Special Events

Packers Basketball

Slinger’s basketball fund-raiser a success, draws six Packers to the village

By Nikki Ackerman

Posted with permission of Slinger Express News

April 23, 2005

(See Pictures below)

The village come out in full force on Saturday for a fund-raising-and star-studded-basketball game between the Slinger All-Stars, a team comprised of area alumni, and six members of the Green Bay Packers

Sponsored by the Slinger Advancement Association (SAA), a non-profit organization with the betterment of the village as its goal, the even drew over 600 spectators to the Slinger High School Gymnasium.  Funds raised will go to the Slinger Fire Department’s dive and rescue team for the purchase of proper bodywear and equipment, including a raft.

“With the proceeds donated by the Slinger Advancement Association, we plan to purchase equipment that we can use for all four seasons,” stated Lt. Brad Schaefer.  “This group has done a ton of good work for the community and they are all such great people.”

With an altruistic theme, the event was also “lots of fun,” according to SAA member Russ Gavin who coordinated the evening.

The game was festive, including what Gavin called a “brilliant” performance by the Slinger Pep Band given as a Packer jersey- and Cheesehead-clad crowd took their seats in the bleachers. 

The number one highlight was, naturally, the guys in green and gold”  Donald Driver, Tony Fisher, Kenney Peterson, Chris Johnson, Andre Thurman and Walter Williams.

Winning the game 69-63, the Packers interacted with the crowd, involved children during half-time, posed for pictures and signed autographs.

“We had a good group come out and everyone had such a great time,” said Gavin, “and it’s always neat to get the community together for something like this.”

The Packers involved felt the same.  Between shooting warm up shot, Driver told the Express News that he was more than happy to help raise money for “the real heroes.”

“Firefighters do everything for the community,” he said.  “Especially after 9/11, I have a real love for the fire department.  They’re the real heroes, not us.”

 After the game, SAA members and players from both teams, Packers and all, gathered at Sammy’s Tase of Chicago in Slinger.  “Sammy’s did a very good job accommodating to us and we want to thank them,” said Gavin.

 Overall, he called the event a major success.

 “The main thing is that everyone had a blast and the Packers were just super,” said Gavin.