I attended by first UW- Badger football game at Camp Randall in over 15 years on Sept. 6, and even though I didn’t see much of the game itself, it was a rewarding experience as myself and other Fennimore volunteers worked at a concession stand in the stadium for a good cause.
This Wisconsin Badger Football season, the Fennimore Area Foundation (FAF) is serving as a nonprofit organization overseeing the Stand A concession stand for all of the 2025 Badger Football home games. Proceeds from the concession stand go toward the annual 7th Grade Educational Trip to Washington D.C.
Laura Maier, Stand Lead, stated, “The goal at the end of the day is to raise funds so all students can go on the annual D.C. trip.” Maier said this is her second year involved with the stand, after previously partnering with the Cuba City School District. Starting last football season, the concession stand was able to start serving alcohol in addition to soda, brats, hot dogs, and nachos. “So as you can imagine, commissions/profits pretty much doubled once alcohol became available at the stands,” Maier explained. With Cuba City filling their stand with groups, the FAF stepped forward to provide an opportunity for the Fennimore community.
One drawback with alcohol sales, is that only those 18 years and older can work at it, eliminating volunteer help from students. 11 volunteers are recommended to work at the stand at each home game, so the Foundation looks toward parents, grandparents, past graduates, community members, or anyone who wants to pitch in and help out to raise funds for the once-in-a-lifetime educational trip to our nation’s capital.
“No experience is necessary,” Maier explained. “Just need to have a good attitude and be willing to learn.”
“It gets crazy busy, but it is a lot of fun,” she went on to say.
And from my experience volunteering on Sept. 6, that statement is correct. I worked the cash register that day, and I’m surprised I didn’t wear the floor down a few inches from all the pivoting I and the others on register did reaching for beer,
Besides the official title of point of sale (order taking/cash register), other concession stand duties were wrapping brats and hot dogs, making nachos, filling drinks, restocking condiments, etc.
Every customer I encountered was in good spirits, some more than others if you catch my drift, but all in good fun as they say. Plus, the Badgers won against Middle Tennessee State 42-10.
I will admit, my back and foot were on the sore side at the end of day and I think my left index finger is half an inch shorter from all the cans of beer I opened Saturday, but it was all well worth it.
Maier did state a few volunteers are still needed for the Badger Homecoming game on Sept. 20 against Maryland, and the Oct. 11 game against Iowa. In addition to the D.C. trip, the Post Prom Committee and Fennimore Travel Club raise funds by helping to fill spots. Those interested in volunteering should contact Laura Maier at maier_21@yahoo.com or Ryanne Carl of the Fennimore Travel Club at carlr@fennimore.k12.wi.us.
“Ryanne (a physical education teacher at Fennimore High School) has been a big part of organizing paperwork and securing volunteers,” Maier stated.
If anyone is interested in volunteering, but unavailable this football season, Maier stated that the Foundation will have a concession stand at least five home events at the Kohl Center this winter, most likely from men’s basketball and hockey games.
Maier wishes to thank the Fennimore Area Foundation for stepping up and providing the community an avenue to help raise funds for the Fennimore Community.
