first 15 years in the NFL. Then a loser bought the team and ruined it, finally moving to Baltimore. Our team was resurrected in 1999, and we still follow them every Sunday. We’re from all over Ohio. We gather every game day in our NEW church of the NFL — The Jolly Joker Tavern, 5225 Kearney Villa Rd., San Diego (next to Sonic Drive-In).

So, whether you’re from Cleveland, Ohio, or you inherited the Browns gene from a parent, spouse (ex-spouse—hey, it happens) or a DNA transplant—join us every week to watch our beloved Cleveland Browns. Good food, cold beer, and everyone is welcome (except people from Pittsburgh) to share in all things Browns. Gather for the game, stay for the fun, and share in the camaraderie. Go Browns!!

CLUB LEADERS

MEET OUR TEAM

Mike Zarconi

Fearless Leader (Retired/Moved)

Originally from the Akron area (Bath Twp), Mr. Zarconi is a motorcycle driving lawyer by day and is married to a Broncos fan, Brooke (but we love her). They have an adorable little girl (think Browns cheerleader) Sofia, who has been raised at our viewing locations (proper parenting). Right before this season began, they moved back to the Canton area to be close to family. We thank Mike for his years of service leading our Club.

Mike McSweeney

Fearless Leader

Originally from the Cleveland area (Lakewood), Mr. McSweeney is heading towards retirement and is teaching young people of the possibilities of careers in the construction industry---good paying job without college debt. His children were given the Browns gene at birth. In his spare time, he restores cars and plays bass/sings in his old man garage band. He wears # 25, as it’s his birthdate.
*Photo taken on the field after Browns win over Bills,
TNF-10/3/2013

Matt Tompkins

Asst. Fearless Leader - Wingman

Originally from the Cleveland area (Heights) Mr. Tompkins is a Technical Editor at Mitchell International and is also known as grandpa to his grandchild Sofia. In his spare time, he drinks beer, plays basketball and knows things. He monitors our Facebook page and has a wicked sense of humor. He’s an all-around Cleveland fan!

Terry “TJ” Horn

The Voice - aka DogFather

You’ll know TJ when he leads the group in the Browns cheer before kick-off…here we go Brownies, here we go! TJ is from Cleveland Ohio and married to the lovely Pandora. He’s a veteran and works as a federal employee at North Island where he repairs multi-million dollar military aircraft. He owns a unique selection of Browns jerseys and lives overlooking Lake Cuyamaca near Julian (don’t call him a mountain man).

Brian Scherrer

Cybersecurity

A native of Lorain Ohio, Mr. Scherrer found his way to sunny San Diego via the US Navy. A 20 year veteran (thank you for your service) Brian teaches sailors the ins and outs of the IT world. He’s been married for 23 years (forever) and has a son who is an academic (and Browns fan) and is pursuing his PhD at UCLA (on a full ride scholarship!) in Ancient Persian History. Brian helps with our raffle and keeps Al Queda from infiltrating our website. In his spare time Brian is a fitness junkie (we hate that about him), loves to debate politics, history and popular culture (6 straight Comic-Con appearances) and he’s “whipped” (according to Mrs S.) by his brown and orange cats.

Kevin Rieke Jr.

Merchandise

Kevin was a Cleveland native until age 5 when his family moved to LA. He relocated from San Diego to the Calabasas area of LA for work in June. A long-time entrepreneur, Kevin has helped create some of our totally original & cool T shirt designs and has helped with our raffles. He’s a single dad to his 22 yr. old daughter Aubrey and follows all Cleveland sports teams. He’s our unofficial, in-house beer connoisseur and bears a strong resemblance to Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw (Google it).

President’s Message (2022)

View Message

If you’re reading this, you bleed Orange & Brown. According to Browns coach, Kevin Stefanski, YOU matter! Welcome to the Dawg Pound West—The Jolly Joker Tavern!!!

I want to take a minute and thank you for sticking with us during the last years! We all suffered by not being able to enjoy the first winning season in over a decade together in 2020 because of Covid. Capped by an awesome of a playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. How epic was that? Covid killed the old Elbow Room and we ended up in Downtown San Diego for the 2021-22 season.

So here we are, back in our newly remodeled home, the Jolly Joker Tavern. While we’ll miss the old Elbow Room, we look forward to working with our new hosts Amber, Mike and their manager, Dan Johns.

The San Diego Browns Backers are here to help provide you with that sense of home. Back in the CLE-- stadium hot dogs with that special mustard, that cold wind off Lake Erie, the snow, the rust on your car, the gray skies, the Great Lakes beer…..Enough!

We live in San Diego! While our heart is in Cleveland, we are all fortunate to have landed here in America’s Finest City. We seek to give you that feeling of being home-- surrounded by friends and family as we cheer on our favorite football team—The Cleveland Browns! Please feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions on how we can make your game watching experience better. This year we’ve got new T shirts, a great Grand Prize for each raffle and we’re bringing in Great Lakes Beer again!! All proceeds from our raffle drawings and T shirt sales goes to the Cleveland Browns Foundation. Our goal is to exceed our 2021 donation of $3,500. We’d like to raise $5,000 in 2022! Buy as many raffle tickets as you can afford knowing that even if you don’t win, you’re helping kids back in Cleveland.

Finally, we ask that you treat the Jolly Joker Tavern like you would your own home. Treat the staff with kindness and respect. If you’re at a table with open seats, invite a Browns fan to sit with you—make a new friend (hell, they like the Browns so they can’t be all bad!). Amber & Mike, the owners, want everyone to have a good time while earning a living. We appreciate their hospitality and as our hosts, we want to make sure our friends and fans don’t get outta hand.

If you see someone causing trouble or being rude, crude and socially unacceptable, let me know or one of my fearless leaders know, so we can diffuse the situation. We want your time at our Dawg Pound to be an awesome experience. So, raise a glass and Go Browns!!!

Michael McSweeney
SDBB--Fearless Leader
619-884-5354