A winning program is never built overnight, and winning programs certainly don’t stay successful through complacency.

The Packer boys soccer team has built its program and maintained it over the last decade and the team is going to pay tribute to all of those who have played a part in the team’s long-term success in its first two games of the season. Austin will honor the 2009 boys soccer team that earned the school’s first ever state trip when it hosts Como Park at 1 p.m. this Saturday and the the Packers will honor their summer AYSA teams — three of which won state titles — when the Packers host Mankato East at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29.

The Packers, who took third place in each of the last two Minnesota Class A State Boys Soccer Tournament, have the ultimate structure for success. They have a summer program that allows players to compete and grow alongside their peers and they have a varsity program that rewards hard working players who have the right attitude with playing time.

Austin’s success has not been lost on that 2009 team, which got the ball rolling back when the Packers were perennial playoff underdogs. Ryan Rassel, who was the keeper of the 2009 team, said that he has kept up with the success of the current Austin Packers and it’s made him a proud alumni.

“It’s so cool to hear that they’re getting better and better. They’re probably better than we were,” Rassel said. “Austin is an actual force to be reckoned with and that’s super cool.”

With a ton of excitement in the youth ranks, and a varsity team that is hungry to get back to state, the Packers likely aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.