Menomonee Falls Baseball Wins State Championship; Fans Earn State Sportsmanship Award

MENOMONEE FALLS -- Menomonee Falls has taken home its third sportsmanship award in the last three years, this year the accolade goes to the boys summer baseball team and its fans.

The winners of the prestigious WIAA Sportsmanship award are Waupaca in spring baseball, Delavan-Darien in softball, Neenah in boys tennis, Belleville/New Glarus in girls soccer and Menomonee Falls in summer baseball.

After receiving honorable mention last year, Menomonee Falls and the Indians’ faithful were this year’s recipient of the Sportsmanship Award at the State Summer Baseball Tournament. They won the State title with a 6-0 win over New Holstein in the semifinals and a 2-0 victory over Marquette in the final. It was the third time Menomonee Falls has been selected for the Sportsmanship Award. The Indians won the award in boys soccer in 2014 and girls soccer in 2015. Oak Creek received honorable mention.

"We could not be more proud of our community," said Megan Sheridan, director of communications & community outreach for the school district of Menomonee Falls. "This award goes beyond our players and shows the true heart of our students, parents and community members that cheered our boys all the way to a second state championship in a row."

This is the third sportsmanship award that Menomonee Falls has earned in the last three years, last year's award came from the girls soccer team and in 2014 the boys soccer team earned the accolade.

Menomonee Falls High School Athletic Director Ryan Anderson credits these awards to the culture building done at the start of each school year with students and coaches. He calls it the "fan boot camp."

"Our boot camp has really been an integral part of setting the tone for the school year in athletics," he said. "Students are able to create cheers that serve a dual purpose of revving up the athletes and making our fans proud of our students."

About the WIAA Awards

The WIAA/Rural Mutual Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school and community in each of the State team tournaments. The 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 insure support for their teams are positive and that the highest ideals of sportsmanship are upheld. Award winners receive a plaque and banner in recognition of the honor. Schools receiving honorable mention are acknowledged with a certificate of recognition.