In 2003, the Green Bay Blizzard officially became the 27th member of af2, also known as arenafootball2, a developmental league of the Arena Football League. Since that inception, the Blizzard have treated fans to nine playoff appearances, four division championships, one conference championship, one Arena Cup appearance and 144 victories!
20 seasons and 21 years later, despite the disappearance of the AFL and af2, as well as countless franchises, the Green Bay Blizzard remain and celebrate two decades of 50-yard, fast-paced, hard-hitting, wall-crashing, affordable family fun!
Unveiled Logo at 2002 Press Conference (Photo courtesy of Rick Schaffer)
Seven members of the inaugural 2003 roster joined in the fun of the 20th Season Celebration on Saturday, May 20th against the Iowa Barnstormers. They were honored during Halftime for laying the foundation of the Blizzard franchise that we all know and love. Let's learn a little more about those alumni, their experiences in a Blizzard uniform, and where life's journey has taken them.
Blizzard: Boy Behind the Brand
Before a helmet was issued, a roster was printed, and a down of football was played, an indoor arena football team was given a name. Enter then-11-year-old Zak Mielke, a lifelong Green Bay native who won a Name-the-Team contest in 2002 and was paid handsomely (from an 11 year old's perspective) for his creativity. The moniker survived a logo upgrade in 2015 and is often seen and heard with an "s" on the end (Blizzards). The organization was able to reconnect with Zak in the Fall of 2022 and officially welcome him back in 2023!
Zak in 2002 (Photo courtesy of Rick Schaffer) Zak in 2023 (Photo courtesy of Alex Rossi)
"Humble" Beginnings
The first game in Blizzard history was played on March 31st, 2003 against the Hawaii Islanders. You read that correctly; players on the 2003 roster got to play their first game on the road in Hawaii! In fact, for Tony Ebeling (#5; WR/LB), Tyler Hill (#90; OL/DL) and Ramon Robinson (#17; QB), that 4-day road trip was a highlight of that season, despite falling to the Islanders, 37-48.
Tony Ebeling at practice (Photo courtesy of Rick Schaffer) Tyler Hill (Photo courtesy of Alex Rossi) Ramon Robinson in 2003 (Photo courtesy of Rick Schaffer)
As is often the case with many expansion franchises, the Blizzard struggled in the first season, finishing with a 2-14 record. However, for most players, it was about the journey and opportunities that playing in Green Bay afforded them.
Tony Ebeling and Dustin Sagedahl (#33; FB/LB/OL/DL) both reminisce about the teammates who became roommates who became lifelong friends, "living the football life 24-7, cooking food on a George Foreman grill by the pool" at the hotel they called home. Recalls Sagedahl, "You didn't get paid much but it was all worth it."
Kevin Washington (#92; TE/DE) remembers fondly the first time he ran out of the tunnel before a game at the Resch. "The crowd that night was beyond special and helped me to understand the true passion the city of Green Bay has for football."
Kevin Washington (Photo courtesy of Rick Schaffer) Dustin Sagedahl and his son (Photo courtesy of Alex Rossi)
Dr. Marco Walder (#14/#88; OL/DL/WR/LB), who unfortunately could not attend the 20th Season Celebration, credits his time in Green Bay for laying the foundation for an impressive career in education. "Working at a local day-care…truly inspired me to want a career in education, to work with the youth, and be the change I wanted to see in the world. Being on the Blizzard was truly life-changing and the bonds will live forever." Dr. Walder currently serves as an Education Math Consultant for Great Minds and is also a published author!
Marco Walder in 2003 (Photo courtesy of Rick Schaffer)
Inspiring Young People
It is impressive to see so many of our 2003 alumni actively involved in educating young people, whether that be in the classroom or on the football field. Terry Foster (#4; WR/DB) was in the house for our 20th Season Celebration, but in a unique capacity. Two weeks prior, Coach Foster was hired as the Defensive Coordinator for the rival Iowa Barnstormers!
Coach Foster (holding up the jersey behind Bruiser) with his teammates before his coaching duties kicked in on May 20th
Ramon Robinson dove into coaching after his 9-year playing career concluded. His EPT Football Academy and private quarterback instruction has produced nearly 400 college student-athletes since 2011! Kevin Washington is the owner of KW-Ignites Performance Training. KW-Ignites currently has over 100 high school, college, and NFL-caliper Defensive Linemen participating in the program!
Tony Ebeling affirms his time with the Blizzard allowed him to meet his wife of now 17 years, Heather, which in turn allowed him to settle in the area, raise a family, teach in Green Bay, coach at Southwest High School, and eventually become the principal at Bay Harbor Elementary in Suamico.
Anders Hill in 2023 (Photo courtesy of Tyler Thomas) Nate Lehman in 2003 (Photo courtesy of Rick Schaffer)
Dr. Nate Lehman (#8/#11; WR/DB) followed a similar path, first as a coach and teacher in Fond du Lac before serving as a principal in Mosinee. He recently transitioned in 2022 to the role of superintendent of the Stratford School District. Anders Hill (#95; OL/DL) is a fellow superintendent of schools for the Houghton-Portage Township in Houghton, MI. Anders had the opportunity to visit Blizzard Training Camp at Michigan Tech this past March!
Blizzard Brothers
Most football players consider their teammates their "brothers", but in the case of the 2003 Blizzard roster, two actual brothers got to play alongside each other. Says Anders, the elder Hill, "My brother Tyler and I went to an open tryout for the Blizzard while I was student teaching in Iron Mountain. We received invites to camp together, made it through training camp and played together. This was an incredible experience to share. This was our first opportunity to play football together on the same team."
Brothers and teammates Tyler and Anders Hill hug at Halftime on May 20th (Photo courtesy of Alex Rossi)
The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same…
Over the course of 20 seasons, the Blizzard have endured one league change (from af2 to the IFL), ownership changes (Treanklers are the longest-tenured in their 10 years of ownership), a rebrand in 2015 and rosters that change annually. Yet, the Blizzard persist. Bruiser has matured in 21 years…
Bruiser in 2003 (Photo courtesy of Rick Schaffer) Bruiser with Nate Lehman May 20th (Photo courtesy of Alex Rossi)
The fans have stayed tried and true…
Dustin Sagedahl and Kevin Washington with Blizzard fan Mitch Nolan (Photo courtesy of Alex Rossi)
And these guys still look like they could play…
Photo courtesy of Cormac McInnis
Happy 20th Season Blizzard fans and thank you to the members of the 2003 squad for joining in our celebration! We hope for many more years of indoor football fun!
