June 9, 2017 at 1:45 p.m.
ABC Honors: Afpel awarded Heart of the Hodag; Schickert, Wild receive scholarships
ABC Honors: Afpel awarded Heart of the Hodag; Schickert, Wild receive scholarships
The award is presented annually to a coach, volunteer or community member who goes above and beyond the call of duty to support sports in the Rhinelander area.
Apfel, who passed away suddenly in February at the age of 54, personified what the award embodies, having spent more than a decade and a half coaching football, basketball and baseball at the JV, JV2 or middle school level in Rhinelander.
"The Heart of the Hodag pretty much described him to a T," Kyle Apfel said Wednesday night, accepting the award on his father's behalf. "He truly bled the kelly green. He loved everything about this town, this community and especially the athletic programs.
"I can't thank you guys enough. It really means a lot to recognize my dad and all the hard work he put into this community."
Jeff Scandin, master of ceremonies for Wednesday's banquet, summed up the view of the ABC in presenting Apfel with the award.
"The Heart of the Hodag Award, it's a special thing for persons who do different to accomplish some for the Rhinelander Hodags," he said. "I have some personal friends that have been awarded this but, tonight, this is really special. Very, very special to me."
Never one who craved the limelight, Kyle Apfel said he's not sure how his father would have reacted to being presented the award, but knows he would have been deeply touched by the gesture.
"If he were here right now, I don't know if he'd even have words to describe how he feels about that," he said. "He'd probably be up here shedding a tear or two. This, right here, would mean the absolute world to him."
After Mark Apfel's passing, his family set up a memorial fund to go toward establishing a scholarship in his memory. The family will hold a golf scramble Saturday, July 8 at Edgewater Country Club in Tomahawk with proceeds going toward the scholarship fund.
As he did back in February, Kyle Apfel told those in attendance the best way to honor his father is to follow the example he set.
"I hope you guys can coach like he did and keep the tradition going strong," he said. "I know it would make him the proudest to keep see Rhinelander improve, both athletically and in school too."
Other honors
The ABC presented its Student-Athlete Scholarships to a couple of RHS seniors who were decorated three-sport athletes during their high school careers - Ali Schickert and Logan Wild.
Schickert was a standout in girls' tennis, girls' basketball and softball, earning all-conference honors in all three sports. She was a champion at No. 3 doubles, with teammate Erica Counter, back in 2015, was an all-district and unanimous first-team all-Great Northern Conference pitcher in 2016 and received honorable mention in girls' basketball in 2017.
Wild was the GNC boys' tennis player of the year in 2016, and the conference runner-up at No. 1 singles this year. Additionally he received honorable mention from the GNC in football in 2016 and was a four-year contributor to the RHS boys' hockey team.
Both, at the time of filing scholarship applications with the ABC, were in the top 25 percent of this year's graduating class. Schickert had a 3.57 GPA and Wild had a 3.48 GPA. Both will be attending UW-La Crosse next fall. Schickert, who will play softball for the Eagles, plans to major in early childhood education. Wild has not yet declared a major.
Each received a $1,000 scholarship from the ABC.
During his annual sports year in review report, Rhinelander High School activities director Brian Paulson recognized Kiah Francis, the Hodag senior who won the WIAA Division 2 state title in both the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard breaststroke last November at the state girls' swim meet.
Over the last 12 months, the ABC gave back nearly $24,000 to the community in the form of grants and scholarships, including donations of greater than $2,000 to the Rhinelander Ice Association, the RHS softball team, and the RHS cross country team.
"We can't do that if we don't have members that continue to join us," Brandon Karaba, president of the ABC board of directors said during the banquet. "Numbers aren't going down in athletics. Just last year we had the trap team form, the composite mountain bike team form and these are just kids that want things to do. Every coach is continuously getting more kids to get into more events. Everybody's joining different things and budgets are getting tougher. That's why we're here."
The club is in the midst of its annual membership drive and is planning its annual golf outing, which is set for Saturday, Aug. 5 at Rhinelander Country Club. More information about the club is available on its Facebook page: www.facebook.
com/RhinelanderABC.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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