News

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

Freedom @ Wrightstown
Feb. 8, 2018

I would like to acknowledge an outstanding representation of what a high school sporting event should be. First, hats off to Athletic Director Bob Caelwaerts and his entire staff for the first rate and professional approach to managing this event. He sent out, in advance, one of the most detailed and thorough game sheets to all involved parties insuring that everyone was aware of their role and respective responsibilities, leaving nothing to chance. Upon our arrival, personnel were available and friendly directing us to our dressing room and insuring we had everything we needed. The same courteous and prompt attention to our needs were available at half time and post-game as well. I would also like to compliment both Mike Froehlke (Wrightstown Coach) and Mike Vander Loop (Freedom Coach) and their staffs. Both were outstanding representatives of what the best in high school mentoring and teaching can and should be. Both coaches were engaged but respectful. Questions were asked and when answered both coaches accepted explanations and went back to focusing their attention on coaching and teaching their athletes. Throughout the entire contest coaches coached, players played and we worked hard to maintain a level of consistency so the athletes were the focus of attention. Additional kudos to Coach Vander Loop for the additional sportsmanship on display when a Wrightstown player achieved a career milestone. When the game was momentarily halted to acknowledge this achievement, Coach Vander Loop had several of his players go and personally congratulate the Wrightown athlete. It was refreshing to see mutual respect and achievement being recognized and celebrated. It is apparent the lessons these athletes from both teams are being taught will hold them in good stead well after the results of these games fade away. Life lessons are the most important values that high school sports can offer and teach. It is a privilege to be associated with high school sports and being a part of games like this only serves to reinforce that circumstance.

Reporting Official:  Stephen Sanders

Ironwood, MI @ Hurley
Feb. 2, 2018

We had the privilege to officiate the Hurley vs. Ironwood boys basketball game. This match-up is always a good battle of two really good programs. Not only did the game live up to all expectations, but far exceeded anything in recent history. The week was Snow Week at Hurley with all of the excitement that all of the special activities brings. Then the JV game went into double overtime with lots of loud cheering and encouraging by each team's fans. The varsity game was able to match this and go beyond. The gym was packed with a great pep band, cheerleaders and fans that really supported their teams. All night long the players played really hard, coaches coached and fans were really loud urging their team on. It was back and forth all night. The students, parents and all in attendance cheered for the players from both teams. This truly exemplifies the reason we have athletics.  It was a great show of sportsmanship.  Congratulations go out to both schools, coaches, players and fans!  Well done!!

Reporting Official:  Rob Frenchick

Arcadia Invitational
Jan. 20, 2018

Cochrane-Fountain City showed excellent sportsmanship all day. The coaches and wrestlers were very respectful to the officials.  

Reporting Official: Bradyn Korpal

Turner @ Clinton
Dec. 28, 2017

My officiating partners and I would like to commend the Clinton boys basketball team and coaching staff for the way that they conducted themselves during this hard fought game. The coaching staff openly asked our officiating group questions regarding calls we had made. They were professional during each and every encounter, accepted our explanations and thanked us every time. The players did likewise. They played hard and were respectful throughout the course of the game. Clinton certainly proved to us that their coaching staff is teaching the right things and leading by example.  Well done!

Reporting Official:  Martin Stewart