A record of more than 1,000 Green Bay Packers and Green Bay Phoenix fans and supporters attended Tuesday's 16th Annual Phoenix-Packers Steak Fry at Lambeau Field, helping Green Bay Athletics raise a record total of more than $234,000.
The amount raised marks a 56 percent increase from the funds raised at last year's annual event.
Several Packers players attended the Steak Fry, including Sam Barrington, Jared Abbrederis, Jayrone Elliott, Justin Perillo, Mike Pennel, Aaron Ripkowski, Brett Hundley, Christian Ringo, John Crockett and LaDarius Gunter.
More than 1,000 fans helped raise a record total of more than $234,000 for the Phoenix Fund. Photos by UW-Green Bay
Over the last 16 years, the annual event has helped raise over $1.2 million for the Phoenix Fund, the principal fund for scholarships and program support at Green Bay. The Phoenix Fund has raised record totals again this year, which will help lead to a better student-athlete experience and future state-of-the-art facility upgrades.
The Phoenix-Packers Steak Fry highlights the special partnership between the university and the team. In 2013, the Green Bay Packers Foundation awarded a $250,000 grant to the UW-Green Bay scholarship fund, helping to assist the growing number of students with financial need.
The Packers and the Phoenix also have worked together on several other programs, including UW-Green Bay Day at the Lambeau Field Atrium, the recent Lambeau Lectures event, and many other gameday and community initiatives.
"Once again our donors, partners, friends and the Green Bay community demonstrated they are the best fans in the land. They are the true difference makers in helping make possible our goal of changing lives and building leaders," said UW-Green Bay director of athletics, Mary Ellen Gillespie. "The Green Bay community wants and values Division I athletics and the funds raised will allow us to touch every one of our 16 programs, enhance the student-athlete experience and help us take Green Bay athletics to the next level. Our hearts are very full with appreciation and gratitude."
Successful Green Bay men's basketball head coach Linc Darner and women's basketball head coach Kevin Borseth were popular figures at this year's event, while the University Chancellor, Dr. Gary L. Miller, welcomed the crowd, thanked the attendees and emphasized the importance of Division I athletics in the Green Bay area.
Student-athletes representing all 16 Green Bay Phoenix programs also were present at the event.
For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.
