Sportsmanship - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Soccer

Hortonville @ Appleton East
Oct. 5, 2021

Throughout the game, Will Smestad, the captain wearing #12, showed great leadership, positive attitude and comraderie Multiple times when fouls had been called, his teammates would get worked up, upset and would start making comments towards the center referee and he would immediately stop their comments and get them engaged back into the game. I did thank him and gave him congrats for his positive attitude after the game. While it is something little, it is great to see the leadership and positive reinforcement from a captain. I don't think the positive feedback is always given and reported and wanted to shed light on how the little situations truly can have a big impact. Well done #12.

Reporting Official: Mariel Bohnstock

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Soccer

Oconomowoc @ Waukesha West
Sept. 28, 2021

Last night might have been the most enjoyable from a sporting perspective that we've experienced. There was no complaining about anything, players made a point of helping their opponents up and checking on them if they had a collision to make sure they were OK. On the couple occasions where we had to do a restart due to an injury, the players from each team determined how it would occur and made sure everyone knew what was happening. A very enjoyable evening, both teams should be commended!

Reporting Official: Mark Herdeman

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Niagara/Goodman/Pembine @ Crandon
Sept 24, 2021

We wish to extend our appreciation to Athletic Director Brady Weber and Principal Josh Jaeger for their excellent communication and hospitality. Each teams’ coaching staff were respectful, positively motivating their players as many played both offense and defense. Head coaches Dan Witman and Brian Bousley and their staff did a great job managing their sidelines and keeping the restricted area clean during the play. Players’ actions showcased outstanding leadership and positive sportsmanship. Each team played and hit hard while encouraging members of their own and opposing teams. The captains and players did an exceptional job asking questions and motivating their teammates while helping players off the muddy turf. Each community’s fans positively cheered and modeled proper sportsmanship behavior. On big plays one could hear the cheers with no negative comments being heard about the opposing team or officials. Plus, the game announcer did a fantastic job of presenting the action on the field and making the contest more entertaining. Our crew applauds the positive sportsmanship displayed by the Crandon Cardinals and the Niagara Co-op Predators players, coaches, and communities. Our hats off to Coach Witman and Bousley as they teach the most important skill of positive sportsmanship! We know these are very challenging times and wish both teams continued success. Please stay healthy and happy!

Reporting Official: Shawn Umland

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Howards Grove @ Random Lake
Sept. 24, 2021

By far the best sportsmanship we had up to this point in the varsity football season. Both teams, players and coaches alike, had positive interactions with the officials as well as their opponents. Despite the fact that Random Lake lost the game, they never got "chippy" in frustration (which is unfortunately becoming more and more common recently). I was extremely impressed by the coach of Howards Grove who rather than grumble about a called penalty simply asked how he could best coach his players to prevent similar penalties in the future. Best of luck to both teams both on the field and in the classroom.

Reporting Official: James Adamson

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Soccer

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Volleyball

Freedom @ Oconto Falls
Aug. 31, 2021

Coaches and players for Oconto Falls and Freedom did a wonderful job showing respect to one another and the officials during a very competitive match. It was a pleasure to be a part of a match that was played with high intensity and the participants using their skills to the best of their abilities. Thank you to each team for a great night of volleyball!

Reporting Official: Gregory Kosciuk

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Volleyball

Williams Bay @ Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah
Sept. 3, 2021

The head coach of Williams Bay exhibited great sportsmanship. Several calls went against his team that he might have not agreed with, but he did not get mad and yell at the officials. The coach stayed calm, and respectful while discussing these plays with the officials. It would be much more enjoyable if all coaches, players, and fans would show the same respect for officials.

Reporting Official: Steve Kiel

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Swimming & Diving

Beloit Memorial @ Madison La Follette
Sept. 3

We officiated at a smoothly running swim meet at Madison La Follette due to the efforts of their coach, AD and volunteers. Between us, we had already remarked at the outstanding sportsmanship exhibit by Beloit, cheering strongly for their La Follette opponents as their own team mates as they finished their races. To top it off, and to make it even more personal, at the end of the JV 100-yard breaststoke with only one LaFollette swimmer yet to finish, Beloit swimmer Savannah Jacot turned to the nearby La Follette swimmer, asking 'What is her name?' After receiving the answer, she and her Beloit teammates continued to cheer her to the finish by name, making it a very personal celebration as she touched the wall. It was excellent sportsmanship in a meet filled with good sportsmanship!

Reporting Official: Pat Coyne

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Soccer

Washburn/Bayfield @ Barron
Sept. 9, 2021

Both teams and coaches were very positive throughout the entire game. The words of encouragement that each team gave their teammates was a refreshing change. Multiple times, when a player committed a foul that resulted in an opponent falling to the ground, the player committing the foul helped the opponent back to his feet. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that level of sportsmanship in a soccer game. Hats off to the players on both teams as well as the coaching staffs. It was truly a pleasure to officiate that game!

Reporting Official: Nick Goeman

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Soccer

La Crosse Central @ Arcadia
Aug. 26, 2021

In what was a close game between both schools, I was very impressed by the sportsmanship displayed by both coaches, especially by the Arcadia head coach. He was very supportive of a younger soccer crew working the game, and offering up positive advice after the game. Typically with a younger crew, you will see inexperience show and potentially get the players and coaches upset. Coach Louis was excellent at coaching his players and allowing us to call the game. He is a coach that I hope to see again in the future as he was encouraging and offering advice when asked after the game. He is someone that will make officials feel confident and encouraged to keep going.

Reporting Official: Kevin Huiss