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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

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Hurley @ Ashland
Aug. 27, 2021

Our officiating crew would like to extend its gratitude for the fine sportsmanship displayed by the Ashland Oredockers and the Hurley North Stars during the Week 2 contest in Ashland. First, we wish to say thank you for the outstanding communication and hospitality received from the staff. We were provided escorts, refreshments, and accommodations that allowed to us prepare for and review after the game. Both teams’ coaching staff did a tremendous job of modeling positive sportsmanship. They kept their sidelines clean, coached in a positive manner, and assisted the officiating crew with preventative officiating and correcting potential player issues. The officiating crew appreciated the communication with the coaching staff and head coaches. The wing officials commented how the coaches were always confidently coaching, requesting for perfection even when plays ended on a positive note. The coaches’ reverence for officials modeled the behavior expected from the players. It is evident both coaches are well respected by their players as they listened well, played hard, and exhibited positive sportsmanship. The players managed their actions, listened to officials and were respectful. Both teams possessed great players who showed positive leadership and aided the crew with preventative officiating and correcting player infractions.Both teams played hard and showed respect for one another. We were grateful for the backs handing the umpire the ball so the pace of play could run consistent and smooth. The fans were loud and proudly cheered in an encouraging manner. No discouraging comments were heard, so it is clear the school districts and their coaches take pride in how their communities are viewed and the importance of demonstrating the proper competitive spirit. Again, we would like to acknowledge the clock operator, chain crew and announcer. They are so crucial to the success of a contest, and they are one of the best we see every year. We appreciate these competent people who help make the officiating crew’s job easier and enjoyable. We tip our caps off to Coach Larson and Coach Erickson for exhibiting positive sportsmanship that bled to the players, staff, and fans. It is important to teach youth about winning, but it’s even more important to educate our youth about handling adversity, problem solving, executing strategy, and proper sportsmanship. We thank Ashland High School for their outstanding hospitality and congratulate both schools for their efforts in teaching and demonstrating positive sportsmanship.

Reporting Official:  Shawn Umland

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Menomonie @ Holmen
Aug. 27, 2021

Due to weather concerns, the game was moved to earlier in the evening. School officials observed lightning when teams were warming up, and delayed for 30 minutes. The Holmen AD worked with both teams to allow for an additional warm up period of 10 minutes and shortened the halftime to 10 minutes in an effort to start and complete the game. This was great collaboration by both teams and should be commended for their cooperation. Game was completed and a lightning show started about five minutes after the game was completed. The delayed start time didn’t affect the enthusiasm and excitement of the players and coaches. The Menomonie team with 70+ players on the sidelines stayed beyond the restricted area yet at the same time exhibited constant encouragement and enthusiasm for their teammates on the field. Coach Sinz and assistants also showed respect for the game of football, rules and developing individuals for future roles in our society. Coach Kowalski and his sideline were very respectful and showed the same excitement for the game and nurturing young athletics.. We would also like to commend the ball boys, Bruce of Menomonie, and Adam of Holmen who were an integral asset in carrying out their mission of dry balls, timely exchange, keeping a steady flow to the game and also enthusiasm for the players on the field. This game set an example for parents, fans, and the WIAA that all involved should be proud. This event was rewarding and a pleasure to officiate.

Reporting Official:  Daniel Braund

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Kenosha Bradford @ Muskego
Aug. 26, 2021

The Kenosha Bradford athletic trainers and personnel were constantly checking on me and my crew on a very hot and humid evening. They ran out to each one of us with water during every time out and break in the action. I also want to commend the coaching staff as well, for being outstanding role models and leaders of their team. At the end of the game, the coaches made it a point to thank us as we left the field, even though they were not victorious that evening. My whole crew talked about how nice it was to be treated so well after the game in the locker room.

Reporting Official: Keith Nault

Spring Team Sportsmanship Award Winners Selected

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in partnership with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2021 Spring State Team Tournaments.

Alternate Fall Sportsmanship Awards Selected

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2020-21 alternate fall season State Tournaments.

Sportsmanship Plus - Softball

Kewaunee @ Sturgeon Bay
May 18, 2021

Coach Benesh and Coach Bortolini did a great job leading their teams during both games of a doubleheader. They were encouraging and teaching their student athletes through both games of the doubleheader. I would like to recognize Liz and Jenna Rohr from Kewaunee for leading their team. Both athletes reminded me of their grandmother, Shelly, who I worked with for many years in healthcare. Both girls demonstrated kindness and greatfulness during the game much like their grandmother did at work. Nice to see positive qualities being passed down through generations in Kewaunee.

Reporting Official:  James Schaefer

Sportsmanship PLUS - Softball

Martin Luther @ Catholic Central
May 14, 2021

This was a well played game with multiple lead changes that went 10 innings. There were nothing but positive comments by both teams and coaches. Earlier in the game, Catholic Central was reduced to eight players due to injuries. In the bottom of the 10th inning with a one run lead and two outs, Martin Luther Coach Rodriguez intentionally chose to pitch to the Catholic Central batter, even though they could have chose to walk the batter and take the automatic out for Catholic Central only having eight players. Coach Rodriguez let the girls decide the outcome of the game and did not allow them to be punished for having bad luck in injuries. Before the game we were given snacks and water by Coach Kirst from Catholic Central and thanked by his players for our work.

Reporting Official:  Ben Ligocki

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