Running Time: 50 min Aspect Ratio: HD 16:9 Sound: Dolby Digital Contact: Mary Schmidt Schmidt Communicates 920-284-7165 mkschmidt@centurytel.net www.jackienitschkecenter.com
CHAMPION. THE legacy of jackie Nitschke. The powerful story of Jackie Nitschke the first Green Bay Packer wife to publicly acknowledge her struggle with, and recovery from, alcohol addiction. Through interviews with former NFL players and their wives, Jackie s own family members, addiction experts, and alumni of The Jackie Nitschke Center for Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation, the film captures not only Jackie s fascinating story, but the cocktail culture of her generation, the psychology of addiction and relapse, and the myriad ways in which lives in chaos can be saved through treatment and recovery. Spanning the glory years of the Green Bay Packers to the present day, CHAMPION captures both the agony of addiction and triumph of breaking free from it. Jackie told it like it was. If you re lying to yourself, she would point that out. She knew the devastation of the illness and didn t mince words. Bill LaBine, Executive Director, Jackie Nitschke Center My mom knew that she was the one that had to change her life and that no one else was going to do that for her. She wasn t ashamed of her addiction. She wasn t ashamed of what she fought to overcome. Amy Nitschke My father said to me that morning, I hate you. And I remember looking in my father s eyes and saying, I hate me, too. When a father can think that he hates his oldest son, and when the oldest can think he hates himself, I mean, that s a pretty powerful illness. William Moyers, VP Public Affairs & Community Relations, Hazelden Families need to be taught how to support the person, how not to throw them away, how to keep loving them through addiction, and how to see them through it, and to be there when that person is out of recovery. Beverly Lofton
Synopsis CHAMPION: THE LEGACY OF JACKIE NITSCHKE If you thought Green Bay Packers Legend Ray Nitschke was tough, wait till you meet his wife, Jackie. CHAMPION: The Legacy of Jackie Nitschke is a new documentary that tells the powerful story of Jackie Nitschke the first Green Bay Packer wife to publicly acknowledge her struggle with, and recovery from, alcohol addiction. The film offers a detailed look into the pressures and challenges Jackie and many other wives and family members faced living in the fishbowl of professional sports. At a time when women were relegated to the sidelines, Jackie came to stand out as an outspoken advocate for alcohol treatment whose tremendous courage has an impact on addicts even to this day thorough the Jackie Nitschke Center. Addiction reaches beyond race, gender, or class, and CHAMPION explores the heartbreaking cycle of substance abuse through testimonials and stories from addicts, family members, and others impacted by this terrible disease. Through interviews with Bart and Cherry Starr, Chester Marcol, Paul Hornung, and Beverly Lofton, as well as William Moyers and other addiction experts, and alumni of The Jackie Nitschke Center for Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation, the film captures not only Jackie s fascinating story, but the cocktail culture of her generation, the psychology of addiction and relapse, and the myriad ways in which lives in chaos can be saved through treatment and recovery. Spanning the glory years of the Green Bay Packers to the present day, CHAMPION captures both the agony of addiction and triumph of breaking free from it.
CREW Directed By Jim Rivett Produced By Shelly Young Written By Shelly Young, Jim Rivett, Mary Gregory Executive Producer Jim Rivett Associate Producers Mary Gregory, Jessica Nordell Edited By Jason Davis, Rick Kump Music Supervisor Tara Hess This Film Made Possible with the Generous Support of Billie Kress, Long Family Foundation, Green Bay Packers, Edward Martin, Philip Flynn and Lois Grace Golde, Bill LaBine, Jeff and Debra Marlow, Jackie Nitschke Center Alumni Group, Robert Toonen, Michele Van Horn, Dr. s Donna and Kirk Scattergood, Conway, Olejniczak & Jerry, S.C., Nancy Thompson, Phil Enscoe, Barb and Pat O Hern, Ron and Karen Miller, Jim Kalny, Rose Maloney
Songs in CHAMPION 1. Tired Of Today Etta Britt 2. Holding On To You Nathan Mathes 3. Never Vice Versa Nathan Mathes 4. Ever Since I Came Alive Andy Davis 5. The Shift Into The Side Nathan Mathes 6. Never Mind The Thaw Nathan Mathes
www.jackienitschkecenter.com 2014 Jackie Nitschke Center William LaBine Jackie Nitschke Center, Inc. 630 Cherry Street Green Bay, WI 54301 920-435-2093