Every Sunday at Lambeau Field, tens of thousands of fans pump their fists and shout “Go Pack Go” and almost none of them know who taught them how.
Her name was Mary Jane Sorgel.
In 1961, Vince Lombardi himself handpicked her to build something the Packers had never had: a professional, disciplined sideline presence worthy of a championship franchise. She delivered. She founded the Golden Girls, led them through eleven seasons, including the legendary Ice Bowl at -13 degrees, and is credited by NFL Films with originating the very chant that defines Green Bay fandom to this day.
She served this franchise for nearly 23 years. She performed under Curly Lambeau. She performed for Lombardi. She helped shape the soul of an era that Packers fans still romanticize.
She passed away in 2022. The Hall of Fame has inducted 171 people. Not one woman. (Editors Note: The Packers Hall of Fame list includes mostly players and coaches and also a band leader, scout, sports writers, executives, trainers, manager, board members, radio announcer and a video director.)
The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame has a contributor category designed precisely for people like Sorgel. A biography is coming. Her contemporaries are aging. The moment to act — to finally get this right — is now.
Go Pack Go, Mary Jane. You earned it.
Nancy Lind, Stevens Point
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: ‘Go Pack Go’ cheer originator deserves Hall of Fame nod | Letter
Reporting by Letters to the Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Letters to the Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
