Spring Tournament Sportsmanship Award Recipients Announced

Tuesday, August 5th, 2025 -- 10:59 AM

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in partnership with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2025 Spring State Team Tournaments.

The winners of the prestigious award are Brookfield Central in girls soccer, Fall Creek in softball, Johnson Creek in baseball, and Neenah in boys tennis.

Brookfield Central received positive evaluations for the sportsmanship displayed by players, coaches and spectators at the State Girls Soccer Tournament held at Southeast Sales Powersports Stadium at Uihlein Soccer Park on June 19-21. It’s the fourth time the Lancers have been bestowed the honor overall and the first time in girls soccer. They also received sportsmanship awards for boys tennis in 2023 and 2005, and they have the distinction of being the first-ever award recipient with their selection for boys basketball in 1965. The second-seeded Lancers captured the Division 2 title with a 2-1 victory over Pewaukee in the championship game after defeating Sauk Prairie 3-0 in the semifinals. The schools and communities receiving honorable mention include Kimberly, Sauk Prairie and Washburn.

The sportsmanship displayed by Fall Creek at the State Softball Tournament at Goodman Softball Complex  on June 11-14 led to its selection as the WIAA/Rural Mutual Insurance Sportsmanship Award recipient for the first time in softball and for the fourth time overall. The Crickets prior three selections were all for girls basketball, including 2021, 1994 and 1986. As the top seed in Division 3, they finished runner-up following an 11-5 loss to second-seeded Poynette in the championship game. The Crickets advanced from the semifinals with a 6-4 win over Valders. Honorable mention for the award was extended to Cedarburg, D.C. Everest, Hamilton, Lakeland, McDonell Catholic, New Richmond, Poynette, Sun Prairie East, Thorp and Watertown.

Johnson Creek demonstrated respectful and positive team and spectator support in winning the Division 4 championship at the State Baseball Tournament held at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on June 16-19. It’s the first time the Bluejays have been named as the recipient of the award. As the second seed, they shutout top-seeded Pacelli 5-0 in the championship game after downing #3-seeded Pittsville 6-2 in the semifinals. Honorable mention for the award was given to Aquinas, Badger, Barron, Edgar, Fennimore, Hudson, Pittsville, Reedsburg and Sun Prairie East.

Neenah was selected as the award recipient after the Rockets advanced to semifinals of the State Boys Team Tennis Tournament conducted at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on June 16-19. It’s the 12th time in Neenah has been honored with the award and the fifth time in boys tennis. The Rockets have also received the recognition in boys tennis in 2002, 2006, 2016 and 2017; girls tennis in 2000, 2015 and 2021;  girls soccer in 2001; and in boys basketball in 1969, 1975 and 1988.  As the #4 seed, the Rockets defeated Marquette 4-3  in the Division 1 quarterfinals before falling to top-seed, and eventual champion, Brookfield Central 6-1 in the semifinals. Altoona received honorable mention for the award.

The WIAA/Rural Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school program and community–or communities in the case of cooperative programs–that demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship in WIAA team tournaments. 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 showcases the highest ideals of sportsmanship.

The selection process includes evaluations from contest officials, tournament management, as well as, security personnel, crowd control and ushers, and WIAA staff members. Rural Mutual Insurance began sponsoring the Sportsmanship Award program back in 1965.

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