Sportsmanship - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Volleyball

Bonduel @ Wittenberg-Birnamwood
Sept. 12, 2017

want to commend the players and coaches for their hard work and sportsmanship during the pre-game, the warm-ups and throughout the match. I also want to commend both schools for their fans. Fans were positive during the entire match and there was not one instance where I heard a negative comment from the stands. I want to specifically point out the student section from Wittenberg-Birnamwood. They were outstanding! They were constantly cheering for their team, getting excited over great plays, and never engaged in negative cheers or jeers toward the opponents. A shout-out to the coaches, students, players and staff on a job well done by both schools.

Reporting Official: Lance Bagstad

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Soccer

Janesville Parker @ Whitewater
Sept. 11, 2017Sept. 11, 2017

This game was a great example of High School sportsmanship. This was played on the 16th anniversary of 9/11, and to begin with there was a great tribute given by John Chenoweth, the Whitewater coach. The game was a hard fought game and although there were some hard fouls, the offending player often was there to help up their opponent off of the ground. None of the players disputed any calls or talked back to the officials. The fans from both teams cheered positively and we did not hear any complaints about calls or boos. As an officiating crew that referees 20-plus games per season, we were in agreement that this game ranked at the top for positive sportsmanship. What a pleasure it was to officiate this game.

Reporting Official: Thomas Vergeront

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Greendale @ New Berlin Eisenhower
Sept. 8, 2017

It was a pleasure to work the Friday night game. The staff at Eisenhower was fantastic. When we arrived, we were met by game manager Bill Knapp, and he took us to our locker room, where we were given all the information for the night. He escorted us into our area for halftime where we had refreshments and homemade snacks for us. The play on the field was outstanding, players helping each other up, handshakes, pats on the back, etc... The sidelines had zero issues and that is a reflection of both Coach Kern and Coach Stoltz and I commend both of them for that. After the game Coach Stoltz came up and personally complimented a number of our crew members on his appreciation for what we do. Working events like this is what makes this profession so great! Congratualtions and good luck.

Reporting Official: Michael Arendt

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Kaukauna @ Marshfield
Sept. 8, 2017

I feel the need to submit what we thought was the model for WIAA high school sports sportsmanship. What a great experience our crew had. The players coaches and fans were the model for what makes the game so enjoyable. We want both communities involved here to know without doubt the high level and quality of their respective staffs. Thanks to all involved including the Marshfield AD and our caretakers for the night. What a super experience.

Reporting Official: Rich Hohl

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Kaukauna @ Marshfield
Sept. 8, 2017

I feel the need to submit what we thought was the model for WIAA high school sports sportsmanship. What a great experience our crew had. The players coaches and fans were the model for what makes the game so enjoyable. We want both communities involved here to know without doubt the high level and quality of their respective staffs. Thanks to all involved including the Marshfield AD and our caretakers for the night. What a super experience.

Reporting Official: Rich Hohl

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Kettle Moraine Lutheran @ Berlin
Sept. 1, 2017

Berlin High School made us feel very welcome as Joe Brandl, the athletic director, greeted our crew, showed us to the locker room, provided towels for the crew to shower, and a candy bar for energy. Thank you Berlin Athletic Department for your wonderful hospitality! Kettle Moraine Lutheran Coach David Kren worked hard to lead his players throughout the game. KML players kept a good positive attitude throughout the contest, and Coach Kren stayed positive in leading his team the entire game. Berlin Coach Joe Stellmacher led his team in a positive manner as well. The Berlin sideline was clean, and he was very respectful during interactions with the officials the entire night. Great job coaches in leading by acts of good sportsmanship the young athletes in your respective communities.

Reporting Official: James Schaefer

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Cedar Grove-Belgium @ Mishicot
Sept. 1, 2017

The Mishicot athletic director,Terri Risch, met us at the door, showed us our locker room, gave us water, and escorted us to the field. Excellent job for treating us well to start! The game was well-played with only four total penalties. A Mishicot player had a significant injury and Coach Schreurs from Cedar Grove-Belgium came over and checked to see if he was OK. Excellent leadership on his part by demonstrating concern about an opponent to his team. Coach Fix from Mishicot also did a great job communicating with the officials and his team during the game. His sideline was clean the whole game. Nice work coaches on leading your teams by acts of outstanding sportsmanship.

Reporting Official: James Schaefer

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Spencer/Columbus Catholic @ Stanley-Boyd
Sept. 1, 2017

I wanted to share with you an unbelievable game that epitomizes what a WIAA football Friday night experience should be like. The picturesque fall evening was the perfect scene in which both teams student athlete’s displayed great sportsmanship and athletic ability, coaching staffs from both sides were respectful and intense, and both teams fans cheered respectively and in support of their team. Both head coaches, Mr. Koenig from Stanley-Boyd, and Mr. Gorst from Spencer/Columbus should be very proud of how their players, coaches and fans demonstrated their actions in a positive experience for everyone in attendance. As a crew we talked about after the game what a privilege it was to be a part of a game that really embodies the true spirit of high hchool sports. Games and experiences like this one makes our crew appreciative of the opportunity we have to be a part of these contests every week. Here’s to a great rest of the season!

Reporting Official: Andrew Ligman

Sportsmanship Plus - Cross Country

Spooner Invitational
Aug. 31, 2017

I witnessed an amazing sportsmanship moment when the Chetek-Weyerhaeuser CC team members once again greeted and cheered every single runner coming across the finish line for both varsity and middle school runners. The smiles, high fives, pats on the back and cheering was so feverish that when the boys race was finishing, I witnessed the swelling of runners at the back of the finish chute swell to include five schools and just shy of 40 athletes join in the celebration. All because Chetek-Weyerhaeuser athletes had started on their own. It was an electrifying moment to witness not only for me and my partner, but for all the fans as well. These athletes from Chetek-Weyerhaeuser have consistently demonstrated this sportsmanship over the past several years and continue again this year demonstrating this is for real. A trait instilled from within the coaching philosophy and administration as well and certainly worthy of recognition in our northwest region if not the state.

Barron Invitational
Sept. 19, 2017

Once more the athletes from the Chetek-Weyerhaeuser high school were greeting runners at the finish line with hoots and hollers that roared above the crowd. I have been shooting videos of these athletes to document their spirit and enthusiasm at each meet, and never fail, its always there. And if you watch and listen closely you can feel the impact on the crowd and other fellow athletes at the venue. What a great group of athletes demonstrating the true aspect of sportsmanship for themselves and athletes from all around them. It makes no difference whether or not the runners are in the top or bottom 10. The cheering is the same. Its loud! Its enthusiastic! Its magnetic! Its great!

Reporting Official: Dick Nerbun

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Edgar @ Tomahawk
Sept. 1, 2017

Our officiating crew would like to acknowledge the outstanding sportsmanship displayed by the Tomahawk head coach John Larsen, his staff, and the players. The coaches did an exceptional job of modeling positive sportsmanship. They were upbeat with their commands, kept their players motivated and working hard, and were positive with their comments and actions. Mr. Larsen did an extraordinary job of keeping his coaches and players out of the restricted area during plays. The modeling of proper behavior by the coaches allowed the players to be positive and attentive to the rules, exhibit good sportsmanship, and listen to the suggestions of the officials. We appreciate the optimistic actions of the entire program.We were honored to officiate the game.

Reporting Official: Shawn Umland