Michael Wayne Huppert
Mike Huppert was born & raised in Bremen, IN (northern IN-20 miles from Notre Dame – 2hr drive to Indy), and graduated from Ball State in 1985.
Mike is married to wife Beth (34 years), and has two children. His son Mitch (28) is the Sports Information Director at Marian University and his daughter Chelsea (24) is a Resident at the Indiana VA as a Pharmacist.
Mike started attending Colts games in 1986 with his company's season tickets they purchased when the Colts moved to Indy. First in the Hoosier Dome, then RCA Dome, and now one of the best, Lucas Oil Stadium. They have always sat in the end zone – upper deck – and have little desire to move as they love to see the action from that view. There have been several close friends that have joined Mike over the years, including a very close friend that was killed in an accident after an away home football playoff game he was volunteering. He has so many memories of games over the years & the fun they had, my stories would need to be told in "book form"!
Most recently Mike's brother Dean (who nominated him), son Mitch & close friend Mark Manuszak are present ticket holders with together. Mike & his brother lost their mom in May, and they know she was watching (with their dad) when Mike was on the field receiving the huge surprise of this prestigious award. Mike & his brother are very close and support the Colts in many ways if not at home games, watching away games together at their homes, or different restaurant locations. If they get on a win streak, they keep going back to that establishment each away game until the win streak is broken. Since it was offered, the duo has become Forever Blue Members, and expect to be season ticket holders for many years to come. After taking over ownership of their tickets in the mid-90's, Mike has only missed several regular season games in the last 25 years (birth of my daughter & hip replacement surgery), never missed a playoff game & has made many away games as well. Mike has had flights cancelled and was even forced to drive up to 9 hours (one way) to an away game – last year to Baltimore MNF. He was even able to attend five of the eight home games during the 2020 season under limited capacity, including the first game with only 1,000 fans in the seats.
Mike's wife & family have been great about adjusting holiday & family gatherings, weekend events, & many other functions conflicting with Colts games. When the schedule comes out, the Huppert family calendar is updated & it is known months in advance when Mike will be in Indy & possibly when he will not be home due to a Colts' road game. Mike's family has celebrated Birthdays, Anniversaries, Thanksgiving & even Christmas at our tailgates.
Mike & his crew have tailgated in the heat, cold, rain, and even shoveled their area to tailgate after a foot of snow fell the night before! They have acquired enough tailgate equipment, now owning a utility trailer.
Mike owns 20+ player jerseys, several signed by his "hero's" and on display in his Colts "mancave." The entrance which greets you with Peyton & Andrew Fatheads. His favorite piece is a Peyton Manning signed helmet. He & his brother attended training camp in Anderson several times & waited for Peyton to sign it –so he is the only certificate of authenticity.
This Opportunity to be the Indianapolis Colts Fan of the Year is truly a special honor for Mike. He will cherish the memory of being selected, and the recognizing those Super Bowl tickets Blue was holding forever!