Neenah High School was the only school to earn multiple WIAA state tournament sportsmanship awards during 2015-16, earning the honor in girls and boys tennis.
The girls tennis team won its first WIAA state championship last fall and earned its second sportsmanship award in the process, having also won in 2000. The boys tennis team finished state runner-up and won its third sportsmanship award with other honors coming in 2002 and 2006. Neenah has now won the state tournament sportsmanship award nine times overall. Other winners were boys basketball in 1969, 1975 and 1988, and girls soccer in 2001.
The tennis teams received their awards at halftime of the Sept. 2 football game against Marshfield. Neenah's girls team is coached by Kelly Van Handel and the boys coach is Tom Berven.
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.
Rural Mutual Insurance has sponsored the Sportsmanship Award program for more than 50 years. The selection process includes evaluations from contest officials, tournament management, as well as, security personnel, crowd control and ushers, and WIAA staff members.
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