For one such fan, Wayne Stark from Mayville, Wis., each of his favorite Packers memories feels as though it happened only a few days ago.
Stark, a diehard Packers fan since 1961, will never get tired of sharing his memorable Packers moments nor his excitement each time he visits Lambeau. And after winning the Green Bay Packers-Dallas Cowboys VIP Ticket Package contest, Stark will have yet another memory to share with all.
Understanding the long-standing rivalry between these two teams, the Green Bay Packers offered fans a chance to win a VIP ticket package to the Nov. 7 Packers-Cowboys game, including two tickets and pregame field passes, through a contest on Packers.com
Interested fans were able to sign up for the chance to win the ultimate package from Oct. 13 through Oct. 21. And in that short period, more than 26,000 fans entered in hopes of seeing this classic football matchup.
The prize package includes two general seating tickets, two pregame field passes, a two-night stay at the Wingate by Wyndham Green Bay Hotel (Nov. 6-7) and a $50 gift card for the Packers Pro Shop.
And for a man who couldn't hold back from sharing each and every exciting Packers memory he has had, it was clear Stark was just the right fan to be chosen.
"I can't tell you how excited I am," Stark said. "I have been a diehard Packers fan since 1961, and since then, the one team I have disliked the absolute most has always been the Dallas Cowboys. Growing up, my dad disliked them so in turn, I did too."
Stark made it evident that the Packers fan gene definitely runs in his family, as nearly every moment he cherishes, involves not just the Packers, but more importantly, his family.
"I try to make it to at least one game a year," Stark said. "This year, I bought eight tickets for the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, and brought my whole family. We all had such a good time. Last year, I remember going to the season-opener against the Chicago Bears, and brought my step granddaughter. The Packers have always been something my entire family enjoys cheering for and supporting."
Stark, who has been fortunate to attend some of the most memorable Packers games, gets equally excited with each visit he makes to Lambeau, and remains just as excited when telling the tales of his Packers memories.
"I can remember the first Packers game I attended, I went with my dad and it was when Dan Devine was making his Packers coaching debut," Stark said. "We were playing the New York Giants and lost 42-40. Even though we lost, it is one memory I will never forget."
Although Sunday's matchup with Dallas will not be the same as the legendary 1967 NFL Championship, better known as the Ice Bowl, Stark is okay with that.
"I've already been to my own 'Ice Bowl' game," he said. "In 1985, I went to the Packers-Buccaneers game, on Dec. 1, and it was a complete blizzard. My brother, two other friends, and I were the last four people in our section, it was that cold."
When first hearing that he had won, Stark knew instinctively who he would bring to the game, his son, Matthew. While Matthew lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., he made sure he would make it to the game with his dad.
"Once I found out I had won this contest, I knew right away who I would bring, my son," Stark said. "When I called him he wasn't sure if he could make it, but within that hour he called back and said, 'I'm going, no matter what.'
"My son, Matthew, and I have made it to several games so this will be another one we can enjoy together."
For a fan that has been to a fair share of Packers games, Stark knows that this one will be even more special.
"Again, I can't even tell you how excited I am," he said. "I think I am most excited for the on-field pass. I have taken the Lambeau Field tour before, and when we were walking through the tunnel, with the gameday sound effects, I was in awe. I couldn't believe the feeling I got just hearing those sounds and walking toward the field. And now, I get to actually go on the field sidelines before the game."
