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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


Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Basketball

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

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Basketball

Oostburg @ Ozaukee
Feb. 7, 2018


Great sportsmanship from players, coaches and fans in a competitive Big East Tournament semi-final game. Both schools should be proud of themselves. 

Reporting Official:  Dan Merte

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Basketball

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

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