“It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.”
Sports journalist Grantland Rice first said this famous quote in 1908, but it’s still relevant today. Good sportsmanship stems from how the team, school, and fans treat the athletes, coaches, and officials before, during, and after a tournament. We believe good sportsmanship makes the athletes true champions, which is why we’ve sponsored the WIAA Rural Mutual Sportsmanship Award for over 55 years.
We’re happy to congratulate the Kimberly High School Boys Volleyball Team on earning the Sportsmanship Award for the 2023-2024 season! When asked what this award meant to him as a coach, to the team, and the community, Head Coach Matthew Seidl said:
“I want our program and community represented well no matter what stage or arena we are in. This award is one that I will cherish and is one that I’m most proud of receiving over the many years of our program. The team did a fantastic job of displaying enthusiasm and positive energy throughout the tournament.
The Kimberly community loves our sports, and they have been amazing in supporting the Boys Volleyball team. The matches are often packed with students and fans, which is very exciting for our players. We know how lucky we are to be one of the few schools in the state that offers boys volleyball.”
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, which is why it’s important to start teaching children about sportsmanship while they’re young. Good sportsmanship can help children develop values that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Coach Seidl says his team discusses and practices good sportsmanship before, during, and after matches. “We talk a lot about making good choices on and off the volleyball court. We strive to have our athletes and coaches be good people. We’re not perfect and make mistakes, but that’s okay. We want to learn from those.
High school sports are more than just winning, losing, or learning how to play the game. They’re meant to teach student-athletes teamwork, leadership, respect, and of course, sportsmanship. Hopefully, our athletes learn, grow, and become better people.”
Coach Seidl has been coaching at Kimberly High School for 11 years. When asked his favorite part of coaching and favorite memory from this season, he said: “My favorite part of coaching is meeting and being around amazing people. Kimberly is a special place, and I would not be coaching if I wasn’t surrounded by incredible coaches, student-athletes, parents, administrators, and a community that loves the sport of volleyball. My favorite memory this season was seeing how much our players really grew up throughout the season and seeing the joy they displayed after many exciting matches, especially after qualifying for the state tournament on our home court.
Congratulations again on a great season and winning the WIAA/Rural Mutual Sportsmanship Award!
