Sports Digest

WIAA, Resch Center extend state tournament facility agreement

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) and PMI Entertainment Group have agreed to a contract extension that grants the WIAA availability of the Resch Center for hosting high school state championships in girls volleyball, boys volleyball and girls basketball through March of 2030.

The Resch Center, opened in 2002, has been the host venue for the WIAA state girls’ volleyball tournament since 2002 and the state girls’ basketball tournament since 2013. In January of 2018, the WIAA Board of Control approved the move of the boys’ volleyball state tournament to the Resch Center to coincide with the state girls’ volleyball tournament in Green Bay beginning in 2019.

Attendance has increased significantly at the state girls’ volleyball tournament since the move to the Resch Center, setting a record for attendance with more than 25,500 spectators in 2024. The girls’ state basketball tournament has averaged 36,500 spectators since moving to Green Bay.

The WIAA tournaments have received community support to enhance attendance with the Rush to the Resch initiative. One school qualifying for the state boys’ and girls’ volleyball tournaments receives $1000 from the Green Bay Brown County Professional Football Stadium District by selling the most pre-sale tickets for the quarterfinals (girls’ Division 1 and boys) or semifinals (Divisions 2, 3, 4 and 5) in their respective divisions. In girls’ basketball, $2000 is awarded to the school in each of the five divisions with the most pre-sale tickets.

“It’s an exciting day as we not only kick-off a new contract, but also the start of the WIAA state volleyball tournament,” WIAA executive director Stephanie Hauser said. “We truly feel the red carpet treatment when we come to Green Bay. It’s a great  experience for everyone who attends, and the staff here at the Resch Center, Discover Green Bay and the surrounding businesses all make these events special.”

The state girls’ basketball tournament infuses approximately $2.2 million to the Green Bay community, and the state girls’ volleyball tournament has nearly a $1 million economic impact on the area.

“On behalf of Discover Green Bay, we are honored to host these events,” said Nick Meisner, vice-president of digital marketing and communications with Discover Green Bay. “It’s something our businesses and community really takes pride in, and these events have a massive impact; so this extension is a really big deal for our community.”

“We want the schools and communities to have an experience that they will never forget and provide them with a once in a lifetime memory, and the Resch Center really does that,” said Brendan Bruss, president of PMI Entertainment Group.

Northwoods Track Club to host pole vault competition in Hodag Dome Dec. 21

The Northwoods Track Club will host its inaugural The North Pole (Vault) competition Sunday, Dec. 21 in Rhinelander’s Hodag Dome. 

The event is open to both adult and youth pole vaulters. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each gender. 

The field will be split into flights, by height, the day of the event. The Dome will open for competitors at noon, with the first flight beginning at 1:15 p.m. Registration is $25 per person and includes a T-shirt (guaranteed if registered by Dec. 7), a custom ornament and prizes. Costumes are encouraged and the best dressed in each flight will earn a free fourth attempt.

For more information, and a link for registration, visit the Northwoods Track Club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NorthwoodsTrackClub.