The Packers FAN Hall of Fame's search for its 15th honoree will quickly come to an end. The nomination process, which began Nov. 26, is ending a week from today on Friday, Dec. 21.
The first professional football team to have a hall of fame, the Green Bay Packers enhanced that distinction in 1998 by establishing a Packers FAN Hall of Fame. It was founded for the purpose of annually honoring a devout and longtime Packers fan.
Fans who haven't done so already are being asked to nominate themselves, a relative or friend for the honor in an essay of 500 words or less, describing the merits of the nominee. Each nomination should be accompanied by a photo – a copy of the original photo should be submitted in case of damage or loss.
New this year, the nominating and voting process will take place entirely online. Nominations should be submitted to the Packers website at http://nfl.packers.com/fanzone/fan-hall-of-fame/. Fans without internet access can still mail their nominations to: Green Bay Packers FAN Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628, or drop them off at the Lambeau Field Atrium (1265 Lombardi Avenue).
The 10 finalists who best represent the spirit of the Packers will be chosen later this month by the Packers FAN Hall of Fame selection committee. Voting for the 10 finalists will begin Jan. 28, 2013.
During the voting process, Packers fans will be asked to vote for one of the 10 finalists whose stories will be profiled on Packers.com. The winner will be selected by three different groups of people: Fans (50 percent), the Packers' committee (30 percent) and previous honoree votes (20 percent).
The fan receiving the most votes will become the 15th honorary fan to be recognized in the Packers FAN Hall of Fame.
The honoree's selection will be announced in spring 2013. He or she will receive four club seats to a 2013 Packers home game; a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift certificate; a road trip for two to a 2013 Packers away game, including game ticket, air fare and hotel accommodation; and a one-year subscription to Packer Plus.
The honoree also will have his or her name permanently displayed in a place of honor in the Packers Hall of Fame.
Past honorees include: (1999) Mel Knoke, Appleton, Wis.; (2000) Louis Gardipee, Black River Falls, Wis.; (2001) Ed Jablonski, Wausau, Wis.; (2002) Paul Mazzoleni, Green Bay; (2003) Wanda Boggs, Brookfield, Wis.; (2004) Sister Isaac Jogues Rousseau, Milwaukee; (2005) Dorothy Hanke, Milwaukee; (2006) Kathy Lazzaro, Milwaukee; (2007) Rich Barbera, River Vale, N.J; (2008) Richard 'Ike' Eisenhauer, Wauwatosa, Wis.; (2009) Allan Hale, Green Bay; and (2010) Jim Becker, Racine, Wis.; (2011) Tom Little, Mount Sterling, Ill.; and (2012) Rick Steele, Greensburg, Pa.
The FAN Hall of Fame sponsors are Mattress Firm and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
