While there have been thousands NFL players to don the green and gold throughout the history of the Green Bay Packers, it’s a rarity to be inducted in to Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Something perhaps even more rare would be an induction into the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame, a recognition that would be an honor for the millions of Packers fans around the world.
That dream could soon become a reality for a local Clintonville woman, who is among 10 nominees throughout the entire country to be considered for the honor. As a finalist, 81-year-old Kay Kuester Doran of Clintonville, who was nominated by her sister Mary Beth, will now let the public decide if her fandom will be enough to warrant a spot in the coveted Packers Fan Hall of Fame.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to death of course,” said Kuester Doran of her nomination. “When Mary Beth started this, I said really? There were 77,000 plus fans at the playoff game last week. With all those fans, not to mention the ones who aren’t at the games, you really think so? She said yes, I think you have a chance. Apparently I do. I’m getting quite a few phone calls and quite a few people are getting on the bandwagon, so it makes me feel good to know that people are voting for me.”
To be inducted, Kuester Doran will need to receive enough votes from the public now through the end of January. The Packers Fan Hall of Fame was created by the team in 1998, and Kuester Doran says while the individual recognition would be nice, she’s doing it for her home area.
“The big thing would be to have your name in the Packer Hall of Fame, but one of the things I like about this, is that I have a chance to bring something back to Clintonville, Shawano, Appleton area, Antigo, and the North Central Wisconsin area,” said Kuester Doran.
She is more than a deserving candidate, as her fandom was tested through years thick and thin, and recounts attending her first game behind Green Bay East High School in the 1940’s
“We had bleachers, there was no such thing as the stadium,” Kuester Doran explained. “We went to the game, the Packers weren’t doing too well, I don’t remember the score, but they didn’t look too good. It was right after the war and things were just getting rolling again, so a lot of the Packers had been drafted [into the war.]
Kuester-Doran said her most memorable takeaway from her first experience was that of the fans, who she explains are an experience of their own. Ultimately, she is grateful the amount of support she’s already received from those who have given their vote and hopes to bring home the Hall of Fame spot for what she calls a passionate football area.
“I’d like to thank everybody,” said Kuester Doran of all those who have cast their vote for her. “Like I said these are hard-core football areas, so I’d like to bring this home for the area.
Voting for Kay Kuester-Doran can be done until the end of the month. You can cast your vote here.