Chicago Connection was buzzing tonight with the crowd that came for Coach Rice’s welcome event. Walking into the restaurant I was greeted by a smiling employee and handed a ticket for a free slice of pizza. Making my way to the back, I took in the energy from the environment;  tantalizing smells of pizza, tables of people laughing, and bronco spirit was evident by the many blue and orange clad customers.  Walking into the back of the restaurant I found a half dozen young people carefully crafting pizzas and baking them. The back of their shirts read “Eat, Sleep, Pizza”. The lighthearted atmosphere was welcoming, there was a sense of camaraderie as the team of employees worked towards filling the steady stream of orders that were coming in.

I couldn’t help but notice a group of young kids bussing tables and helping bring out drinks to the customers. I came to learn that these were the new coaches’ young children. They had donned aprons and were helping bus tables and bring drinks out to the tables.This place was not just serving pizza, they have created a family environment. Chicago Connection not only serves delicious pizza, but they connect with the community and did a great job at welcoming the new BSU basketball coaches to the valley.