Voting opened Wednesday to select the fifth member of the Packer FAN Hall of Fame.
Last month, Packers fans were asked to nominate themselves or a friend for the honor with an essay of 500 words or less, accompanied by a photo, telling why they should be recognized. From those nominations 10 finalists were selected by the Packers FAN Hall of Fame selection committee, comprised of members of the Packers front office and the Packer Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
Now it's once again up to the fans, who can read the finalists' profiles and vote online. The nominee receiving the most votes will be named the fifth member of the Packer FAN Hall of Fame.
The Green Bay Packers, the first professional football team to have its own hall of fame, enhanced that distinction in 1998 by establishing a Packer FAN Hall of Fame for the purpose of annually honoring a devout and longtime Packers fan.
The late Mel Knoke of Appleton was chosen as the inaugural enshrinee in the FAN Hall of Fame. The 91-year-old Knoke, who died between the time of his election and enshrinement, was honored posthumously at the 1999 Packer Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, held March 6.
Louis Gardipee of Black River Falls, Wis., Ed Jablonski of Wausau, Wis. and Paul Mazzoleni of Green Bay were the second, third and fourth honorees, respectively.
This year's winner will be announced December 20, 2002. He or she will receive four club seats to a Packers home game -- at which he or she will be recognized on the Lambeau Field JumboTron -- a $500 Packers Pro Shop gift certificate and a road trip for two to a 2002 Packers away game, including game ticket, air fare and hotel accommodation.
The honoree also will be introduced during the Packer Hall of Fame Induction Banquet in July and have his or her name permanently displayed in a place of honor in the Packer Hall of Fame.
FAN Hall of Fame sponsors are ShopKo, Stein Gardens and Gifts, Best Buy and Bielinski Custom Homes.
