Get to Know: Brian Zielke, Virginia Knappen founder

How did you become a Schalke fan? What as the first game you ever watched?

“I was an American kid from German parents, so for me growing up my family didn’t watch very much soccer – and there wasn’t much available, anyway. But when I went to college, I was able to watch something Premier League games. That was all we had. When we went to Germany over the summer, I would visit my Opa who was a coalminer in the area. He was a Schalke 04 fan and watched Bundesliga all the time. That’s where I was exposed to the club and German soccer. My real love for the club came later, when my kids started to play and they were interested in their Opa’s favorite team.”

What’s it like supporting Schalke in Virginia? How did you start your own fan group?

“It came to be because of the relationships with and the love for the club that I had. I have a lot of involvement in youth soccer here, so it was a joy to connect with parents and have them first learn about Schalke 04. We’re in Leesburg – a little farther out from DC – so not as many people are deeply invested in international clubs and leagues. It was special to connect with parents who were learning for the club for the first time. We were able to get them to come to events when we didn’t have games, and we could gather at the Doner Bistro for Schalke matches. It’s nice to make that place our home and watch games with parents that we’ve known for awhile.”

What makes your home, the Doner Bistro, special?

“They always have a room for us. They moved from a cute space downtown – which we loved – but they never had enough space. Now they have a larger place, larger club room, and can support a couple of our youth teams at the same time. We can use them for events, and we still meet there when we can. Timo, the owner, is a huge Schalke fan and native to the area, so he makes the place very special to go to events for. His wife is from the Dusseldorf area as well, so it has a very authentic vibe to it. They’re great people who have a great place to be.”

What do you love about the club, what makes it special?

“There’s a lot of clubs that have a nice story – Schalke are on, with coal mining and the work ethic of the local team. But, what’s different for me are the people. The club is built on the foundation of so many incredible people, some of which I’ve gotten to meet and work alongside. I’ve read Norbert Elgert’s book, studied their coaches. These are people who have a great passion for youth and raising good youth; and they don’t just say it, they do it.Even in America, there are clubs that say things but they turn around and winning in the club is more important than the player, working with people and raising great people. Schalke’s coaches have done it with us, and they continue to, and that it is so special. A lot of talent has come through the academy, and what Norbert and the club do by not only raising good soccer players, but good people is incredible. Factor that into the rest of the club, and it’s one of a kind. They really are incredible people. I know my son loves Timo Becker, and he’s a great person. I’ve met him, and I can tell that’s he’s that kind of person. Malik Thiaw, too.

Schalke is about raising good people in life. That’s bred from the coal mining tradition – you’re all in it together. It’s a wonderful story, but even better as a tradition and a way of life.

What is your favorite Schalke 04 game that you have watched?

“It’s very hard to pick, but in December of 2019 there was a match soon after the last coal mine closed in Gelsenkirchen. Before the match there was a very touching tribute to the occasion, with the supporters singing in full voice. That was a moment that really struck to the heart of the club and its roots. It was a booming song that the coal mining choir had as well and pulled at the heart strings.”

Who is your favorite player that has played for Schalke?

“That’s a hard question. There are lot of heroes that come to mind. Höwedes sticks out as a great player and person, as well as Ralf Färhman who still gives everything he has to the team.

However, I always gravitate to a lot of younger players; I’m more into seeing great youth come up and hope that they do well in life, especially when they are good people. Becker and Thiaw stand out recently. They have great families and were raised well. There’s hope for both of them, and I hope they go on to do great things.”

Why do you recommend people support Schalke?

“I personally can’t stand it when people go for the easy choice of a club. It’s easy to be a Barcelona or Real Madrid fan, and give it a few years that same person will go to another team. That’s not the way it is with loving a sport. Loving a club, the culture behind it, the players that come out of it and where they go. All of that passion; that is why I support Schalke. You’re in for the fight, no matter the division or the competition. Wherever we go it’s a fight, and you love your club and you’re behind your club. It’s a way of life, good bad or indifferent. You go on and you do your best all the time. That really is when you are a true soccer fan.”