A Beacon of Unwavering Fandom: The "Sign Lady" Chronicles Her Hurricanes Journey
A Familiar Figure: The "Sign Lady"'s Game Day Ritual
Sue Bohnsack is a well-recognized presence at Carolina Hurricanes home games, earning the nickname "Sign Lady" from many fans. For her, attending these events is pure enjoyment, a ritual she shares with her husband at every home game. Armed with a blank poster board, she consistently crafts a new design for each occasion. While the visuals of her signs change, the core message remains steadfast: unwavering support for the Hurricanes.
The Creative Process: Crafting Messages of Support
Bohnsack's signs often catch the attention of television cameras during warmups. She makes a point of inviting young fans to stand beside her, ensuring they too get a moment in the spotlight on the jumbotron. The excitement of unveiling a fresh sign is a highlight for both her and the audience. At home, Bohnsack provides insight into the meticulous creative process behind her impactful signs. Each design is thoughtfully conceived with the upcoming opponent in mind, either celebrating her team's strengths or playfully targeting the opposition.
From Idea to Artwork: The Collaborative Effort
With assistance from her husband and a specialized cutting machine, Bohnsack transforms her imaginative concepts into polished posters. As the hockey season intensifies, she notes that her latest creations carry an even greater significance, reflecting the heightened stakes of the games. For a recent match against Las Vegas, she ingeniously designed a slot machine-themed sign, replacing traditional fruit symbols with Hurricanes motifs, all culminating in the message "Canes win." She already has another distinct design brewing for the next game.
A Lifelong Devotion: Beyond the Signs
Bohnsack's tradition of sign-making began five years ago, but her profound dedication to the team spans decades. Her home boasts a dedicated room, a veritable shrine to the Hurricanes, filled with memorabilia meticulously collected over many years. She proudly showcases items like a piece from 2006, when she and her husband had the privilege of touching the Stanley Cup.
A Treasure Trove of Hurricanes History
Her extensive collection includes autographed sticks, pucks, photographs, bobbleheads, and even a lamp shaped like the Stanley Cup. She points out various cherished items, such as gloves signed by prominent players like Jordan Martinook and Jordan Staal, and a team-signed helmet. Her passion extends to an impressive array of team apparel, with jerseys and sweatshirts representing different eras of her fandom.
Embracing the Future: A Champion's Spirit
Bohnsack, now retired from her career as a teacher and a three-time cancer survivor, continues to channel her boundless energy into supporting the Hurricanes. As the team embarks on a new chapter, she eagerly anticipates what the future holds, convinced that this season is their year to claim the Stanley Cup. For Bohnsack, the narrative of her fandom unfolds with each game and every sign, as she fervently cheers on the Hurricanes, fueled by the hope of a championship victory.
