LAKE FOREST, Ill. – During a whirlwind seven months since Katie Stam was crowned Miss America, the Indiana native has met a slew of celebrities and dignitaries while crisscrossing the country.

But judging by the excitement on her face and in her voice, few of those appearances were more memorable than what she experienced Thursday morning in Lake Forest.

An avid Bears fan, Stam toured Halas Hall before visiting children at a nearby day camp.

Miss America Katie Stam met Bears coach Lovie Smith during her visit to Halas Hall Thursday.

“They told me the Bears players were going to be there and I kind of freaked out,” said the 23-year-old. “I don’t get butterflies about anything and I was about to pass out.”

Stam toured the entire facility, including the weight room, the locker room and the Walter Payton Center. She spoke with kicker Robbie Gould, linebacker Nick Roach and defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, among others.

Stam said that the highlight of her trip was the chance to meet Bears coach Lovie Smith.

“He’s amazing,” she said. “He’s incredible. He’s a wonderful coach. I truly admire him.

“I was sitting there staring at Brian Urlacher’s locker because he’s my favorite player—I’ve got my Urlacher jersey and a hat with a big ‘54’ on it that I wear for every single game. When I turned around and saw Lovie Smith, I kind of turned into a 12-year-old girl who just saw ‘N Sync.”

Stam didn’t know anything about football until her boyfriend—a lifelong Bears fan who grew up in LaPorte, Ind.—taught her about the game and his favorite team.

“I got to know the players and the history of the team and fell in love,” she said. “Now I’m a total Bears fan just completely on my own.”

Stam hopes to sing the National Anthem before a game at Soldier Field this season.

“To be right there with the team and right there on the sideline, it’s just going to be really incredible to take it all in,” she said. “There’s going to be a tremendous energy. Hopefully I’ll actually be able to sing and I won’t be in tears because I’m so excited. But I’m looking forward to it.”

If the experience is anything like her visit to Halas Hall, Stam will be very happy.

“It was just unbelievable,” she said Thursday. “I absolutely loved every second of it because I’m such a huge fan. I follow the Bears every season and just was thrilled to be here.”