Sportsmanship - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sportsmanship Plus - Softball

Cashton @ Westby
April 27, 2018

My partner and I would like to recognize Cashton High School catcher Taylor Costello for the sportsmanship she displayed during tthis game. The Cashton coach used a first-time pitcher against Westby. Taylor was very supportive of her efforts, calming her and encouraging her with every pitch. Taylor became the “field general” during the game, and even though her team was on the losing end, Taylor kept a positive and upbeat attitude at all times. For this reason we would like to recognize Taylor for her outstanding sportsmanship.

Reporting Official: Curt Ladwig

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

Ashwaubenon @ Green Bay Preble
April 26, 2018

I wanted to take a moment to recognize the great sportsmanship displayed by your varsity baseball teams. First, the energy before the game was fantastic. Coach Krueger and Coach Conord displayed professionalism during the entire contest. Both coaches are truly teachers of the game of baseball. Josh Nicklaus of Green Bay Preble and Will Adair of Ashwaubenon were two players that demonstrated great sportmanship throughout the entire contest.Both players hustled during the entire game, they encouraged their teammates, and after the contest greeted the opposing team with respect. Thanks for letting us be a part of this great contest.

Reporting Official: Phil Punzel

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

New London @ Xavier
April 12, 2018

We wanted to express our appreciation to both the New London and Xavier varsity baseball programs for a well-played game early in the season. For both programs, respect was noticeably one of the central values being taught in the classroom, at practice, and on game day. New London players Kyle Wolf and Dylan Moeller were true leaders on the field. Xavier players Phil Lorge and Pierce Blohowiak showed numerous positive acts of sportsmanship throughout the contest. I also wanted to emphasize the hustle aspect of both Dylan Moeller of New London and Phil Lorge of St. Francis Xavier. These two catchers really worked hard in their catching roles. I witnessed them picking up numerous bats, offering a kind word to an opponent for a good play, using caution while moving in and around the muddy areas near the backstop, and moving bats for opponents to make sure the area around the plate was safe. Both the New London and Xavier school and community leadership should be proud of these young men, their coaches, and their parents for their excellent display of positive sportsmanship at an education based athletic event. Best of luck to both teams this season and keep up the great work!

Reporting Official: Brent Thompson

Sportsmanship Plus - Track & Field

Packy Paquette Invitational
April 6, 2018

While officiating the meet, we observed outstanding sportsmanship by athletes, coaches, and fans. One such example of sportsmanship was displayed by Sydney Zweig from Hayward. While a participant herself in several events, she offered to support the blocks of athletes from other schools. She did this on many occasions. Athletes after competing in tightly contested races congratulated each other at the finish line. We observed this throughout the meet. Athletic Director and Meet Manager Ray Kosey and his staff did an outstanding job again of hosting this premier Invitational Meet. The athletes, coaches and fans are to be congratulated for making this invitational meet a true pleasure to be a part of as officials. It is a privilege to be an official for the WIAA. We look forward to the remainder of the track and field season.

Reporting Official: Michael Jahn

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Soccer

Madison West @ Mount Horeb
April 10, 2018

This was a soccer game with great sportsmanship on both sides. Although there were hard challenges and tackles from both teams there was superior sportsmanship shown by both teams. Often on a foul if the opponent was put on the ground, the offender was there to help her up. A wonderful game for players to have participated in, for fans to watch and for us as referees to have officiated in. A cold but perfect match and night.

Reporting Official: Thomas Vergeront

Sportsmanship Plus - Softball

Manawa @ Wild Rose
March 27, 2018

Although the first game of the season was not a classic competition, it did exemplify how coaches and athletes should handle a situation where the score is not particularly close. The team leading was not rubbing it in, the girls were respectful to their opponent. The coach ahead on the scoreboard did his best to control the situation by have his girls go station to station, and he substituted freely. What I found most outstanding was that the team trailing continued to work with their kids. They kept coaching, which enables the kids to get something out of game that didn't go their way. People could learn a lot watching the sportsmanship that was on display with these two teams. I'll certainly work better games this season, but I may not work with a better group of coaches and young ladies.

Reporting Official: Gary Hagberg

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Basketball

Muskego @ Divine Savior Holy Angels
Feb. 24, 2018

I submit this report of excellent sportsmanship on the part of two outstanding coaches and staff, and the supporters of both schools, DSHA and Muskego. Both coaches displayed respect and class in a tough game. After the game was over and we were heading out, the DSHA head coach and his staff were waiting outside the locker room and wanted to compliment us and expressed their opinion on the job we did. They were quite positive and respectful. By the way, this was the coaching staff of the losing team. After that, the head coach escorted us out of the building. I have been doing this for 47 years and it was right up there with the best display of sportsmanship and class I have experienced. Props to both schools and their coaching staffs. They get it! Their respective schools are fortunate to have them leading their young athletes.

Reporting Official: Steven Nelson

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Hockey

Florence @ Crandon
Feb. 9, 2018

This game was a pleasure to work. The teams were extremely well-coached and the sportsmanship displayed by both teams was outstanding. We were treated like royalty by the home school district. The coaches from both teams were positive with their players and in their interactions with us. The players displayed outstanding sportsmanship at all times.

Reporting Official: Michael Lyons

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Hockey

Stoughton Co-op @ Sun Prairie Co-op
Feb. 6, 2018

At the beginning of a late-season conference game, the Sun Prairie Co-op team held their Senior Night recognition ceremony on the ice. Both teams were lined up on their respective blue lines. While the Sun Prairie announcer read off the first Sun Prairie senior, she proceeded to center ice and received a flower. Then the announcer read off the name of a Stoughton senior, where she proceeded to join the Sun Prairie senior at center ice. This continued back and forth until both teams’ seniors were at center ice, where they received a round of applause from all the fans. This was a great display of sportsmanship before an important game and in front of a lot of fans! The Sun Prairie co-op girls team needs to be commended for this act of kindness and good sportsmanship!

Reporting Official: Dave Ferwerda

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Basketball

Eau Claire North @ Rice Lake
Feb. 9, 2018

I want to commend Todd Marks (head coach, the staff and players for outstanding sportsmanship. In a heated playoff type atmosphere Marks exemplified behaviors of how a coach and educator should handle himself. The contest was very intense. Marks was great to work with when he had questions about calls during the game. The players were respectful throughout the contest. Oftentimes getting the ball for us on dead balls. The captain of North asked respectful questions at appropriate times during the game. I appreciate Coach Marks’ leadership and character.

Reporting Official: Brian Trettin