Each month during the 2015-16 season, we will be featuring a “Phoenix Fund Member of the Month” to better connect our fans with these important supporters of our programs. This month we caught up with Jess Miller.
Name: Jess Miller
Occupation: Owner of the The Bar franchise, Graystone Ale House, and Hagemeister Park
Phoenix Fund Member since: 1998
Phoenix Season Ticket Holder since: 1988
Areas of Involvement: Jess is an active member of the Phoenix Fund Board, Phoenix Packers Steak Fry committee member and donates both dollars and a significant amount of assistance with Phoenix Fund events and team meals throughout all of his locations.
Background: Jess is originally from Denmark, WI. He attended University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for Radio/TV/ Film and then relocated to Arizona. In 1988, he moved back to the area and bought The Bar. He is currently involved in nine different locations across the state. Along with his incredibly busy work schedule, Jess and his wife Patty are major supporters of athletics throughout the area including youth and high school sports of all kinds. They have four daughters and live in De Pere.
We sat down with Jess to learn more about his experience as a Phoenix Fund member, here's what he had to say:
What is your favorite thing about Phoenix Athletics? We are a small Division 1 school and we get the chance to take on the big teams in Division 1 athletics. It is neat to see the success of the local “Wisconsin” kids. The need to keep the talent around Green Bay is amazing. Starting as a fan growing up around here and going to men's basketball games was always a fun thing to do. I have always been a fan of college basketball. Now, as a business person, I see athletics in a different light. I am able to get to know these student-athletes, and I have become a fan of all the sports teams at Green Bay. Because of their teamwork experience, they will become valuable employees in their specific fields when they graduate. The lifelong lessons that these students learn are priceless, and it is always rewarding to see that when you talk to any of them. Being part of the Phoenix Fund, we are able to make college a better experience for all student-athletes.
What is your favorite Phoenix memory? My favorite memory was when we knocked off California in the NCAA tournament. That was years ago, but it was still impressive and fun to watch us take out such a big team. Also the conference tournaments—when they were held at one location were always fun to go and watch.
What was the inspiration for dedicating a room to Phoenix Athletics? Because The Bar is a sports bar, the decision to make a room just for Phoenix Athletics wasn't a hard one. It used to be just college athletics, but because Green Bay is local, we decided that some local flavor would be better than a general college athletic room. It is still in progress, but it is coming along nicely. It is at the East Green Bay location.
To learn more about the Phoenix Fund and how you can get involved, visit: http://www.greenbayphoenix.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209247808&DB_OEM_ID=22500&DB_OEM_ID=22500
