- Dominic Olejniczak
-
Dominic Olejniczak was the mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin and was president and chairman of the Board of the Green Bay Packers.[1]
Mr. Olejniczak was born on August 18, 1908 to John A. and Victoria Olejniczak in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was a lifelong resident of the city and on November 24, 1938, married Regina Bettine at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. Dom and Gina lovingly adopted two sons, Thomas Marshall Olejniczak and Mark Dominic Olejniczak.[2]
Dominic served as alderman from 1936 to 1944 and served as a mayor of Green Bay from 1945 to 1955.[3] During his tenure as mayor, the city of Green Bay built a pipeline to Lake Michigan for its water supply. Also, the beltline around the city was planned and developed under Mr. Olejniczak's supervision.[4]
Dominic's love for Green Bay Packers Football began when the team was young. He was attending East High School and lived not far from the stadium which at that time was located on East High School grounds.[5] At that time, a youngster could walk into the stadium with a player and carry his headgear and Dominic was among them.[6] His interest never waned. He continued to be an ardent backer during his years as alderman and as mayor. On July 10, 1950, Mr. Olejniczak was named to the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors and the bond grew stronger. In his dual role as mayor and board member that year, he was a leader in the civic drive that netted more than $100,000 and helped save the franchise.[7]
Dominic Olejniczak was named to the Executive Committee of the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors in January 1952. Six years later, in 1958, he became President of the only publicly owned National Football League (NFL) franchise.[8] When he took over the Packer presidency the team had not had a winning record in 10 years.[9] Mr. Olejniczak was a prime mover in building the new City Stadium and was instrumental in hiring New York Giants assistant Vince Lombardi in 1959.[10] The decision to hire Mr. Lombardi led to the most successful era in the team's history as Mr. Lombardi led the Packers to five championships.[11]
After serving 24 years as Packer President, more than anyone in the team's history, Dominic Olejniczak resigned as president on June 1, 1982, and was succeeded by Judge Robert J. Parins.[12] At that time, Mr. Olejniczak was named the first Packer Chairman of the Board and served in that role until 1989.[13] Mr. Olejniczak was inducted into the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame in 1979.[14]
Prior to entering public service, Dominic was a real estate broker.[15] Mr. Olejniczak received the Knighthood of St. Gregory from Bishop Wycislo and an honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from St. Norbert College in 1986. He was the first lay President of Premontre High School (later changed to Notre Dame de la Baie Academy).[16]
Dominic Olejniczak died at age 80 after suffering numerous strokes.[17][18]
Mr. Olejniczak's legacy with the City of Green Bay and the Green Bay Packers Football Organization continues through his sons. Thomas Olejniczak is a highly respected attorney in Green Bay.[19] Thomas also serves on the Board of Directors for the Green Bay Packers Football Organization.[20] Mark D. Olejniczak followed in his father's early footsteps and cultivated a highly successful real estate firm in Green Bay, Wisconsin.[21] Dominic's sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren remain devoted Green Bay Packer fans today.
References
- ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame bio page". packershalloffame.org. http://www.packershalloffame.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=55. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame". http://www.packershalloffame.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=55.
- ^ "Dominic Olejniczak, Sports Executive". The New York Times. April 17, 1989. http://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/17/obituaries/dominic-olejniczak-sports-executive-80.html.
- ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame". http://www.packershalloffame.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=55.
- ^ "Dominic Olejniczak, Sports Executive". The New York Times. April 17, 1989. http://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/17/obituaries/dominic-olejniczak-sports-executive-80.html.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame". http://www.packershalloffame.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=55.
- ^ "Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame". http://www.packershalloffame.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78&Itemid=55.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Mayors of Green Bay". http://www.ci.green-bay.wi.us/mayors_past/mayor_olejniczak.html.
- ^ "Dominic Olejniczak, Sports Executive". The New York Times. April 17, 1989. http://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/17/obituaries/dominic-olejniczak-sports-executive-80.html.
- ^ "Thomas M. Olejniczak". http://www.lcojlaw.com/lcojlaw/attorneys/thomas+m+olejniczak/default.asp.
- ^ "Green Bay Packers Executive Committee and Board of Directors". http://www.packers.com/team/executive-committee.html.
- ^ "Mark D. Olejniczak Realty, Inc.". http://www.olej.com/about.asp.
NFL Alumni Order of the Leather Helmet 1978: Pete Rozelle, George Halas, Art Rooney | 1979: Paul Brown, Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski | 1980: Don Shula, Wellington Mara, Dominic Olejniczak, Pro Football Hall of Fame | 1981: Lamar Hunt, Tom Landry | 1982: William Bidwill, Alex Wojciechowicz, Bud Grant | 1983: F. William Harder, LeRoy Neiman | 1985: George P. Marshall, Weeb Ewbank | 1986: Howard Cosell, Vince Lombardi, Vic Maitland | 1987: Ray Scott, Steve Sabol, Ed Sabol, Bert Bell | 1988: Raymond Berry | 1989: Tex Schramm | 1990: Bill Dudley, Ollie Matson, Steve Van Buren | 1991: Hugh McElhenny 1992: Chuck Bednarik, Art Modell | 1993: Elroy Hirsch, Marion Motley | 1994: Sid Luckman, Sammy Baugh | 1995: Otto Graham, Chuck Noll | 1996: Johnny Unitas, Curt Gowdy | 1997: Pat Summerall, Ralph Wilson | 1998: Jim Brown, Al Davis | 1999: Bobby Mitchell, Paul Tagliabue | 2000: Len Dawson, Deacon Jones | 2001: Mike McCormack, Mel Renfro | 2002: Mel Blount, Jim Otto, Jim Tunney | 2003: Tom Flores, Willie Davis | 2004: Dick Vermeil, Val Pinchbeck, Don Weiss | 2005: Larry Wilson, Joe Greene | 2007: Sonny Jurgensen, Jack Youngblood | 2008: Eric Dickerson, John Madden, Alex SpanosCategories:- 1908 births
- 1989 deaths
- Wisconsin city council members
- Mayors of Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Green Bay Packers executives
- National Football League team presidents
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