Wayne Larrivee, play-by-play voice of the Packers Radio Network, has been named emcee of the 39th Packers Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held the evening of July 18, 2009, in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Antonio Freeman and Dorsey Levens will become the newest members of the Hall that evening.
One of the most distinctive voices in radio play-by-play, Larrivee in 2009 will be calling his 11th season of Packers games. Prior to joining WTMJ and the Packers Radio Network in 1999, he handled play-by-play duties for the Chicago Bears for 14 seasons. Larrivee also called Chicago Cubs baseball and college basketball. Before that, Larrivee was the 'Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs,' from 1978-1984. He also has co-hosted the nationally syndicated Pro Football Weekly radio program for the past 21 years.
Larrivee also does broadcast work on the television side, calling NCAA basketball and regional Big Ten football and basketball broadcasts. He performed play-by-play duties for Chicago Bulls basketball on WGN television from 1991-2008. Recipient of numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, Larrivee is a five-time winner of the Silver Dome Award for Best Radio Football Play-by-Play from the Illinois Broadcasters Association, and he was named Illinois 'Sportscaster of the Year' in 1997. Larrivee, a graduate of Emerson College in Boston, also has received two Emmys for his work on the Chicago Bulls broadcasts.
Freeman played eight seasons for the Packers (1995-2001, 03), appearing in 116 games, with 90 starts. Among the club's most prolific receivers, he ranks sixth on the club's all-time list in both receptions (431) and yards (6,651), and third in touchdown receptions (57). He earned consensus All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection in 1998 after posting 1,424 yards to lead the NFL.
Levens played eight seasons (1994-2001) in a Packers uniform, with 53 starts among 102 games played. The fifth all-time leading rusher in team history, he ran for 3,937 yards on 1,006 carries, with 28 touchdowns. A gifted receiver as well, Levens caught 271 passes for 2,079 yards and 16 TDs; only two other backs in Packers annals - Ahman Green (347) and William Henderson (320) - had more career receptions.
Tickets for the banquet, which begins with the doors opening at 4:30 p.m. with a cash bar, and dinner and program to follow at 7 p.m., are $125 each. Tables of 10 also are available for $1150 and are assigned in the order in which they are purchased. Early reservations are recommended. To purchase tickets, call Gwen Borga at 920/965-6984, or e-mail her at gborga@packerhalloffame.org. No refunds are available 30 days prior to the event.
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. is a non-profit corporation independent of the Green Bay Packers that guides the Hall as a historic national sports venue and educational resource to the Green Bay community and the state of Wisconsin. The Hall raises funds through its annual induction banquet, Golf Classic and other events to develop new exhibits and expand its archives. Historic memorabilia donated by individuals to the Hall may qualify as tax-deductible gifts.
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. Golf Classic is set for Monday, July 13, 2009, at The Bull in Sheboygan Falls, Wis.
Originally established in 1967 as a temporary display in the concourse of the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena, the Hall moved into its own facility in 1976 near Lambeau Field. In 2003, it was relocated to a spectacular new, 25,000-square foot facility in the Lambeau Field Atrium. The Hall of Fame is open on non-game days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours may vary on game days and holidays. For more information, contact the Hall of Fame at 920/569-7512, or visit the Hall online at www.packershalloffame.org.
