Sportsmanship - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sportsmanship Plus - Girls Volleyball

West Allis Hale Tournament
Sept. 9, 2017

My officiating partner and I have had the privilege of officiating for Morgan Hunt of Racine Park for four years at the West Allis Hale Blandino Tournament. She is a captain and is ALWAYS pleasant and has a kind word for both her team mates and opposing players. Questions asked politely. A hand shake and smile after the match for the officials is gracious and well-meant. A true pleasure to officiate.

Reporting Official: Dale Laabs

Sportsmanship Plus - Swimming & Diving

Platteville @ Lodi
Sept. 8, 2017

During my captain's meeting, I gave my usual chat about captains being the leaders that the team members will look to in terms of sportmanship. The Platteville captain proactively spoke up, and said "Sportsmanship is really important to our team. Our swimmers will wait at the end of the lane until the last swimmer finishes the race. Is that important to your team also?" The Lodi captain agreed. What was remarkable about this conversation is that the captain had a clear idea of what good sportsmanship was, could articulate it clearly as an action, and basically invited the other team to come on board and also demonstrate the same behavior. I have never had a captain's meeting that has included an athlete's definition of sportmanship and invitation to join in. It was a refreshing and extraordinary discussion that showed the captain's and team's ownership of the sportsmanship demonstrated at the meet.

Reporting Official: Pat Coyne

Sportsmanship Plus - Football

Oshkosh West @ Kimberly
Sept. 8, 2017

The Kimberly athletic department did a great job hosting this football game. I went to observe my crew. Athletic secretary Marcia Van Hout and Athletic Director Ryan McGinnis did an outstanding job making me and my crew welcome for the game. Coach Ken Levine from Oshkosh West communicated respectfully with my crew the entire night and his sideline was very clean. He asked multiplerule related questions in a positive manner. Coach Jones and his staff at Kimberly worked hard with their players as well. I informed him of several close rule issues and he thanked me for following up with rule clarification. Both the Kimberly and Oshkosh West teams have excellent leadership from their respective coaches.

Reporting Official: James Schaefer

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