Fan Hall of Fame

(Photo courtesy of the Green Bay Press Gazette)

We had a big day planned today. The Packer Fan Hall of Fame winner was being announced, we had the WAPL Christmas party to attend and packing had to be done for our early flight to St Louis via Chicago tomorrow morning.

I’m going to write about the Christmas party in a separate entry ‘cause the day and the night today were so very different.

I did a follow up interview with the guys at KTYD 99.9 in San Bernadino this morning before the day could get underway. This was cool as it was a Christmas follow up where they brought back some of the guests they had had during the year that their listeners enjoyed hearing. It makes doing different interviews all over the place worthwhile when they call you back unannounced to be on again.

Once that was done and I was back in the real world of being able to watch the boys, Kelly was off to get some Christmas shopping out of the way. Santa had called earlier on in the morning and asked for a little help as Ben and Luc had been such good boys all year long. How can you say no to Santa Claus right?

The Packer Fan Hall of Fame announcement was being made at 2pm so we were there at 145 as requested. It was nice to get a look at the press conference facilities during an actual press conference this time as there were a dozen news crews and photographers on hand to capture the moment. The last time I was in there, as lucky as I was, it was empty. This had a “real” feel to it today. All we needed was Brett to walk through the door and it would have been complete.

I wasn’t nervous about the announcement at all. Whilst it was something that would have been cool to win I had a funny feeling that despite the uniqueness of our story, the finalists that we were up against all had the history, the support and the hundreds of games seen to give us a good fight. More often than not it’s that type of story that wins out in the end so I approached the day more for the enjoyment of it than anything. 

When Richard “Ike” Eisenhauer was named the 10th inductee I will admit I was disappointed for about 1 second. That was mainly because I figured this; of all chances, would probably be our best. In saying that, as I watched Ike make his way from the top of the room to the bottom I was filled with anticipation as to what he might say and the stories he might share. At 74 years of age you just knew that whatever it was, it was going to be special.

He wasn’t quick on his feet, which to me was understandable. All of the games he had attended over the last 50 years had surely taken their toll.

Some of the stories that were shared in what little time he was able to talk to us were:

- He and his wife Alice, met during a blind date to a Packers game in the mid 50 years. They were married not long after.
- He has had his 4 season tickets since the 1957 season
- Ike and Alice have 9 children, just 2 short of the 11 required to take on the Chicago Bears as he would have liked
- Lombardi was such a feature in the Eisenhauer home that their first born, Dennis, believed that to be their surname for much of his childhood life
- Their second born, Paul, once cut his hand during a game but had to wait until halftime to have it attended to

This list goes on and so could I. These days Ike shares his tickets with his extended family and thanks to the toll his age has taken, tends to sit in his comfy chair, feet up, with a customary Mountain Dew and watch the Packers from home.

How could you be disappointed for any longer than a second when somebody who has seen so much, through the good times and bad is recognised like he was today? My dream came true on September 9th when I saw my first game against the Eagles. Ike’s dream came true today. 

All finalists were lucky enough to meet Bob Harlan and get a group photo with him which was great (above). I managed to hijack him on his way out to get one together while i still had the chance. As they say in the great Aussie film “The Castle” that pic’ll go “straight to the pool room”.

We were also taken out to the field to have a look around and get some more pictures with family and friends. This opportunity doesn’t come by very often so for me to have two go’s in the space of 5 weeks was very fortunate.

At that the contest was over and it was off home to put Luc to bed and enjoy a late lunch and regale in the fun of the day.

Again, I’d like to thank all of those that did vote during the nomination process. I received tons of support email and notes of good wishes. To all of those that have helped us not just through the competition but at any point during our extended stay, again Kelly and I say thank you. Awards are good, but being made to feel at home by complete strangers in a city that is new to us all is worth more than any recognition, plaque or prize that could have been sent our way.