Wayne Larrivee, play-by-play voice of the Packers Radio Network, has been named emcee of the 37th Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, to be held the evening of July 21, 2007, in the Lambeau Field Atrium. Robert Brooks and LeRoy Butler will become the 135th and 136th members of the Hall.
One of the most distinctive voices in radio play-by-play, Larrivee this year will be calling his ninth season of Packers games. Prior to joining WTMJ and the Packers Radio Network in 1999, he called the plays for the Chicago Bears for 14 seasons, most recently on WMAQ-AM. Previously at WGN Radio, the then-Bears flagship station, Larrivee also called Chicago Cubs baseball and college basketball. Before that, Larrivee was the "Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs," broadcasting from KCMO Radio in Kansas City, Mo., from 1978-1984.
Larrivee also does broadcast work on the television side, calling NCAA basketball and regional Big Ten football and basketball broadcasts. He performs play-by-play duties for Chicago Bulls basketball on WGN television as well.
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.
Brooks, who retired from the Packers following the 1998 season, authored a distinguished seven-year career (1992-98) for the Green and Gold and ranks 11th on the club's all-time receptions list with 306 catches for 4,225 yards and 32 touchdowns. He will be presented by former teammate Antonio Freeman.
Butler (first name is pronounced luh-ROY), who retired from the Packers following a 12-year career (1990-2001), played more games, 181, than any other defensive back in team history, and only six players overall saw action in more contests - Brett Favre (239), Bart Starr (196), Ray Nitschke (190), Forrest Gregg (187) and William Henderson (187). The "inventor" of the Lambeau Leap, Butler will be presented by ESPN anchor and Green Bay native John Anderson.
In addition to the induction of Brooks and Butler, the Hall of Fame will formally recognize this year's FAN honoree, Rich Barbera.
Tickets for the banquet, which begins with a cash bar at 4:30 p.m., with dinner and program to follow at 7 p.m., are $110 each. Tables of 10 also are available and are assigned in the order 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 July 9 at The Bull in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. Tickets are sold out.
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.*
