October 2011

Question:

Dear Abbot Pennings,

Where did St. Norbert College football games take place prior to Schneider and Minahan stadiums?

Connor Romenesko ’15

Answer:

My dear Connor,

Thank you kindly for writing. St. Norbert football history extends back to the early days of the college. It was in 1901 that the first football team was formed.



The college fielded football teams from 1901 to 1930, to our great pride, though football did not become an official intercollegiate varsity sport until 1931. The team played five games that season, including two home games at City Stadium. This facility, located on the Green Bay East High School campus, was home to the early Green Bay Packers.

During this same season, St. Norbert played its inaugural Homecoming game against Platteville School of Mines. How pleasing it was that the Green Knights triumphed 38-0.

Prior to the 1938 opening of Dr. John R. Minahan Stadium, St. Norbert football teams also played at Legion Park in East De Pere and at the Brown County fairgrounds.

Donald J. Schneider Stadium became the team’s home venue in 2010. On Oct. 15, countless fans will gather there for this year’s Homecoming game, in which St. Norbert will take on Carroll University. With luck, we will see our Green Knights victorious once more.

Responses to “Ask the Abbot” questions are penned by St. Norbert College staff in the name of Abbot Bernard Pennings, O.Praem., who founded St. Norbert College in 1898.