UPDATE: Frank Lamping did it! He became the newest member of the Green Bay Packers FAN Hall of Fame.
The announcement was made at a press conference held in Green Bay at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Lamping, who lives in Union Grove, said he couldn’t believe that he had won. He was among 350 people nominated for the honor. And he’ll be the 19th person to be inducted into the FAN Hall of Fame.
“It was a dream come true,” Lamping said. “I was very nervous.”
Crying, Lamping told the crowd at the press conference that he was the luckiest man in the world. Now that he’s been chosen, Lamping received a plaque to take home and one will be placed in the Green Bay Packers FAN Hall of Fame. He also will receive other prizes, including four home club seats so that he can continue to enjoy his beloved Packers in person.
“The people in Union Grove have been great,” he said. “They’ve held pep rallies and everything. I felt like I would have let them down if I didn’t win. So now, I don’t have to let them down and I’m happy.”
ORIGINAL STORY: For a few hours on Friday afternoon, the normally quiet lobby of Community State Bank in Union Grove was transformed into a full-blown Packers tailgate atmosphere in support of Union Grove resident Frank Lamping, who is one of ten finalists for the Green Bay Packers Fan Hall of Fame.
About 300 people, decked out in Packers gear, including special “Go Frank Go” t-shirts, filled the lobby. There were hot dogs, balloons, a pep band and TV news cameras and reporters everywhere.
Local residents and businesses came together in a big way to put on the “Go Frank Go” rally for Lamping.
Backing Frank
Dave Moyer, senior vice president and agricultural lender at Community State Bank, addressed the crowd at the rally.
“This is a true community effort. So many people have gotten involved in this but it’s all because of one guy, our best friend Frank Lamping, that’s why we’re all here,” he said.
Bob and Brian of the radio morning show on 102.9 The Hog, came to support Frank as well. The three went to Union Grove High School together. Brian Nelson told a few old high school stories about Lamping, while Bob Madden encouraged folks to vote for Frank each day.
“Nobody deserves this more,” Madden said. “Frank was nice to me even when I didn’t deserve to be nice to.”
Lamping was completely humbled by all the love and support. “It’s just overwhelming – thank you all for your support…I’m not worthy,” he said, which garnered boos from the crowd.
Lamping was nominated for the Packers Fan Hall of Fame by his niece, Dana Bower and his friend, Don Schauf. After Lamping became a top-ten finalist, Schauf started a “Go Frank Go” Facebook page. He said he was happy to get a handful of members in the first hour or so. Today, the page has 1,700 members and is growing each day.
The Guy Behind The Green and Gold
To know Frank Lamping is to know he is a Packers fan. His love for the green and gold goes back to his childhood when he attended games at the old County Stadium in Milwaukee with his dad. He was, and still remains a huge Bart Starr fan. But what happened in that bank lobby on Friday was something bigger. The community rallied around a man who has always been so giving of himself.
“Frank is a pillar of the community, Schauf said. “He’s always first in line to volunteer.”
According to Schauf, for many years, Lamping has been a member of the Union Grove Lion’s Club, spending countless hours promoting and working at functions like the chicken BBQ and the pancake breakfast. He’s also been active in Union Grove’s Relay for Life for a long time with his team from American Roller, where Lamping works.
When Lamping’s nephew, Chris Bower, spoke to the crowd, he talked about his brother Kevin Bower, who approached Lamping about selling “Go Frank Go” T-shirts to help Lamping with medical bills. Lamping is currently battling cancer, but he refused, insisting the proceeds go instead to Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society. The shirts have raised about $2,500 for the cause. In his speech, Lamping said, “That’s gonna make me the top guy (on his team) this year – I really appreciate it.”
Frank’s Rally Cry
At the conclusion of Lamping’s speech, there was a green balloon drop from a balcony above the lobby, along with chants of “Go Frank Go!”
As the rally was winding down, Lamping began signing t-shirts and greeted and thanked folks personally as they left. He reflected on what had just happened.
“This is beyond words,” he said. “I love this community but I cannot believe the love and how they came together like this…for me.”
Lamping said how thankful he was for being nominated and for being a finalist.
“I’m so happy that I’m this far along and now that I’m this far along I really want to be in the Packer Hall of Fame! It would be a dream come true.”
Voting for the Packers Fan Hall of Fame continues through January 31. To vote, go to www.packers.com/fhof People may vote once per day, per device.
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