News

Clintonville @ Shiocton
Oct. 3, 2023

Nicole Sasse committed a backrow attack in front of the attack line, and our crew missed it. At the end of the point that Clintonville won, Nicole came up to me and told me she had committed a backrow attack. We gave the point to the opponent and continued with a very close match that Clintonville lost. After the match I thanked Nicole for her honesty. Nicole's sportsmanship was well above and beyond what any player would have to do. Nicole thanked us for officiating their game. I have had Clintonville three times this year and Nicole is a great leader that really leads by example. Fantastic Sportsmanship!

Reporting Official:  Adrian Van Acker

Greenwood@ Athens
Oct. 6, 2023

It’s a pleasure to work with Athen’s Athletic Director Guyler Luther. His communication prior to and during the contest is outstanding. Also, his and Athen’s hospitality was fantastic. Next, we would like to acknowledge the outstanding sportsmanship displayed by both teams, sidelines, and fans. Head Coaches Todd Diethelm and Dean Lindner educate, model and expect positive sportsmanship of their coaching staff and players. Both team’s sidelines were excited, encouraging, and great to communicate with. Also, both sidelines did an impeccable job in keeping their sidelines clean. Third, the players did an amazing job on the field. They worked and communicated well with officials, motivated their own teammates, provided the opposing team with words of praise, and helped each other off the turf. As a crew, we concluded that this was one of easiest and most enjoyable games we have officiated at any level as the coaches and athletes were respectful, positive, competitive, and having fun. Congratulations to Coach Diethelm as his program has been acknowledged for his sportsmanship in the past and hats off to Coach Lindner for the positive behavior of his young team. Applause to the communities of Athens and Greenwood and the educational and coaching leadership of those schools. It takes time and effort to train our youth on the importance of education, sports, leadership, and exhibiting positive sportsmanship.

Reporting Official:  Shawn Umland

Chesterton Academy @ Veritas/Tenor
Sept. 28, 2023

In the first set, Veritas/Tenor was down by a significant margin. Chesterton's server serves the ball at the baseline where it falls untouched. The student line judge is a bit confused and eventually calls out. Immediately, both Veritas/Tenor Head Coach Carly Anderson and her assistant say that the ball is clearly in. As R1 is awarding the point to her team, Coach Anderson approaches me as R2 to state that the ball was clearly in. I get my R1's attention and she repeats the statement. The R1 accepts Coach Anderson's honor call and changes the call and awards the point to Chesterton. After this happens I overhear the Chesterton bench express their stunned admiration that the opponent would give up a "break". I believe that this act of sportsmanship and fair play should be admired and commended.

Reporting Official:  Michael Baird

Mount Horeb @ Watertown Luther Prep
Sept. 23, 2023

Watertown Luther Prep was very gracious and polite during the entire game. They helped get the ball in play for both teams and substitutes went to the field very fast and helped keep the game going. All of the fans from both schools were very polite and only cheered for the players and never had a bad word for any referee call. This is a first for me in all the years of refereeing at WIAA varsity level sports.

Reporting Official:  Steven Melendez

This game was by far the best football game we have worked in years! Both teams play old school, smash mouth, run the ball football, something I really enjoy! Both teams are very physical and well coached. The kids obviously have connections and know each other and it was on display. Throughout the game, they were patting each other on the head for good play, helping each other up from the ground, etc. Too many examples to cite.  Both coaches (Coleman's Jeff Bronson and Oconto Falls Nicholas Bohl) were awesome. Coaching their kids up, showing respect for each other, their programs, and the game of football, while preaching life lessons of hard work, supporting and trusting their teammates, while celebrating success, but also using "failure" as a teaching moment...the true value of high school athletics. The greatest show of sportsmanship and leadership occurred when Oconto Falls had a significant injury to one of its players (dislocated ankle) and the coaches and trainers from both programs rushed to the field to aid the player. Upon knowing the significance of the injury calling the First Responders out, Athletic Director/ Head Coach Bronson was asked about driving the ambulance on the field, and his response showed his integrity, "Of course!” Thanks to both schools and programs for an excellent night of Friday Night Lights!

Reporting Official:  Steve Walsh