By Mara Allen

Contributing Writer

GREEN BAY – For 20 seasons, the Green Bay Blizzard have provided the community with “hard hitting, affordable family fun.”

On April 21, the Blizzard hosted their largest crowd in history — a Resch Center sell out — with over 7,600 tickets sold.

It was a culmination of a great deal of hard work from many different people.

Players have visited dozens of schools throughout the last two months to make connections with local students and families, and front office staff members have cultivated strong relationships and partnerships with local businesses and groups.

“We’re really proud of our relationship with the Green Bay community,” said Selena Cashman, who works on community relations and group sales for the organization. “Without their support, the Blizzard wouldn’t be here.”

While other teams in the Indoor Football League (IFL) have played games in front of just a few hundred fans this season, the Resch Center has at least a several thousand attendees, providing the team with a true “home field” atmosphere.

Though the Blizzard dropped their April 21 matchup to the Sioux Falls Storm, fans still saw a back-and-forth, high-scoring game with tons of action.

Outside of football, the first 1500 kids through the doors received a special Blizzard youth jersey and fans were treated to plenty of entertainment during timeouts and halftime, something Blizzard owner Kathy Treankler strives to provide.

“It’s not just football,” Treankler said on Strictly Blizzness, a weekly podcast about the Blizzard and IFL. “People are coming for the entertainment side of it, the camaraderie and feeling the presence of being in a crowd like that… watching an event that you’re all experiencing together. That’s what this is all about.”

The Blizzard are trending towards another sell-out crowd for their May 5 game, reinforcing that the Green Bay community has bought into their mission.

Friday’s theme is Kids Night, as kids get in free with a paid adult ticket.

Fans can enjoy a post game laser show and take advantage of Cinco de Mayo specials.