My short story on meeting Bart Starr. Bart was contracted by a local sport collectable store in Janesville to sign autographs at the Rock COunty fair. I got there early because I had two footballs I wanted him to sign. I waited for about an hour, and ahead of me was a father and his severly handicaped child in a wheel chair. It was the fathers turn and the child(about 13 years old). The father ask Bart if he could take his picture next to his son. Bart jump up out his chair and came around the table and said SURE!! I'd love too! Bart got down and hugged the child and the father very happily took some photo's. Bart talked to the child and I could see the child was excited. Bart spent quite a bit of time talking to the father and his child. I'll never forget that moment. The look of sincerity in Barts smile, and eyes. Bart touched a lot of people that day but that was probably the most touching. I was next next and placed the 2 footballs on the table in front of Bart as I was nervous meeting this HOF Packer Great. I shook his hand and said very nice to meet you Mr. Starr, and Bart replied back Oh! call me Bart. He picked up one of my footballs which was a genuine NFL model I had shipped to me a week before. He said, Oh this one gets a special treatment. He grabbed a large silver pen and signed the whole panel Bart Starr. He graciouslly signed the other also. I thanked him and walked away with a great feeling of meeting the most pleasent man who just happened to be one of the greatest NFL quaterbacks EVER!
I visited the store that sponsered the signing a week later and talked to the one of the owners. I said how nice it was to meet Bart, and she also agreed but said alot of people who contract sports figures don't care for Bart to much. Surprised, I ask why? She replied that Bart talks too much to everyone and that takes too much time so in the amount of time that he is signing autographs he doesn't get too many signed compared to someone with their head down who just sign as many as possible. This just shows how genuine Bart Starr is. Oh, and I forgot, the money he got for signing? It all went to charity. I just wanted to share that with you all. My meeting of Packer Great! An increditable MAN! Number 1 in my book!

Again this is Parker High Schools homecoming. To bad those of us who want to see the game and the cheerleaders ond poms wont b able to get into stadium. Will b full of packer fans. Could have picked a better date for him to come

I remember Bart coming to Madison in the early 60's and was at the old Wolff Kubly and Hirsing store on the capital square. He was paid 50 dollars to come down from Green Bay and sign autographs. I bought a football and he signed it. Mr. Starr was very gracious with every one he met that day. What a difference today with the overpaid, whinny players that only care about money and not the fans.

I met bart Starr at the Rock COunty fair years ago. He signed my footballs. Bart is ane very nice person. A true model Athlete.

Hadn't realized Jim Ringo went back that far. Howton was exciting to hear about on the radio (mostly before regularly televised games). Tobin Rote was his passer, a man who could fill the air with artillery before it became standard, tho never having a winning season with the Pack.

And in that same year Al Carmichael set the NFL record with a 106 yd kickoff return against. . . . . . . . . you guessed it - - -
DA BEARS!!!!

The same Bears who had the best record in football, though being demolished in the championship game 47-7 by the
Giants, led by (the then antique) 35 yr old Charley Conerley, Sam Huff, Frank Gifford, Kyle Rote, Roosevelt Brown, Andy Robustelli, and later Packers Don Chandler and Emlen Tunnell, the latter the first African-American elected to the Hall.

This is a great opportunity BUT this is also Parker hi homecoming. Not fair that we will not b able to get in to c the game or pom squads preforming bcuz the stadium will b packed with packer fans!!!!!!

Thanks for the info.

Might I add the following information, Since this is a Non-Profit community event with the Southern Wisconsin Community Foundation handling the funds:

Packer 1956 Game Programs and Vince Lombardi CD’s are available at:

Videogenics Productions 20 S. Main Street/Olde Towne Mall #30
Mac’s Pizza Shack 2307 Milton Ave. Janesville, WI
Wiggy's Saloon- 9 N Parker Drive, Janesville, WI,
Sneakers Bar- 1221 Woodman Road, Janesville, WI
East Point Sportz Bar- 3501 E. Milwaukee, Janesville, WI
Janesville Athletic Club- 1301 Black Bridge Road, Janesville, WI
Legends Bar- 11 N. Main Street, Janesville, WI
Game Day- 966 S. Jackson Street, Janesville, WI
Watering Hole- 1700 N. Washington, Janesville, WI
Deano’s West Side Pub- 2523 W. Wall Street, Janesville, WI
Tremor’s Bar and Grill- 1802 Center Ave. Janesville, WI
Boobleheads- 2709 Hwy 51, Janesville, WI
Stoke’s Pub 1633 E. Racine Street, Janesville, WI

In all honesty, and I know for a fact, because I am and have been on the Bart Starr planning committee since the creation of this historic event to take place, that Bart is coming Free of charge from Alabama to accept and dedicate this plaque. He is covering his own travel and personal expenses to join us on Oct 15th. We thought this would be a good boost for the city, the stadium, our local event history and for our great student athletics offered in our district. We hope that this event is one that leaves a positive memory in young and older alike. There are alot of sponsors and donors behind this project in which they are contributing to the cost and placement of 2 plaques, which were purchased locally. Copies of the reprinted program from that night in 1956 and a speech preserved on CD made by Packers coach, Vince Lombardi at Marshall Middle school, (now JPAC), are available throughout the city at various locations. These items are also funding our commemerative plaques. It is nice to see many different folks coming together to make a positive effort in our city at a time that could be described as frustrating and somewhat economically challenging. I am Glad to know that Bart is willing to accept this honor free of charge. The committee feels that Bart Starr is the type of role model that our youth should be exposed to this day in age.

Sigma40, the article doesn't say this is costing the city anything. You know what happens when you assume...

"City parks director"????? So we can barely afford to keep our parks up and our pools open but we can blow money on this?

There is a fee involved. I've heard upwards of $20,000 paid by the businesses that are sponsoring this visit.

If you're going to the game, get there EARLY! It will probably sell out very quickly. Tickets go on sale at 3:45 (or so) down at Monterey Stadium.

Great story!!
I'd say those were the glory days for Janesville when GM was pumping out cars and the soon to be legends of the gridiron playing in Janesville. Sweet!

Given that this is a dedication of an honor and not a business function where a company might profit from his appearance, I would be surprised if there was a fee involved.

I wanted to hire him as a motivational speaker for our company once, he gets $75,000 per appearence. I wonder if he's showing up for free.

crystal - He (and his wife) have been on TV often (very often) over the years pitching for donations to Rawhide.

You really have to love the Fairbank Morse Fairies!!

I saw Bart and the Packers beat the New York Giants 17-13 only 3 weeks after this event at City Stadium in Green Bay, August 25, 1956.

The Giants became NFL Champions that year.

The Pack finished 4 and 8.

how freakin sweet is that!!! omg..im def. going!!!

Roadmaster,

The Beloit Fairies

The 1919 Green Bay Packers season was their first season of competitive football. The club was formed by Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun with help from the Indian Packing Company. The club posted a 10-1 record.

This is a quiz: Who was the only team to defeat the Packers in the 1919 season?

No cheating by looking it up on the Internet.

Maybe it is the only day that Starr could make it, but I feel bad for any Parker alumnus or current student who can't get into the Homecoming game because of this hoopla.

Word of advice, get there early if you go. Stands are usually pretty full at a normal Parker football game, and this is homecoming.

For those of us who were fortunate enough (and old enough) to watch Bart Starr play, there is no question that he is the greatest quarterback in Green Bay history and among the giants in NFL history. He played his best games in the playoffs in compiling a 9-1 record and winning five championships, something no other QB has equaled. He was a class act throughout his career and post career...a true Packer. I can't wait to honor him on October 15.

Well, how cool is that.

This story got me misty eyed and Saraha's post made it worse. I sure do miss those good ol days.

I wish I could find my #15 jersey. Although I know it would not fit now..lol. (hanger shrinkage) I to recall the Packer parties at my parents house. Watching and cheering the Packers on the black and white Tv. Those were the days and the memories are good.

Can you tell us the list of 15 busineses that are selling the programs?

I didn't even know he was still alive but great story.