Sportsmanship - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

Medford @ Antigo
May 4, 2023

We had the extreme honor of working an awesome Great Northern Conference baseball game. The atmosphere was amazing. The field was beautiful. The teams were both well- prepared and well-coached. There was great sportsmanship throughout. Fans players coaches were simply stunning. We want to congratulate BOTH of these programs/schools. Both communities should be proud of their respective squads. This is what WIAA sports should strive to be.

Reporting Official: Rich Hohl

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

Owen-Withee @ Spencer
May 2, 2023

It was 40 degrees with winds out of the north at 30 mph. It did not interfere with two teams showing great efforts and sportsmanship. Both teams coaches and fans expressed what WIAA sports could/should be. We want to congratulate these communities on how their respective teams operate. Great job and kudos to all involved.

Reporting Official: Rich Hohl

Sportsmanship Plus - Softball

Dodgeville @ Monona Grove
April 28, 2023

I would like to commend the Monona Grove girls' JV Softball team and their coach, Barb Walters, for giving each umpire, after the game, a special card of appreciation for umpiring their game. The card was signed by all the girls on the team. In part the card read, "Thank you for your support of high school athletics! We appreciate you taking the time tonight to officiate our game...." I might add, the Dodgeville players and coaches were also very polite after the game.

Reporting Official: Gerry Walta

Sportsmanship Plus - Baseball

St. Mary’s Springs @ Omro
April 14, 2023

Bryce Loker and Nate Piper led the Omro team by assisting opponents with bat retrieval. Lots of hustle to and from their positions, and offering a kind hand of congratulations on a game well-played. Ian Stoffel of St. Mary’s Springs also added multiple acts of Sportsmanship by helping retrieve foul balls and to chase down Omro players’ bats. We as umpires noticed these and many other positive acts of sportsmanship throughout the contest and very much appreciated them, thank you to both teams. Keep up the awesome work and have a great 2023 season!

Reporting Official: Brent Thompson

Sportsmanship Plus - Softball

Shawano @ Bay Port
March 28, 2023

Both teams, coaches and players, showed exceptional sportsmanship. I did not hear any negative words towards any officials or players. No complaining about any close plays or balls and strikes. If all teams showed this type of sportsmanship there would be more people wanting to umpire.

Reporting Official: Steve Kiel

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Basketball

De Pere vs. Marquette
March 11, 2022

This report is for good sportsmanship for the entire Marquette University HS staff. In an important game (sectional final) where the score was far from their favor and their season ended, the coaching staff and bench were respectful from start to finish. Coach Casey and his staff were respectful with any questions they had during the game no matter if a call went against their team or against the other team. As our crew left the floor, all the Marquette coaches thanked us for working the game.

Reporting Official: Dan Milliren

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Basketball

Milwaukee Vincent @ Watertown
Feb. 28, 2023

Thank you to the entire staffs of Watertown High School and Milwaukee Vincent High School for the hospitality and professionalism during the first round regional boys basketball game. This was one of the finest experiences our crew received this year. The game was competitive and energetic. The players and coaches displayed good sportsmanship which is a reflection of the leadership of head coaches from both teams. I have been a WIAA basketball official for 37 years and now have the opportunity and enjoyment of officiating varsity basketball games with my son. Our crew rarely experiences poor treatment or bad sportsmanship. This is my first “thank you” to the administrations and coaches this year. I just wanted to reach out and thank you all.

Reporting Official: Joseph Pintarro

Sportsmanship Plus-Boys Hockey

D.C. Everest @ Eau Claire North
Feb. 14, 2023

In a WIAA regional game, the Eau Claire North hockey team demonstrated excellent sportsmanship at the start, during and the end of the contest. The coaching staff displayed good control over their players, asked questions in a professional manner and directed their student athletes in accordance with rules of good sportsmanship. Their on ice captains displayed qualities of good leadership, and worked with the officials when asked to keep the game flow and maintain a good educational based environment. It was a playoff game that both teams should be proud to be a part of.

Reporting Official: Scott Swid

Sportsmanship Plus - Boys Basketball

Northland Pines @ Medford
Feb. 10, 2023

The environment was electric as the stands were full of supporters, and the pep band was entertaining the crowd. Both coaches should be commended for their great show of sportsmanship and passionate coaching for the entire game. The game was close all the way and the players were playing hard from the tip off until the final buzzer. All of the players from both teams displayed a high level of sportsmanship at all times. The fans from both sides were supportive of their teams and cheered with great vigor throughout the game. All three of us officials were grateful to have the opportunity to officiate at that game. That was a picture of what high school basketball should be all about. Please extend our comments to the high schools, coaches, players and the fans for a great night of high school basketball.

Reporting Official: Jim Trzinski

Winter State Tournament Sportsmanship Awards Announced

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance, has chosen the recipients of the team Sportsmanship Awards for the 2023 winter State Tournaments.