Sports Report PLUS

Spencer/Columbus @ Wittenberg-Birnamwood
Sept. 22, 2024

This letter is to recognize the outstanding sportsmanship showcased by the Wittenberg-Birnamwood and Spencer-Columbus football programs. We must acknowledge the outstanding hospitality Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School provides its officials. The communication and positive treatment by Chris Nier and the staff is impeccable. We also would like to acknowledge the outstanding sportsmanship illustrated by both teams’ coaching staff. Coaches were positive in their tactics and communicated well with officials. We were also grateful how well the coaches kept their sidelines clean. The players worked hard for their coaches and were positive with each other. Players asked good questions and accepted the answers from officials. On the line of scrimmage, players were optimistic with their words and actions and helped each other off the turf. The field was in great shape, the chain gang extremely competent, the announcer positive, the clock operator accurate, fans positive and constructive, and the athletic trainers caring and attentive to both teams. Also, we would like to highlight the efforts of the ball people; they did a great job following officials, rotating balls, and staying attentive throughout the entire contest. Congratulations to Coach Rieck and Coach Gorst for the positive behavior of their coaching staff and players. We applaud the communities of Wittenberg-Birnamwood and Spencer-Columbus for their educational and coaching leadership.  It takes time and effort to train our youth on the importance of education, sports, and leadership, and we are grateful for your commitment to positive sportsmanship.    

Reporting Official:  Shawn Umland

Racine Horlick @ Sheboygan North
Sept. 14, 2024

Racine Horlick behaved above and beyond my expectations. They just played soccer. There was no name-calling, no arguing, just soccer. An ice cream vendor came strolling by near the end of the game during the 80+ degree afternoon. I told the captain from Racine Horlick how good that would be to have some after the game. He and his teammates were ecstatic when I told them I would buy them some as a thank you for being on their best behavior throughout the game. I handed the vendor the payment before leaving. Thank you Racine Horlick for making my day!

Reporting Official:  Mike Walsh

Racine Case vs. Appleton East & Waupun @ Waupun
Sept. 7, 2024

This is actually a four-part Sportsmanship Plus recognition. It covers both a varsity team and its JVs. I officiated two Racine Case JV games and two varsity games today. The first JV game was as half of the two-man system, and I was on the parents' side. For the second JV game, I was center. The second and fourth games of the day were both as AR2 (parents' side) of Case's varsity games, which put me in front of Case's parents. Racine Case teams were stelar in the way they handled themselves, treated their teammates and interacted with their opponents -- the coaches were also great. I also want to recognize the varsity and the JV parents. It was obvious these student-athletes are being raised by some great role models. In conclusion, all of this was 100 percent of the time, spanning 7.5 hours from beginning to end. It was a long day and there were actually many specifics that lead up to this Sportsmanship Plus recognition.

Reporting Official:  Tom Konecny