According to news on the college's website, the book was the brainchild of SNC President Thomas Kunkel, who took over the helm of SNC in 2008. It wasn't long afterward that he started hearing Lombardi stories from the Rev. Rowland De Peaux, O.Praem., and others.
Kunkel eventually asked veteran Packers beat writer and sports journalist Cliff Christl to put togehter an oral history of the Packers training camps at SNC during the Lombardi years. “We were fortunate to have Cliff take on this project with us,” Kunkel is quoted as saying. “He knows the team, he knows the players and he knows the campus. He was the perfect person for the job.”
If you're interested in the book, it's available at the Packers Pro Shop and will be available in Shopko stores in Wisconsin and upper Michigan (a shout out to all you Yoopers!) in early November. The book will also be available at the new SNC bookstore in Todd Wehr Hall (for those in the neighborhood of De Pere) and as a featured item in the college’s online store.
The news release notes that the strong relationship between the Packers and St. Norbert College continues: "This past summer, Kunkel was elected to the team’s board of directors. Former Packers general manager Ron Wolf will be December’s guest on 'Conversations from St. Norbert College,' and Packers CEO Mark Murphy has contributed a guest editorial to the upcoming issue of St. Norbert College Magazine, in mailboxes next week.
"In addition, the Packers will be co-sponsoring the college’s second sport and society conference in 2012. And, of course, the team will be back on campus when next year’s training camp rolls around."
The book sounds like a terrific addition to the library for Packers fans. And...it's perfect for parties...and ideal for gifts!
Oh, and for those looking for a great small college for the kids, you won't do any better than St. Norbert College. Hey...if it's good enough for the Packers...
And finally, thanks to friend and Packer fan, Steve, for passing this story along.
