Waupaca High School’s football team didn’t return home from Madison with a state championship trophy in November, but the school and community can share a sportsmanship award.
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance Co., has selected Waupaca High School and four other schools as team sportsmanship award winners from the 2012 fall state championship series.
The winners are Waupaca in football, Manitowoc Roncalli in girls’ tennis, Oconto in girls’ volleyball, Milwaukee Marquette in boys’ volleyball and Mount Horeb in boys’ soccer.
It is the first time WHS has been selected for the award in any sport. The Comets advanced to the state Division 3 championship game, but fell to Catholic Memorial 42-7. Division 5 champion Amherst, Glenwood City, Lancaster, Potosi, Eau Claire Regis and Sun Prairie received honorable mention.
The WIAA/Rural Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school program and community – or communities, in the case of cooperative programs – in each of the state team tournaments that exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship. Award winners are determined by the conduct and sportsmanship displayed by athletes, coaches, cheer and support groups, mascots, bands and spectators. Additional consideration is given for the effort of school administrators and chaperones to ensure support for their teams is positive and that the highest ideals of sportsmanship are upheld.
Award winners receive a trophy and banner in recognition of the honor, while schools receiving honorable mention are acknowledged with a certificate of recognition.
The selection process includes contributions and evaluations from contest officials; tournament management; police and security personnel; crowd control and ushers; WIAA staff members; and area hotels and restaurants.