WAUPUN — Recognition for Waupun athletes and those who contribute to the athletic programs will be more than just a pat on the back.
At Monday's school board meeting, the Waupun Area School District school board approved the proposal for an athletic hall of fame at the Waupun Area Junior/Senior High School.
"We want to honor coaches, administration and citizens who serve and support the athletic program," Bill Wucherer, spokesperson for the organizational group, said.
The committee coordinating the effort asked for two contributions from the school district: wall space in the high school and a lifetime pass for the people selected. Athletes are eligible if they graduated at least 10 years ago; coaches are eligible if they have been retired for 10 years and coached or taught in the district and citizens are eligible at any time. According to Athletic Director Jeff Sauer, anybody who made an outstanding contribution to the athletic program can be nominated.
"I think the Waupun community needs something positive to focus on in our schools," Sauer said. "There have been some fantastic student athletes that have gone through our school who deserve some permanent recognition. It's another way we can get the community involved in the schools."
According to Wucherer, some of the details still need to be finalized by the committee. They know that a plaque of some kind will be placed in the athletic hall of fame, but they don't know yet what the plaque will look like. They have nomination forms ready and are hoping to have some submitted by October. Tentatively, the committee wants to choose six recipients the first time and honor them at a sporting event, possibly a basketball game at the end of December.
"We're in good shape for the hall of fame itself," Wucherer said. "We thought this would be good for the school."
The program will be self-supporting. Nominations will be accompanied by a $20 fee and recipients would be asked to supply $10 to support the program. The recipient would then be admitted at all athletic functions for free. Wucherer is hoping to get some help with start-up costs from the athletic booster club.
"The more we promote the school, the better off the community will be," Wucherer said.
For more information or to get a nomination form, contact Sauer at the Waupun Area High School, 920-324-5591.
dharris@capitalnewspapers.com