Kevin Johnston

IndyStar correspondent

Eleven vs. Rayo OKC, 7:30 p.m., WISH-TV

INDIANAPOLIS — In other sports, they’re just fans. In soccer, they’re called supporters. In Indianapolis, you might as well refer to them as co-founders, too.

The Brickyard Battalion (or BYB), the official supporters group of the Indy Eleven, existed even before the club, and played a pivotal role in bringing professional soccer back to the Circle City.

“I think we have the best supporters in the league, hands down,” said central midfielder Brad Ring, who as one of three original Eleven members still on the roster has a deep-rooted appreciation for the BYB. “I think credit goes to them for the team even being here.”

The BYB celebrated its fifth anniversary Aug. 3, a date coinciding with the launch of the Racing Indy FC for MLS Facebook page in which several BYB members were involved. When the BYB started up as the supporters group for a non-existent team, the initial endgame was a Major League Soccer franchise. But a little research by BYB treasurer Justin Wiese – along with plenty of persistence – led the group of avid soccer fans to a more practical direction: the North American Soccer League.

“I sent emails to everybody. Back then it was (about) $3 million to get in the NASL, and the owner had to be worth (about) $20 million,” Wiese said. “Anybody inside Indianapolis and inside Indiana that fit that bill, they got an email from me, I can guarantee you.”

Everyone but Keystone Realty Group and Keystone Construction president and CEO Ersal Ozdemir, apparently. Luckily, one frequent target of Wiese’s more personalized emails was then-NASL Commissioner David Downs, who knew Ozdemir.

“The other ones were just kind of emails to people with money,” Wiese said. “But to David Downs, it was like, ‘Hey, this is going to happen. I need to know what we can do as an organization to make this happen.’ ”

Wiese’s eagerness paid off. Downs reached out to Ozdemir, who ultimately became owner of the Eleven. Downs, Ozdemir, former Eleven President Peter Wilt, BYB members and others then began meticulously coordinating the details of bringing pro soccer back to Indy.

“I was in meetings with Peter Wilt where there would be five of us in a bar trying to get people excited about what was happening,” said BYB president Joshua Mason. “And that five became seven, that seven became 15, 15 became 50.”

Coincidentally, Mason already knew of Ozdemir from playing locally in “old man soccer leagues” – as he jokingly described them – but had no clue what Ozdemir did for a living until Downs proved the perfect middleman, despite living out of state.

Five years and 3,000-plus registered members later, the Brickyard Battalion is so beloved that the group has become the envy of Indianapolis Colts All-Pro punter and part-time comedian Pat McAfee.

"Watching this Indy Eleven game ... How do we get the Brickyard Battalion in Lucas Oil Stadium this year? I love their energy," McAfee tweeted last season.

But perhaps no one appreciates the supporters group more than the Eleven players themselves – who at times have gotten up close and personal with the rambunctious BYB.

After the Eleven won this year's spring season championship in June, members of the BYB flooded the field to celebrate.

“It was a pretty cool experience as a player. To experience that joy, not only with your team, but also the fans that have had our back for 2½ years,” Ring said of his favorite BYB moment.

For midfielder Don Smart, who like Ring is an original Eleven player, his top BYB memory is after the team won its first home game in 2014.

"The whole entire stadium ran on the field. I was really kind of scared, but then again I wasn’t," Smart said, "(The BYB has) been a major impact since day one. Since I’ve been here, they’ve been cheering on the team win, lose or draw. They always give us motivation to go into the next game.”

And how did the Eleven commemorate the BYB's fifth-anniversary last week? By scoring five goals, of course, in yet another win – something that has become more prevalent these days after a rough first two seasons. Indy is riding a 12-match home unbeaten streak, dating back to October, and hope to extend that Saturday against Rayo OKC.

But thick or thin, rain or shine, the Brickyard Battalion will be there – in the west end of Carroll Stadium – cheering like proud parents at graduation. After all, this spring champion Indy Eleven club is their child, too.