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posted 07/05/2007
Packers Chairman Bob Harlan has his own rather vivid memory of City Stadium.
Back in 1955, while a sophomore at Marquette University, Harlan came with friends from his dorm for a weekend in Green Bay. On Sunday, he headed over to City Stadium to see the Packers take on the Chicago Cardinals to witness his first NFL game.
He didn't plan to, but he ended up "sneaking" into the stadium for free, and as a college kid he wasn't about to complain.
"I got up to the gate and I was looking for somebody to buy a ticket, and a bunch of people were just kind of moving through the gate," Harlan said. "So I just got in the middle of them and kept walking and walking, and the next thing I knew I was in the stadium.
"They had a fence that surrounded the field at that time. It was right up against the back of the Packers bench, and I just leaned up against that fence and watched the whole game. Nobody even asked me if I had a ticket."
Tickets won't be required for the Packers training camp practice slated for City Stadium on the evening of July 31, with seating and standing offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
But it's memories like Harlan's that are sure to come flooding back to anyone who actually attended a game at City Stadium when they see the green-and-gold uniforms enter the field again. For the record, Harlan's first and only visit there was a 31-14 Green Bay victory over Chicago. Whether or not Harlan counted in the 20,104 recorded as the official attendance is in question.
"I think people who were here in the 40s and 50s and came to games here, I would think if you have any love at all for history and tradition, it's going to mean a great deal to you," Harlan said. "It brings back memories for me every time I come by here."
The Packers played a total of 32 years in City Stadium, from 1925 through 1956, winning six NFL titles in that span. Nine Packers who are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame played there, including founder, player and head coach Curly Lambeau, a graduate of adjacent Green Bay East High School.
The idea of holding a training camp practice at City Stadium was first discussed amongst public school, city and team officials a couple of years ago, and the timing this year seemed right with Lambeau Field celebrating its 50th anniversary.
"We thought as we were paying a great tribute to the finest stadium in the National Football League we should also pay attention to our previous home," Harlan said. "It's a night our entire organization is truly looking forward to.
"For fans to sit here and see a pro football team run out on this field, I think it's going to be enormous."