WIAA Board conducts first meeting of 2025-26

Karl Morrin, the superintendent at Wautoma, presided over the first meeting of the 2025-26 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control last week.

The board conducted its 2025-26 officer elections. Brian Nadeau, superintendent in the Plum City School District, will serve as the president-elect. Jill Stobber, athletics and activities administrator at Waterford High School, was re-elected to the role of treasurer. In addition, Ted Knutson, president at Aquinas, was introduced as new member, returning to the board after serving from 2012-19.

Among the action items approved by the board was the 2025-26 operational budget, various membership committee and employee handbooks, the 2025-26 Media Policies Reference Guide, an amendment to the existing agreement with the NFHS Network, the annual renewal of the WIAA’s membership in the National Federation of State High School Associations, as well as the general financial reports.

The executive staff presented the board with updates on the Calendar & Contact Committee’s summer coaching contact survey, the Student-Athlete Leadership Team, the recent launch of the WIAA Foundation, awareness of the annual correspondence to state legislators and school administrators, a review of the Advisory Council role in the membership rule-making process, a technology report on a redesign of the WIAA website, a recap of the New Athletic Director Workshop, and plans for discussions at the fall Area Meetings.    

The board also received presentation on the ongoing efforts to recruit and retain officials, which included results of an officials’ survey and supplemental data by Brian Nicol of the Donovan Group. Nicol also introduced the creation and review for a draft of a membership-wide strategic planning survey.        

In separate news Friday, the WIAA and the Green Bay Packers announced a collaborative effort to recognize exemplary high school football officials across Wisconsin during the 2025 season.

As part of a NFHS and NFL initiative to honor high school football officials, the Packers and WIAA will recognize a “Crew of the Month” in September, October and November. Each month, WIAA personnel will review nominations for five positions: referee, umpire, head linesperson, line judge and back judge. Individuals will be named as part of the Crew of the Month based on demonstration of objectivity, fairness in rules implementation and commitment as officials.

At the conclusion of the season, five outstanding officials previously named to a Crew of the Month will be selected as members of a Wisconsin “Crew of the Year.” All participating NFL clubs’ Crew of the Year honorees will then be sent to the NFHS and NFL to determine a national Crew of the Year.

Each month’s honorees will be highlighted on Packers and NFL Play Football digital and social media platforms.