Sportsmanship - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sportsmanship Plus - Softball

Weyauwega-Fremont @ Mayville
April 25, 2019

Weyauwega-Fremont Coach Brianne McCoy is an excellent, positive and understanding coach. I wish all coaches were like he, and I thought I needed to let their athletic director know this.

Reporting Official: Raymond Raatz

Both head coaches were easy to talk with before and during the game. The players hustled on and off the field the entire game. Very polite and cooperative catchers on both teams too, and no "griping" on pitches that could have gone either way, just a couple of "where was that" and an "OK". But the best was at the end, when a staff member from Waterford H.S. gave each of us an "officials goody bag" that had some snacks in it, a bottle of water, and a thank you card for taking the time out of our day to be an umpire at their athletic event. In all the years of umpiring, I've never been given such an item after the game with thanks for being there.

Reporting Official: Steven Kurkowski

Sportsmanship Plus - Softball

New Glarus @ Cambridge
April 16, 2019

Head coaches Dean Freeland and Myken Deada promoted and exhibited good sportsmanship and both schools deserve recognition. Both teams, including players and coaches, showed exemplary sportsmanship in the contest, win or lose. Everyone was friendly and polite, and the players from both sides played hard but never lost sight of sportsmanship during the game. It was the kind of game that was a joy to umpire.

Reporting Official: Rich Fronheiser

Sportsmanship Plus - Softball

Marion @ Bowler
April 22, 2019

I had the pleasure of working a doubleheader between Bowler and Marion. The weather didn't look good going forward so the coaches hustled to get the games going early. I will likely not work with a better group of young ladies or coaches. When the players addressed me or my partner for any reason it was preceded by sir, and followed by thank you. The girls handed each other bats and picked up catchers masks throughout the games. They congratulated each other for good plays. The coaches coached hard and gave great instruction to their teams, but they also smiled and had fun with the kids. Late in game two, the contest was getting a little lopsided, the coach leading instructed her runner on third base to leave early to end an inning. The girls will learn a lot more than just softball when they have the opportunity to play for coaches and in front of fans like this. They learn how to treat adults and opponents with respect.

Reporting Official: Gary Hagberg

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

De Pere vs. Notre Dame
April 16, 2019

In a recent baseball game between Notre Dame and DePere, many acts of positive sportsmanship were observed. DePere players Brett Bradison and Sean Teitz showed excellent sportsmanship during their various interactions with opponents and officials. Notre Dame player Tyler Nystrom showed numerous positive acts of sportsmanship throughout the contest. Phil and I wanted to congratulate these young men, their coaches, and their parents for the players’ excellent display of positive sportsmanship at an education based athletic event. Best of luck to both teams in the future!

Reporting Official: Brent Thompson

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

Kiel @ Brillion
April 9, 2019

Just a note of appreciation to Coach Shimek of Brillion and Coach Mey of Kiel for their work. Both coaches truly understand that the athletic field is an extension of the classroom as they taught and modeled to their players great sportsmanship. Carter Stebane of Brillion, your enthusiasm for the game was evident by your hustle and words of encouragement given to your teammates. Have a great season.

Reporting Official: Phil Punzel

Sportsmanship Plus - Track & Field

Packy Paquette Invitational - Superior
April 5, 2019

I observed an exceptional act of sportsmanship by Jonathan Santana of Shell Lake. He was in his final lap of the 400-meter race, and with 50 meters remaining, his teammate fell down in front of him 20 meters from the finish line. Jonathan stopped to lend a helping hand to his teammate who severely sprained his ankle and had to be helped off the track. I complimented him, and he responded "My teammates health is more important tha me finishing the race." What a great act of sportsmanship.

Reporting Official: Michael Jahn

Sportmanship Plus - Baseball

Laconia @ Omro
April 4, 2019

Both the Laconia and Omro school administrators should be very proud of their varsity baseball players and coaches for their display of positive sportsmanship during the contest. Jared Hoffman and Ethan Rens of Laconia and Rikken Frost of Omro were obvious leaders of their teams, especially in showing respect for opponents, as well as helping retrieve bats and foul balls near the plate. They offered a kind word to the umpires and were noticeably appreciative of their coaches and teamates. Best of luck the rest of the season to both teams!

Reporting Official: Brent Thompson

Winter Team Sportsmanship Awards Selected

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance, has chosen the recipients of the team sportsmanship awards for the 2019 winter State Tournaments.

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

Fox Valley Lutheran @ Waupaca
April 2, 2019

A note of thanks to Activities Director Aaron Jenson and his crew at Waupaca High School. On my officiating partner Brent Thompson and I had the privilege of working the game. Aaron welcomed us and made us feel right at home while managing three other home events. Coach Mondelle and Coach Kramer thank you for leadership in modeling sportsmanship. Special thanks to Isaiah Ulman from FVL and Jack Menzies from Waupaca. These two athletes demonstrated leadership skills through their positive encouragement towards their teammates and hustle on and off the field. All in all it was a great day for spring sports.

Reporting Official: Phil Punzel