Thanks to the Appleton Historical Society for a fascinating football exhibit

Among the thorough and fascinating new features on display at the Appleton Historical Society’s new football exhibit is a tribute to my dad, Ron Kostelnik.

We’re all so honored by the tribute and grateful for all the hard work that went into the exhibit.

In addition to the replica locker featuring my dad , there are lockers honoring Appleton native and all-around super hero Rocky Bleier, three-time Division III All American Scott Reppert and Dr. Chuck McKee, a first team All American quarterback.

The exhibit also includes a display of helmets that demonstrate the transition from the thin leather versions that only protected players’ ears to the high-tech protective headgear today’s players wear.

Appleton native Dr. Ann McKee, one of the nation’s foremost authorities on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), also contributed to a display and she’ll speak on the subject next month.

The amount of research that went into putting together the history of football in Appleton is astounding. It’s a rich history, too, dating all the way back to 1893.

My mom, Peggy Kostelnik, and I worked closely with AHS’s Carol Jansen, who put in countless hours curating the display. We got a sneak peak last week, and then my mom, my sisters, sister in-law, niece and nephew were able to attend the grand opening last weekend.

Our family moved to Appleton in 1971, following my dad’s retirement from the NFL. We lived in a house across the street from the park, and became very involved in the community. Most Sundays, you’d find my family members on the tennis courts across the street, knocking the tennis ball around. My mom taught herself and then my dad to play tennis on the public courts in Cincinnati. The rest of us got our start in tennis through the Appleton Recreation Program summer classes.

We’ve also been very involved in the high school football scene here in Appleton. My brother Mike played four years of football at Xavier, and my sons Vinnie and Charlie each played four years for football for Appleton North. My mom called herself a Gridiron Grandma during those years and showed up cheerfully at every game. My dad helped coach the Xavier football team after my brother graduated, and he really enjoyed that experience.

My siblings and I all graduated from Appleton High Schools, and my mom taught English and coached the boys’ high school tennis team at Xavier High School. We loved growing up here, in a city full of parks and recreational opportunities and within such a supportive and friendly community.

So, we’re delighted the AHS included my dad in their display.

You can check out the Appleton Historical Society’s football display on Thurs. from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (free admission from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.), Fri. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.