10/01/2026
Four buses. One game at Lambeau. And a day I won’t forget. 🏈🚌
Badgers vs. Notre Dame was supposed to be the busiest day in Gabriel The Promoter history. Hermes, Athena and Hercules were privately rented, plus I rented another bus for a pre-party and shuttle out of Red Rock Saloon Madison . GTP was responsible for 155 people getting to and from Green Bay.
I was up at 6 AM double-checking buses. Hermes departed at 9, Hercules at 11, Athena at 12:30 and the Red Rock shuttle at 1, with pre-party and check-in mixed in.
Everything went great…until it didn’t.
My driver called to say Hercules wouldn’t accelerate. I started making calls. Right after sending the Red Rock shuttle off, I learned Hercules had broken down about an hour outside Green Bay.
Kate from Fox Sports shared the scene, and it went viral. I’m thankful she captured the WI Distributors crew making the best of it: instruments, cheers and a roadside party. Passing cars honked and cheered right back. 😂🍻
While they kept their spirits up, I secured a replacement bus and drove it to them. Everyone arrived before the game with time to spare.
But honestly? It took me a while to appreciate that ending. I felt like I had failed. I felt empty. Amid the messages, texts and calls, I couldn’t see past the fact that the day hadn’t gone the way I pictured it.
When people trust me with their plans, their celebrations and their day, I take that personally. I put a lot into maintaining my fleet and preparing backup plans, but having to put one into action still hit me hard.
Even with everyone checking on me and saying they had a great time, it was a tough pill to swallow.
Looking through these pictures and talking with riders and those closest to me helped me see the whole picture.
Every rental and the shuttle made it to Lambeau. Everyone made it home safely. Memories were made along the way. That’s what matters.
To everyone who rode with us, stayed patient, checked in and helped make that happen, thank you. So much preparation, coordination and responsibility goes into these trips, and your trust means everything to me.
Cheers to all of you, and to a day that gave us one hell of a story. 🍻
Gabriel The Promoter
