Football history is once again being made at Lambeau Field.
The Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame is now located at the new Lambeau Field Atrium, it was announced Thursday.
"Throughout our history, the Green Bay Packers have had a commitment to youth football," said Packers Executive Vice President and COO John Jones. "Partnering with the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association to bring their Hall of Fame to Lambeau is a natural fit."
The WFCA Hall of Fame is located on the ground level of the Atrium and features a wall of honor for Wisconsin football coaches from the high school and college level, as well as recognition of state football champions. An interactive kiosk allows fans to look up their favorite high school team or coach.
Dick Rundle, Executive Director of the WFCA and a Wisconsin/National Hall of Fame coach from Monona Grove, said Lambeau Field is a great location to recognize outstanding coaches and state football teams.
"Great coaches can be found at all levels of the game, be it a Pop Warner league, high school or college," he said. "To be enshrined here, at Lambeau, where so many great coaches have helped to shape and mold winning teams is a thrill. I am sure those who play football - no matter at what level - will want to come and be a part of this."
Each year the induction ceremony for the WFCA Hall of Fame will be held at the Atrium. "That will be a great moment for coaches, their players, families and friends," Rundle said.
The Green Bay Packers have been active in youth football for many years. Among its involvement:
Packers GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman has hosted Wisconsin coaching clinics at the Don Hutson Center.
Each week during the fall, the Packers sponsor the "High School Coach of the Week" program - honoring an outstanding coach from Wisconsin.
The Packers have worked with the NFL to secure grants for local youth football field development.
Each Packers season, a number of Pop Warner youth football teams are featured during halftime at one of the home games.
Packers personnel speak at dozens of athletic banquets throughout the area and often provide training advice to local high school and college teams.
Jones added he was pleased the announcement was made today, "because the Wisconsin high school football season kicks off today - with 32 games across Wisconsin tonight and more than 150 games on Friday and Saturday. It's a good start to the season."
The 2004 WFCA 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee Class is as follows:
Tom Baurer - Mondovi
Jim Brinker - Stanley-Boyd
Neil Hoven - Westby
Dennis Johnson - Muskego
Dan Juedes - Sheboygan Falls
Tom Klicka - Wild Rose
Lamont Kraft - Seymour
Dave LaPoint - Florence
Earl L. "Curly" Lambeau - Green Bay Packers
Paul Little - Kaukauna
Vince Lombardi - Green Bay Packers
John Nowak - Green Bay Notre Dame
Don Page - UW River Falls
Bill Pelkey - Northwestern
Gary Raether - Marathon
Jim Strommen - Pecatonica-Argyle
Tom Taraska - Arrowhead
Carry Venne - Cuday
Tom Handlen - Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award
