From Pulaski to Lambeau: Band Alumni Duel in Shamrock Series
Source: WBAY TV-2 Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — For two Pulaski High School marching band alumni, the Shamrock Series at Lambeau Field this weekend is more than just a football game. It is a homecoming, a reunion, and a friendly rivalry all rolled into one.
Faith Nowakowski and Riley Mommaerts spent years playing together in the same section of the Pulaski High School marching band, building a bond through music and performance. Now, as college freshmen, they will find themselves on opposite sides of the field. Nowakowski marches with the renowned Notre Dame marching band, while Mommaerts represents the University of Wisconsin-Madison band. The matchup, part of the annual Shamrock Series, brings the Fighting Irish to Lambeau to face the Badgers.
“It’s kind of interesting and kind of weird, because I was always used to playing with him in the same band,” Nowakowski said. “Now it’s going to be different. No hard feelings, though. I’m going to root for my team. You’re going to root for yours.”
Mommaerts echoed that sentiment with a grin. “I don’t know, it’s kind of cool. Hope my side wins, but you know.”
Both are thrilled to perform at Lambeau Field, a venue steeped in football lore and deeply familiar to anyone from Wisconsin. For Mommaerts, the most anticipated moment is the tunnel entrance. “The moment I’m looking forward to the most is coming out of the tunnel onto the field. That’s always very hype and very exciting.”
Nowakowski, who plays in the baritone section, has been hyping the experience to her college bandmates. “I’m just so excited, honestly, because I’m telling everyone in my baritone section that, hey, I live here, I could be your tour guide. The stadium’s huge, you’ll have to see it. It’s just amazing.”
The Shamrock Series is a neutral-site event that Notre Dame uses to bring its brand to different cities. This year’s stop in Green Bay adds a layer of local resonance, as both bands will share the same field where the Packers play. For Nowakowski and Mommaerts, the game is a chance to showcase their musical growth while honoring their roots.
Family and friends from Pulaski will be in the stands, cheering for both sides. The families plan to spend the day together, enjoying the spectacle and the rare opportunity to see their children perform on such a grand stage. No matter which team wins, the day will be a celebration of community, friendship, and the enduring power of marching band.
“It’s like coming full circle,” Nowakowski added. “We started at Pulaski, and now we’re back here at Lambeau, but on different teams. It’s wild.”
The game is scheduled for Saturday, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT. Both bands will perform during pregame, halftime, and throughout the game, adding their own musical firepower to the atmosphere.
For Mommaerts, the experience is a dream come true. “Growing up, I always watched games at Lambeau. Now to be performing here with the Badger band? It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Article commentary
The story of Faith Nowakowski and Riley Mommaerts captures a quintessentially American narrative: the intersection of local roots, collegiate rivalry, and the unifying power of music. Their journey from Pulaski High School to Lambeau Field, performing for the Notre Dame and Wisconsin marching bands, is a microcosm of how sports and the arts can bring communities together, even as they compete. This tale resonates beyond the novelty of two former bandmates facing off. It highlights the often-overlooked role of marching bands in the college football experience. While the spotlight typically falls on the players, band members are the heartbeat of game-day atmosphere, providing rhythm, energy, and tradition. Nowakowski and Mommaerts represent thousands of student musicians who dedicate countless hours to perfecting their craft, often without the same recognition as athletes. Lambeau Field, as a venue, adds another layer of significance. The stadium is a cathedral of football, known for its frozen tundra and passionate Packers fans. Hosting a neutral-site game like the Shamrock Series is a strategic move by Notre Dame to expand its brand, but it also allows local talent like these two to perform on a stage they might otherwise never reach. For Wisconsin natives, this is a rare chance to see their state’s two major college bands—Notre Dame and UW-Madison—share the same turf. The rivalry between the Fighting Irish and the Badgers is intense, but the camaraderie between the two bands and their families underscores a deeper truth: competition does not have to breed animosity. Both families plan to enjoy the day together, a testament to the small-town values of Pulaski, where community and support transcend team colors. From a broader perspective, this story is a reminder of the power of place. The Shamrock Series is a traveling spectacle, but its true magic lies in the local connections it creates. For Nowakowski and Mommaerts, returning to northeast Wisconsin is not just a performance—it is a homecoming. Their excitement is palpable, and their pride in their hometown is evident. While the game’s outcome will determine bragging rights, the real winner is the spirit of collaboration and shared history. As marching band alumni continue to forge paths across the country, stories like this will keep the tradition alive, inspiring future generations to pick up an instrument and march to their own beat.