<NAT SEQUENCE: start with a shot of the school sign outside, with basketball nats underneath> On Tuesday and Friday nights.. <nat shoes squeaking on the floor> The high school gym in Garner.. <nat of fans cheering NOT STUDENT SECTION> is PACKED with fans! <basketball highlight> Especially during the Forest City Rivalry Game. <nat student section> The Cardinal Faithful are true and loyal... <2526 Lorrie 6:12- 14"That a way!"> But none more so than Bernie and Lorrie Formanek. <2367 Eric Formanek 23:33-35"Number one they love basketball,"> Their son, Eric, is pretty good with numbers... <2527 Bernie 9:42- 45"Eric, how many threes they got? Six"> Which is why it was easy to figure out JUST HOW MANY GAMES his father has attended. <2367 Eric Formanek 22:10-13 "2,126 straight games."> That's EVERY SINGLE home AND away game for the girls and boys teams FOR 50 YEARS. Bernie hasn't missed one-- Lorrie 6. <2367 Eric Formanek 22:18-22"The only times my mom missed is when we were sick as kids."> <2343 Adam Urness 25:13-21"When you really think about it, it's quite remarkable they've been coming to garner boys and girls basketball games before I was even alive."> Adam Urness-- head coach for the girls-- thinks it has to be some kind of record. <2521 PA Announcer 32:25-34"At this time, we'd like to welcome the GHV HS boys and girls basketball teams to center court for a special presentation."> Which is why this had to happen. <2521 34:32-43"Your devotion, positive spirit, and unwavering commitment, epitomizes everything that is special about high school basketball and the Garner Hayfield Ventura community."> Their kids haven't been out of school for years... No family members play on either team... <nat> So why keep going SOOO consistently? <2525 Formaneks Bernie 45:00-03"What else do you do in the wintertime in Garner, northern Iowa, yep."> <2345 Patience Katter 32:22-27"My parents can't even make it to all my games, but they make it to all of our games,"> It's the kind of support that's not lost on the young hoopers. <2345 Patience Katter 33:01-04"I just feel like it means a lot to have some one who cares so much about us."> <2346 boys players 44:39-47"I think it's important we definitely need it sometimes, even when we might not need it, they're still there, they could take a day off but they don't."> Anyone who has graduated in the last 50 years knows their impact. <2366 Melissa Darg 17:23-28"Everybody knows him everybody loves him, his wife, just as much as he is, they are wonderful people."> The sport looks a lot different than it did when the streak started in 1975. <Lorrie 46:02-05"Well 6 on 6 girls when we started."> But their season tickets haven't changed-- <basketball nat> They've felt basketball's highs <2527 Bernie 8:19-22 "get in there. yeah! áclapsá"> And have been crushed by the lows. <2525 Formaneks Bernie 46:42-49"The state tournament game when we lost on the last second shot to Danville. That was a hard one to take."> <basketball nat> It's an old adage: in sports there are no guarantees. <basketball shoe squeaking nat> But at a Garner Hayfield Ventura basketball game-- <2527 Bernie 8:27- 28"Play some defense!"> you can always count on Bernie and Lorrie to be there. <2525 Formaneks 48:32-37 Bernie:"As long as we can!
This Is Iowa: Basketball superfan hasn't missed a high school game in 50 years — that's 2,126 and counting
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Updated: 6:55 PM CST Feb 20, 2025
Bernie and Lorrie Formanek have become legendary figures in the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura basketball community, known for their unwavering support of the high school basketball teams.For 50 years, Bernie has attended every single home and away game for both the girls and boys teams, a streak that his son Eric proudly calculates as 2,126 consecutive games. Lorrie has only missed six games, and those were due to their children being sick.» MORE THIS IS IOWA: Visit the This Is Iowa page on vlog's website and follow the series on Facebook and YouTubeTheir dedication is celebrated by the community, honored this season at midcourt with a framed jersey and a basketball. "When you really think about it, it's quite remarkable they've been coming to Garner boys and girls basketball games before I was even alive," said GHV girls basketball head coach Adam Urness. Despite their children having graduated years ago and no family members currently playing, Bernie and Lorrie continue to attend games."What else do you do in the wintertime in Garner?" Bernie said. Their presence is deeply appreciated by the players, with GHV senior basketball player Patience Katter expressing gratitude for their consistent support, saying, "I just feel like it means a lot to have someone who cares so much about us."The Formaneks have witnessed the evolution of the sport since 1975, from the days of six-on-six girls' basketball to the present. They've experienced the highs and lows of the game, including the heartbreak of a state tournament loss on a last-second shot. Yet, their commitment remains steadfast. When asked how long they plan on going to games, Bernie said, "As long as we can!""They might be rolling us in in the wheelchairs, but we're going to be here," Lorrie said.More from the Feb. 20, 2025 episode of This Is Iowa:This Is Iowa: Telling Iowans' stories through the game of basketball Fielding basketball teams is a source of pride for Diagonal, Iowa's smallest school district Community, basketball teams rally around Johnston girl battling cancerEagle Grove man still teaching, officiating basketball games at the age of 88This Is Iowa: Telling Iowans' stories through the game of basketball
Bernie and Lorrie Formanek have become legendary figures in the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura basketball community, known for their unwavering support of the high school basketball teams.
For 50 years, Bernie has attended every single home and away game for both the girls and boys teams, a streak that his son Eric proudly calculates as 2,126 consecutive games.
Lorrie has only missed six games, and those were due to their children being sick.
» MORE THIS IS IOWA: Visit the This Is Iowa page on vlog's website and follow the series on and
Their dedication is celebrated by the community, honored this season at midcourt with a framed jersey and a basketball.
"When you really think about it, it's quite remarkable they've been coming to Garner boys and girls basketball games before I was even alive," said GHV girls basketball head coach Adam Urness.
Despite their children having graduated years ago and no family members currently playing, Bernie and Lorrie continue to attend games.
"What else do you do in the wintertime in Garner?" Bernie said.
Their presence is deeply appreciated by the players, with GHV senior basketball player Patience Katter expressing gratitude for their consistent support, saying, "I just feel like it means a lot to have someone who cares so much about us."
The Formaneks have witnessed the evolution of the sport since 1975, from the days of six-on-six girls' basketball to the present.
They've experienced the highs and lows of the game, including the heartbreak of a state tournament loss on a last-second shot.
Yet, their commitment remains steadfast. When asked how long they plan on going to games, Bernie said, "As long as we can!"
"They might be rolling us in in the wheelchairs, but we're going to be here," Lorrie said.
More from the Feb. 20, 2025 episode of This Is Iowa:
This Is Iowa: Telling Iowans' stories through the game of basketball
