Good Afternoon,
Voting for the Special Election for the vacant Board of Control, District 3 position will be completed with electronic voting. Voting for the primary election begins today, Monday, April 1 and will close on Tuesday, April 9 .
In an effort to engage voter participation and based on recent feedback gathered from schools, each candidate was asked to provide a written response to the following question: “Why do you desire to be a WIAA Board/Advisory Member and how will you serve the membership in this role?” Below are each of the candidate’s responses along with a short career summary.
SPECIAL ELECTION - BOARD OF CONTROL (DISTRICT 3)
Joel Heesch - Superintendent of Mauston (BOC District 3)
“Why do you desire to be a WIAA Board/Advisory Member and how will you serve the membership in this role?”
“I aspire to serve as a WIAA Board Member to contribute my experience and passion for fostering fair, and competitive sports environments. With a commitment to transparency and collaboration, I aim to represent and advocate for member schools, promoting policies and initiatives that enhance the student-athlete experience and uphold sportsmanship.”
- Business Owner 1991-Present
- Varsity Boys Basketball Coach 1996-2013
- Founder and member of Mauston Boys Basketball Club 1996-Present
- AAU Coach for Roberts Bros. Painting 2006-2013
- WBCA Division 3 All Star Game Coach 2013
- 8th Grade Assistant Boys Basketball Coach/Mentor 2023-Present
- Business Education Teacher 1998-2013
- Assistant Principal Mauston High School 2013-2019
- Superintendent School District of Mauston 2019-Present
- WASDA Board of Directors 2022-Present
- Directed Capital Referendum Projects 2020-2023
- Mauston Area Chamber of Commerce Board 2019-2023
Michael Johnson - Superintendent of Eau Claire (BOC District 3)
“Why do you desire to be a WIAA Board/Advisory Member and how will you serve the membership in this role?”
“I hope to join the Board of Control to promote the membership’s vision and opportunities. I will serve effectively due to my small/large school coaching and administrative experience in Wisconsin, present participation in WIAA committees, and foundationally, my own rural Wisconsin background as a student-athlete.”
- Superintendent, Eau Claire Area School District, 2020 – present
- Member of WIAA Competitive Balance and Classification Committees, 2021 - present
- Assistant Superintendent, South Washington County School District (MN), 2014-2020
- Participant in Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) “Inside Out” Initiative, 2018
- HS AP, MS Principal, Director of Academics, School District of River Falls, 2003-2014
- Teacher/Coach 1993-2003 (Abbotsford, Fall Creek, Eau Claire, Rice Lake, Chippewa Falls)
- Varsity, JV, and MS Coach of various sports: Boys’ Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Track, Softball
- WIAA Sportsmanship Summit Participant (Fall 2000)
- Four-sport graduate of Phillips HS (1987) and WIAA State participant in Boys’ BB, Track, and Golf
- WIAA State participant (Varsity Coach) Boys’ Basketball, Rice Lake (2002)
- Hall of Fame Inductee – UW-Eau Claire (2008), Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (2023)
- B.A., M.A. – University of Wisconsin Eau Claire; Ed. S. – University of St. Thomas (MN)
Brian Nadeau - Superintendent of Plum City (BOC District 3)
“Why do you desire to be a WIAA Board/Advisory Member and how will you serve the membership in this role?”
“My passion is to ensure education-based athletics continues to be a lever to advance student achievement and personal growth as we help develop positive and productive citizens. I will work to continue to build and enhance the opportunities available to student-athletes while seeking input and feedback from those I serve.”
- Superintendent - Plum City - 2021-present
- PK-12 Principal - Clayton - 2019-2021
- Dean of Students - Hudson Middle School - 2016-2019
- MS Asst Principal - Tomah Middle School - 2015-2016
- Science Teacher & Athletic Coach - 1999-2015
- Superintendent License & Master’s Degree - Saint Mary’s University
- Bachelor’s Degree - Biology & Secondary Education - UW-River Falls
- WIAA Basketball Official (Master) & Football Official
- Played D3 collegiate baseball - UW-River Falls Falcons
- Honor Student & 3-sport student-athlete at Baldwin-Woodville HS ('93)
- WIAA State Champion - Football - Division 4 ('92)
- WIAA State participant - Summer Baseball ('91)
Wayne Sackett - Principal of Holmen High School (BOC District 3)
“Why do you desire to be a WIAA Board/Advisory Member and how will you serve the membership in this role?”
“I have a long history of involvement in athletics and education. My experience as a WIAA athlete, parent, coach, and administrator have created a well-rounded perspective; combined with my ability to navigate complex issues makes me an excellent candidate. I believe I would be a valuable asset to the Board.”
- La Crosse Central / UW-La Crosse / Viterbo Graduate
- WIAA athlete, coach, parent, administrator
- WFCA/Green Bay Packer Football Coach of the Year (2007 - WIAA State Champions)
- 2019 - Lead $23.5 Referendum and HHS Building Project that includes new athletic facilities
- Spearheaded movement of 90% freshman participation & 75% of the entire student body
- Promotes the development of Athletic Programs - Girls Wrestling, Trap Shooting, La Crosse, Adaptive Sports League
- 3x La Crosse Tribune Football Coach of the Year (2002, 2005, 2007)
- Former West Salem High School Science Teacher and Head Football / Assistant Girls Basketball / Powerlifting Coach
- Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award 2014
- Father to four daughters and WIAA athletes: Tierra-25, Tianna-25, Taylor-21, Reece-18
- Former District Representative for Wisconsin Football Coaches Association