News

Spring Valley man is No. 1 fan of Packers star
October 31, 2008

By Chris Vetter
Chippewa Falls News Bureau

Travis Hannack is a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan. He travels to Lambeau Field several times each fall to see them play.

Hannack is particularly impressed with wide receiver Greg Jennings.

"He is unlike today's stereotypical wide receiver," Hannack said. "He doesn't gloat in the media or bash his teammates or demand the ball be thrown to him."

Hannack, 33, of Spring Valley, recently was named president of Jennings' fan club. Last summer he heard Jennings give a radio interview about starting his own fan club, with the money raised going to the Greg Jennings Foundation.

Hannack wrote a one-page letter stating why he should be president, and he was selected in September.

"I played wide receiver in high school and in college, so I truly understand the position and very much respect the talent of Greg," Hannack wrote in his application. "I think as receivers, we will always support and appreciate the coordination and importance of our brothers at the position."

Stacy Jenson, president of Milwaukee-based Elite Sports and Public Relations, said Hannack was the perfect choice for president because he stressed how much he knew about Jennings and didn't just call himself a diehard, lifelong Packers fan.

"We received hundreds and hundreds of letters," Jenson said. "His letter just jumped out to us. He was just very real with Greg. He explained his own life experience. We were just really impressed he really knew Greg."

A lifetime membership in the fan club costs $50, and members receive an autographed picture from Jennings, a T-shirt, membership card and invitations to any special events involving Jennings.

The Greg Jennings Foundation is a nonprofit, Christian-based organization that benefits underprivileged children and families. It grants money to after-school programs, college preparation courses, teen parenting programs and to Habitat For Humanity, an organization that builds homes and sells them at below-market cost to low-income families.

"One of the big things he got involved in was Habitat For Humanity," Hannack said. "If people see a Green Bay Packer out there, they are more apt to get out there and do it themselves."

Hannack also is impressed that Jennings wants to return to his family's church in Michigan when he retires from football and work there.

Fan club membership has jumped as Jennings has promoted the foundation in recent national television interviews, Hannack said.

"The phone started ringing, the merchandise started moving and membership is growing," Hannack said. "It really helped out sales, and all the proceeds go to his foundation."

Hannack isn't just a fan from a distance, either. He met with Jennings at a tailgate party in Green Bay after the Packers played the Atlanta Falcons this fall.

"He came over after losing a tough game," Hannack said. "He always has a huge smile on his face, and he took time to sign everyone's autographs. He's never in a bad mood. You see an interview with him, and he always has a smile on his face."

As president of the fan club, Hannack's job includes writing monthly updates for the Web site, creating interest in the foundation and organizing events for club members.

Hannack owns Bill's Bar in Spring Valley - a sports bar - and plans to host a Jennings club event in March.

"We are looking to set up events and 'meet-and-greets.' Greg likes to meet as many of his fans as possible," Hannack said. "My job is to promote that and make people aware of the foundation."

Jenson said Hannack is doing a great job as president.

"He's been wonderful to work with," Jenson said. "The fans on the west side of the state are well-represented through him. He's very humble - there's nothing phony about him."

The Jennings club Web site includes many pictures of Bill's Bar, with Jennings memorabilia lining the walls of the tavern.

Hannack isn't sure how long he will be president. He's fine if someone else is named president next year, but he's going to enjoy his time.

"It's pretty easy to be a Greg Jennings fan," he said.