Sioux Falls Packers

The **Sioux Falls Packers** are a team of the Southwest Hockey Association, where they have played as a charter member since the league's inaugural 1969-70 season. Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Packers play their home games at the 4,760-seat Sioux Falls Arena.

## History

The Packers were the first MAHL team to hail from the state of South Dakota, and one of only four teams from the Mount Rushmore State (preceding their Southwest league-mates the Brookings Buffaloes, Yankton Paddlefish and Vermillion Trailblazers).

Before joining the Southwest Association, the Packers played their first 5 seasons (1965-1969) as a charter member of the Blue Earth Hockey League.

The Packers nickname honors the various meat-packing plants which helped make Sioux Falls the prosperous city it is today, as well as the largest city in the Dakotas.

So far, the Packers have won 13 League Titles (3 in the Blue Earth League and a League-best 10 in the Southwest Association) and appeared in 9 Super Series.

### Culture

#### The Slaughterhouse

Sioux Falls has one of the most intimidating home environments in all of the MAHL, going multiple seasons without losing a game at home and earning Sioux Falls Arena the nickname "The Slaughterhouse".

Sioux Falls super fans are called "The Butchers" and they are known for their incredible support both at home and on the road. Some diehard fans are even known to wear pig masks and pig noses to games.

#### War Pigs

Sioux Falls has been playing Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" as the Packers enter since the 1970 season. The tune has become the unofficial anthem of the team with fans singing along with custom chants added in.

Fans yell "Go Hogs!" and "Lets Go Hogs!" along with the guitar riffs.

Lyrics:

> *"(Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!) Generals gathered in their masses (Go Hogs!), Just like witches at black masses (Go Hogs!), Evil minds that plot destruction (Go Hogs!), Sorcerer of death's construction (Go Hogs!)*
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> *In the fields, the bodies burning (Go Hogs!), As the war machine keeps turning (Go Hogs!), Death and hatred to mankind (Go Hogs!), Poisoning their brainwashed minds, Oh lord, yeah!*
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> *(Lets Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!)*
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> *Politicians hide themselves away, They only started the war Why should they go out to fight? They leave that role to the poor, yeah*
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> *Time will tell on their power minds, Making war just for fun, Treating people just like pawns in chess Wait till their judgement day comes, yeah!*
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> *(Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!)*
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> *(Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), Now in darkness, world stops turning (Go Hogs!), Ashes where their bodies burning (Go Hogs!), No more war pigs have the power (Go Hogs!), Hand of God has struck the hour (Go Hogs!)*
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> *Day of judgement, God is calling (Go Hogs!), On their knees, the war pigs crawling (Go Hogs!), Begging mercy for their sins (Go Hogs!), Satan laughing, spreads his wings, Oh lord, yeah! (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!)*
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> *(Lets Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!), (Lets Go Hogs!)"*
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### Harry the Hog

Beginning in 1976, the Packers have a live mascot named Harry the Hog. A living 600-pound Hampshire pig, Harry wears a maroon towel with his name on it to keep him warm in the arena. Cared for by one lucky Sioux Falls resident, Harry can be seen at every Packers home game at Sioux Falls Arena, where he is already a local celebrity.

The current Harry is the second pig to bear the towel after the original Harry passed away in 1981.

### Rivalry Trophies

#### Sioux Cup

The Packers' archrivals are the Sioux City Shockers, against whom they compete for the Sioux Cup, decided by the winner of each season series (or, when the season series is tied, who scored more goals between the two teams).

Currently, the Packers hold the Cup, having won it back in 1980. The Hogs lead the all-time trophy series, 11-2.

#### The Quartz

In addition, the Packers compete against their in-state rivals the Brookings Buffaloes for The Quartz, decided by the winner of each season series (or, when the season series is tied, who scored more goals between the two teams). The Quartz is a rose quartz, the state mineral of South Dakota.