Even in Death, Al Hack Keeps 'The Fire' Burning in His Heart

In a way, Al Hack has never really left Toyota Park, his family says.

Hack, a Tinley Park resident and avid soccer fan who died last year at the age of 56, spent season after season in the stands there, watching his beloved Chicago Fire. When Hack died of a sudden heart attack while at the gym on Valentine's Day in 2010, his family and friends knew their tradition of watching Fire games would never be the same.

But Al will officially leave his mark on the stadium in Bridgeview on Saturday, when he is added to the Fire's elite Wall of Honor.

"We're really excited about it," his 30-year-old daughter, Nicole Hack, said. "It will be really great to go to every game and spend time with our family and kind of be able to see him there, too. It's an extra reminder of how big of a part of soccer he was."

The wall was created in 2008 as an ode to the passionate fans who have helped build the traditions of the Fire since the club's inception in 1997, the Fire’s website said. Only two people have been added so far and a second pair—one of whom is Al—will join them this weekend.

"There's no established criteria to become part of the wall," Chicago Fire team writer Jeff Crandall said, noting that people are not added to the wall annually. "In fact, this will be the first and only time we've done it since 2008. People basically submit nominations and we consider them. If it's appropriate, we do it."

Anyone who knew Al will tell you that his being added is more than appropriate, said his 25-year-old daughter, Allison Hack.

"He loved the Fire, so it's only right," she said. "He was Mr. Social Butterfly. He would go to the games and everyone knew him."

Both Allison and Nicole described their father as a notoriously friendly, likable man who "everyone naturally wanted to be around."

The Hack women were raised on soccer, they said, and their dad was the coach of various teams they played for when they were kids. Hack took the sport seriously and wouldn't be pleased with this season's Fire record of 1-4-6, Nicole joked in one of her emails to loved ones about Saturday's induction ceremony.

The team also made headlines recently for letting go of head coach Carlos de los Cobos and at least temporarily replacing him with Technical Director Frank Klopas.

"It's been a busy season," Crandall said. "I welcome the opportunity to help with something like the Wall of Honor, especially for two people so deserving."

The other inductee will be Euan McLean, 9, who died on New Year's Eve in 2009 from a complication that resulted from his cerebral palsy condition, Crandall said.

A platinum plaque stating "Chicago Fire supporters are unsurpassed," introduces the wall at the stadium.

"This commemorative display is dedicated to those who keep the fire burning in their hearts," the plaque says. "Tradition, honor and passion live on in those present today and in the spirit of those who have left us."

The Hacks couldn't agree more.

"It's nice to know that every time we go to a game, we get to see his name on the wall," Allison said. "It's truly bittersweet."

The wall will be unveiled to Al's wife, Vivian, and his daughters, Nicole and Allison, between 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The formal ceremony will take place at halftime. The Hacks also sell scarves in honor of Al and his devotion to the Fire. All proceeds are donated to the American Heart Association.