Sportsmanship - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

New Holstein @ Amherst
Oct. 19, 2018

I would like to commend both teams’ players, coaches and fans for the most excellent display of sportsmanship I have ever seen. The coaches coached, the players played their hearts out and the fans cheered. There was no questioning our calls, and we were left to officiate a great game. Some of the fans from New Holstein thanked us for coming and doing a great job officiating the playoff contest. It felt great to hear that because you don't here that very often. The AD and staff at Amherst High School were great!! I wish every game could be like this and maybe there would be more people becoming officials.

Reporting Official: Scott Ter Maat

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Volleyball

Wisconsin Dells @ McFarland
Oct. 18, 2018

My partner and I would like to take the time to congratulate both McFarland and Wisconsin Dells for their demonstration of positive sportsmanship. Athletic Director Paul Ackley was on site when we arrived and greeted us and reviewed the schedule of events for the evening. We observed Paul using a proactive approach by the way he talked with the spectators prior to the match in regards to remaining off the floor during live balls for their safety. Both teams’ coaches (Fortune and Janke) and their assistants focused on coaching their players during the match and all we heard were words of postive encouragement to their players. We also want to recognize the players from both teams that thanked us at the end of the night for officiating as we exited the gym. Both communities can take pride as well with the spectators focusing on cheering on the players when they did something well on the floor. It felt great to experience a positive extension of the classroom during tonight's volleyball match.

Reporting Official: Wayne Hammes

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Soccer

New Holstein @ Winneconne
Oct. 16, 2018

Both teams were very respectful during the game. Even with a very lopsided score, the boys kept it respectful and within their emotional control. Neither team became frustrated and continued to ask if either was OK if either went down. Both coaches continued to encourage their players despite the large discrepancy in the score. I was truly impressed by their behavior, and it helped the game run so smoothly and safely. Thank you to both. They both should be proud of themselves!

Reporting Official: Mary McCutcheon

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Brookwood @ Royal
Oct. 12, 2018

Brookwood captain Bucky Dwyer is an excellent example of what the NFHS and the WIAA has in mind when defining what a captain should be. Not only did he play the game as it should be, he kept his teammates in the game when the elements of the game were not the best. He was also very easy to communicate with me and the my crewmates about fouls and other game parts. This young man is a truly class act who deserves this accolade.

Reporting Official: Gary Hanan

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Hayward/La Courte Oreilles
Oct. 12, 2018

This letter is to again acknowledge the outstanding sportsmanship displayed by Hayward and Bloomer. The freezing temperatures did not chill the excitement and the hard work the communities put forth into enjoying the game and teaching fine sportsmanship. On the two-plus hour ride home on Friday, the crew analyzed the game, the actions of the officiating crew, and the actions of the coaches and players. The officiating crew was impressed with the actions of the coaches, players and fans. The coaches were very organized, communicated positively and modeled the proper behavior that teaches what sports is about, which is having fun, being competitive, learning leadership, and solving problems. The coaches’ actions drained into the sportsmanship behavior of the players and the fans. When asked to provide an adjective to describe the actions of each head coach, the wing officials came up with the word class. It is the coach’s class that makes officiating enjoyable, knowing that we need to provide the same positive actions as officials. Well done coaches on teaching future generations on how to act in competitive sports and various personal and career situations! Congratulations Coach O’Brien and Coach Post for the fine job of coaching and the outstanding work you do in educating our youth on the importance of positive sportsmanship. We wish both of your teams the best of success!

Reporting Official: Shawn Umland

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

East Troy @ Jefferson & East Troy vs. Edgerton
Oct. 5, 2018 & Sept. 29, 2018

The head coach of East Troy, Jeff, was always respectful and if he had a question, he asked it, processed it and nodded his head and moved on. His focus was entirely on coaching his kids during two tightly contested events. The players istened to the referees and exhibited good sportsmanship throughout both games. Additionally, the Jefferson coach, staff and players were respectful, did not yell and talked with all officials with positive tones. We look forward to working these team's games again in the future.

Reporting Official: Todd Peterson

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Blair-Taylor @ Whitehall
Sept. 28, 2018

Our crew thought the entire evening was enjoyable from start to finish. Whitehall's AD met us, had snacks at half, and a sandwich and drink following. The fans supported their respective teams, leaving the officiating to the crew. Multiple times players assisted teammates and opponents, displaying good sportsmanship to players and officials. Coaches coached the game and had good communication with officials. Participants from both schools represented their communities well.

Reporting Official: Brent Dickinsen

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Owen-Withee vs. Abbotsford
Sept. 28, 2018

The Owen-Withee coaching staff/fans/players were the absolute definition of class and sportsmanship. Our crew has been given many honors, very few compare to being assigned these type games. Abbotsford was also a great example. Both communities should be very proud of how their football teams are operating. I can’t say enough in regards to coach Laube, he should run clinics on coaching and sportsmanship. Please pat these staffs, Knapmiller and Laube on the back. This is why we love WIAA sports!!! Thank you for the experience.

Reporting Official: Rich Hohl

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Green Bay West @ New London
Sept. 28, 2018

Both teams played hard and by the rules, showing respect for their opponents. Often in games of this nature it's easy to lose focus and get frustrated but these teams displayed none of this. The coaching staffs of both teams continued to be positive and tend to business which on the surface would seem to be the norm. I would like to single out one player in particular, Green Bay West's #28, who while they were behind in the first quarter while we were lining up for the free kick approached me and said, "Thank you for reffing our game tonight and for keeping the players on both sides safe. Please tell the other officials I said that.” To me this displays a great deal of character and speaks to the quality of coaching these athletes are receiving.

Reporting Official: Dave Zoch

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Suring @ Three Lakes/Phelps
Sept. 28, 2018

We wish to acknowledge the best sideline we have experienced so far this year. Our hats off to Coach Tyler Maney for the exceptional efforts of coaching sportsmanship with his staff and players. His coaching strategy keeps his players motivated and positive. First, Coach Maney did an excellent job helping the officials with some timing issues at the beginning of the contest and during the game. He went up to the Suring coach to inform him that the timing will be corrected and apologized. Second, Coach Maney and his staff did a great job keeping words positive and accepting the explanations of officials. He created the time to provide teachable moments for his players and recognized the positive acts of officials. It is evident that Mr. Maney’s attitude and actions rub off on his staff and players as they were respectful towards each other and the opponent. Our crew saw the hands of the Three Lakes players extended to help the opponents off the turf. Third, the players provided the football to an official immediately to keep the flow of the game, asked good questions, and respectfully listened to the officials as we work towards preventative officiating. Last, we saw a group of coaches who kept their players and themselves inside the box at the snap and throughout the play. We never had to remind them like we normally have to do every Friday night. The fans were exceptional! Not once did we hear a negative comment. They did what positive fans do, cheer on their team during great plays, as well as subpar plays. The parents’ and fans’ actions teach students how to properly behave in society when the game is meant for entertainment and to teach the many lessons of life. Our crew officiated a hard hitting game that saw players from both teams acting as young adults should in a spirited contest. The communities of Three Lake and Phelps should be proud of the actions of their coaches, players, and fans as we enjoy the great game of football.

Reporting Official: Shawn Umland