Antigo @ Berlin
Aug. 17, 2018

What a great start to the 2018 high school football season! We had the privilege working this game and would like to give both programs a “shout out” for their sportsmanship and positive teaching approach. It began with the professionalism of Athletic Director Joe Brandl who met us with a reserved parking space and then escorted us to our dressing facilities where he had provided a pregame snack and Gatorade for us. Upon entering the field we met with coaches from both teams who were outstanding in their positive and instructive approach. Joe Stellmacher (Berlin) and Tom Schofield (Antigo) and their staffs are both excellent examples of what it means to make high school sports an extension of the class room. Both teams were well-coached and disciplined. Both teams played hard and respectful. Both coaching staffs were professional and engaged, encouraging their athletes and allowing us to do our jobs to the best of our ability. It is when coaches coach, officials manage their environment and players compete that sport is at its best. In high school sports every team has the opportunity to learn the value of hard work, persistence, team work, how to compete, how to deal with success and even more importantly how to deal with adversity. It is not the mistakes or adversity in life that defines us but how we respond. These young men from both of these programs have coaches and staffs that will teach them those lessons which wills serve them well after their football playing ends. It was a privilege to be a part of this high school sports experience and a great way to begin the season.

Reporting Official:  Stephan Sanders