Green Bay Packers Return to Glory
Becoming Champions
Again
Enter the Ron Wolf era.
With the departure of legendary coach Vince Lombardi, the Packers struggled in mediocrity for more than two decades. Then, Bob Harlan hired Ron Wolf, future Hall of Fame general manager, and almost overnight the Packers regained their status as one of NFL's flagship franchises, winning Super Bowls in 1996 and 2010 and appearing in four NFC Championship games in ten seasons (2007-2016). This certificate program allows fans to re-experience the Packers revival from the 1970s to today.
Our Certificate at a Glance
Find out more about Green Bay Packers Return to Glory Noncredit Certificate.
Dates
September-October, 2024
8 Sessions
Format
Live Online (Zoom)
Investment
$139 (includes admission to the Packers Hall of Fame)
Owned & Sustained by Fans
The Packers are the only franchise in professional sports to be owned and sustained by their fans; the steadfast, unwavering support of the community has been fundamental to the Packers’ success over the last century. In the same vein, it’s clear the Packers have a quantifiable and tangible economic impact on the Greater Green Bay community, from tourism and taxes to job creation and wage generation. Source: Green Bay Packers Media Guide
VIP Sessions
Sessions are taught by the Packers Hall of Fame curator.
This certificate program includes eight sessions that cover important events and personalities from the Packers' return to prominence during the last five decades. Sessions take place live on Zoom on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m.
Black & Blue Division
September 4, 2024
1-3 p.m.
Bruising, cold-weather battles with the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings fanned the "Black and Blue" nickname for the NFC Central Division, which characterized the ugly, physical football of the1970s. In 1972, under Dan Devine, the Packers briefly returned to the playoffs by winning the NFC Central. However, after falling to Washington in the playoff game, it would be another 23 years before the Packers would win another Central title.
Flirting with Success
September 11, 2024
1-3 p.m.
Fans were enthusiastic when Bart Starr and Forrest Gregg, both Pro Football Hall of Fame players under Vince Lombardi, returned to Green Bay as coaches. Both flirted with success but together accounted for only two winning seasons in over 13 years. In 1982, behind an explosive offense that scored 33 or more points in three of five wins, the Packers made the playoffs in a strike-shortened season.
An Architect of Unlikely Resurgence
September 25, 2024
1-3 p.m.
Ron Wolf was the architect of a remarkable and unlikely resurgence. He turned what had become one of the most hapless teams in the NFL into one of the most successful. Wolf hired Mike Holmgren, the hottest commodity among up-and-coming NFL assistants. He pulled the trigger and surrendered a first-round draft pick for Brett Favre, a strong-armed quarterback who had played little in his first year in Atlanta. Then shocked the NFL by signing Reggie White in free agency. It culminated with the Packers winning Super Bowl XXXI and capturing their first world championship in 29 years.
Knocking at the Door
October 2, 2024
1-3 p.m.
The Packers were knocking at the door of winning other championships following their victory in Super Bowl XXXI, but there was always an obstacle preventing wins during the next 13 seasons. The biggest heartbreak of all was losing Super Bowl XXXIII and missing the opportunity to win back-to-back championships.
A Driving Force
October 9, 2024
1-3 p.m.
Bob Harlan was the driving force behind the redevelopment of Lambeau Field as a year-round destination, which put the franchise on firm financial footing for years to come. The project was estimated to cost $295 million and was only made possible through active campaigning by Ron Wolf. A Brown County referendum was approved by Brown County voters on September 12, 2000. The project was completed in 2003.
Super Bowl XLV
October 16, 2024
1-3 p.m.
The Packers were devout proponents a draft-and-develop philosophy under the direction of general manager, Ted Thompson. Yet they weren't afraid to take advantage of free agency and signed Charles Woodson, who would become a key player in the 2010 Packers’ defense, leading the team in three straight playoff victories on the road to winning Super Bowl XLV. That year, Green Bay became the second #6 seed to win a Super Bowl.
A NFC Thrill Ride
October 23, 2024
1-3 p.m.
The Packers became accustomed to close playoff calls. The most thrilling were divisional playoff wins over the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 and 2016 to reach the NFC Championship game twice in three years. The 2016 NFC Championship game would mark Green Bay’s fourth appearance in ten seasons (2007-2016), the most in the NFC over that span.
Pedigree Wins Out
October 30, 2024
1-3 p.m.
Packers president Mark Murphy placed a premium on pedigree by hiring the team’s current general manager and head coach. Brain Gutekunst cut his teeth under Hall of Fame general manager, Ron Wolf, and Matt LaFleur came from the coaching lineage of Mike Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach of the Denver Broncos. LaFleur led the team to the most wins by any head coach in NFL history in his first three seasons. Gutekunst restocked the roster with talented players as the Packers became the youngest team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to win a playoff game.
Earn a Digital Badge
Upon successful completion of all eight sessions, you will receive an exclusive UW-Green Bay credential, a digital badge validating your accomplishment and signaling to employers your mastery of the curriculum. The digital badge can be featured on LinkedIn, your resume, email signature and website.
Instructor
Brent Hensel
Curator, Green Bay Packers Hall of FameBrent began his museum career as an intern with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which led to working for the New England Patriots. He helped create and implement their museum, the Hall at Patriot Place and worked there for seven years. In 2013, he returned to Wisconsin and helped renovate the Packers Hall of Fame. A big part of his job is to preserve the history of the Packers organization, which has already over a century of history and continues to create special moments on and off the field each season. The Hall of Fame gets to record, safeguard, and illustrate all of this, and then share it with all the Packers fans out there.
Have Questions
If you have any questions about this certificate, please contact Heidi Jahnke, Program Specialist, at jahnkeh@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2356.