A Rhinelander city committee is asking the Green Bay Packers to join in a ceremony this summer noting the 80th anniversary of the Packers practicing at Sarocka Field.
The Historic Preservation Commission is planning to have a ceremony at the field this August. In 1935, Packer founder and coach Curly Lambeau and the team practiced at the field for a week, staying at the Pinewood Lodge on Lake Thompson east of Rhinelander.
Dawn Rog chairs the Commission. They're drafting a letter to the Packers asking the team to be a part of the ceremony...
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"......we also want to include the fact that Pop Warner(youth football) plays there, the history of the Rhinelander with the Heisman(John Heisman is buried in Rhinelander), we're looking to involve them, but we're also asking for a donation from them for a plague for this field..."
Rog says another part of NFL history is here as well, with Rhinelander High School and University of Wisconsin graduate Mike Webster, who also was an All-Pro and Hall of Fame player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rhinelander's high school football field is named after Webster. John Heisman, whose name is on the trophy for college football's top player, is buried in Rhinelander.
Articles from local media noted many Northwoods residents came by in August of 1935 to watch the Packers practice.
Mayor Dick Johns says the nature of the ceremony will depend on how involved the Packers want to be in the event. They are hoping to hear more about possible Packers involvement by next month's meeting.
