Sportsmanship - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Soccer

University Lake School @ Lomira
April 12, 2024

All of the players and their head coach were great role models, in their own (individual) ways. When strung together over that 2 1/4 hours, it was nothing short of what we say we expect of players and coaches . Rarely is that really the case but as the center ref, what I experienced were the types of young people we hope for and the types of young people I hope my two young granddaughters grow up to be. They were quite a positive "statement" for at least 16 of University Lake's student body and one faculty member.

Reporting Official: Tom Konecny

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Soccer

Madison East @ DeForest
April 11, 2024

The match was competitive with a lot of physical play but good sportsmanship was on exhibit by both teams. If there was a hard challenges and an opponent went down, the other player on the other player was there to give her a hand to get up. There was a lot of talented small play and it was a great match to officiate.

Reporting Official: Thomas Vergeron

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Soccer

Campbellsport @ Ripon
April 11, 2024

Tyler Writt, Campbellsport's head coach, does a great job teaching, complimenting, mentoring and encouraging the players. He does it 100 percent of the time and while it probably should just be an expectation of all coaches, all officials and every fan, we pretty much know that's not happening. The bottom line is that Tyler sets the bar pretty darn high, for all of us to follow.

Reporting Official: Tom Konecny

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

St. Mary’s Springs @ Omro
April 11, 2024

Both the Omro and St. Mary’s school administrators should be very proud of their varsity baseball programs, both the players and coaches, for their display of positive sportsmanship during a recent contest. Nate Piper & Mason Boerner of Omro and Max Bauer & Ben Anderson of St. Mary’s Springs were obvious leaders of their teams, especially in showing respect for opponents as well as helping retrieve bats and foul balls during the contest. They offered many encouraging words to all involved, including some timely positive feedback for myself behind the plate, during high stress moments of the game. All were noticeably appreciative of their coaches, teammates, parents, and umpires. Great job all and best of luck the rest of the season!

Reporting Official: Brent Thompson

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

Appleton North @ Oshkosh West
April 9, 2024

The 2024 WIAA baseball season has started with many acts of positive Sportsmanship. Evan Johnson and Ryan Williamson led the Oshkosh West team by assisting opponents with bat retrieval, lots of hustle to and from their positions, and offering a kind hand of congratulations on a game well played. Matthew Hietpas, Brandon Schopf, and William Hoerner of Appleton North also added multiple acts of Sportsmanship by hustling to retrieve foul balls, purposely avoiding player to player contact in areas away from the active play, and to chase down a few Oshkosh players’ bats. We as umpires noticed these and many other positive acts of sportsmanship throughout the contest and very much appreciated them, thank you to both teams. Keep up the awesome work and have a great 2024 season!

Reporting Official: Brent Thompson

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Basketball

New Richmond @ West Salem
Jan. 25, 2024

New Richmond’s Abraham Monson displayed excellent sportsmanship during the game. He was very encouraging to his teammates and would not get down on himself or teammates when the game was not going his way. Additionally, during two-shot free throws, Abraham came up to me after I made a foul call against his team and told me how much he appreciated me and my partners being here to allow him to play the game he loves. We were able to engage in a little small talk before the game was live again. His sportsmanship and kindness is a first class act example of positivity in youth sports, and is the reason why I officiate, for kids like him. He is an outstanding young man and a great role model for the New Richmond boys basketball program.

Reporting Official: Cade Murray

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Basketball

Brown Deer @ South Milwaukee
Jan. 23, 2024

I was impressed by the sportsmanship shown by the coaches and players of Brown Deer. Neither complained nor argued a call. The coach was positive with his players and the players helpful in getting the ball when it went out of bounds or when a player needed help up from a fall. The coach thanked the crew for our efforts and for refereeing.

Reporting Official: Amy Siesennop

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Basketball

Marion @ Lakeland
Jan. 15, 2024

In a game well in hand, Hakken Berklund of Lakeland made an incredible play at the rim resulting in a dunk over a Marion player. In many games, this type of play leads to taunting and excessive celebration. The entire gym rose to their feet, bench erupted in celebration, and players on the court watched in awe at the display of athleticism. Hakken immediately avoided any further contact and made no effort to celebrate his tremendous play over another player. As an official, I wanted to recognize what I felt was an exceptional display of sportsmanship by Hakken.

Reporting Official: Benjamin Hecke

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Basketball

Marion @ Stockbridge
Jan. 11, 2024

We were greeted by Stockbridge Athletic Director Kati Forstner. She informed us that it was Winter Sports Appreciation Week. She walked us to our area where we would get dressed. We were pleasantly surprised to find a gift bag, which included a candy bar, a thank you card signed by all the boys and girls players and coaches from Stockbridge, and also a gift card to Kwik Trip. The Thank You card went like this: “...Thank you for all that you do as an official. We are grateful you're here and appreciate the sacrifices you make throughout the season." We were also recognized to the crowd shortly after the National Anthem. We would just like to let Stockbridge know how great this token of appreciation was received. Thanks again Stockbridge!

Reporting Official: Patrick Tschimperle

Fall Sportsmanship Awards Selected for Team Tournaments

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2023 fall State Tournaments.