BREAKING: WIAA Board of Control Adds Name, Image, Likeness Rules to Constitution This story will be updated as more information is shared by the WIAA The WIAA amended its constitution today, with changes shown below, along with NEW language in RED. Check back with OnFocus for updates as the WIAA prepares more information on the […]
BREAKING: WIAA Board of Control Adds Name, Image, Likeness Rules to Constitution
This story will be updated as more information is shared by the WIAA
The WIAA amended its constitution today, with changes shown below, along with NEW language in RED.
Check back with OnFocus for updates as the WIAA prepares more information on the NIL changes.
B. Eligibility – Name Image Likeness
2) Signs a contract or agreement for services as a participating athlete. a. A student may be employed (but not self-employed) on a part-time basis as an instructor on the playgrounds, game official, lifeguard, e.g. b. This rule shall not prevent a student from signing 1) an agreement which binds him/her to play only for a particular team or2) an athletic tender with a university or college or 3) a Name, Image or Likeness opportunities as outlined in Article IV Section 1-C
3) Receives compensation or benefit, directly or indirectly, for the use of name, picture, and/or personal appearance, as an athlete because of ability, potential, and/or performance as an athlete. 4) Receives free and/or reduced rates on equipment, apparel, camps/clinics/instruction and competitive opportunities that are not identical for any and all interested students. 5) Is identified as an athlete, provides endorsement as an athlete, or appears as an athlete, in the promotion of a commercial/advertisement and/or profit-making event, item, plan or service. Note: When an athlete has been identified with or without permission and/or awareness resulting in a violation of this rule, the penalty may be reduced once the violation has been rectified. 6) Plays in any contest (school or nonschool) under a name other than his/her own name.
C. An athlete forfeits amateur status by capitalizing on athletic Fame by receiving money, compensation, endorsements or gifts of monetary value in affiliation or connection with activities involving the student’s school team, school, Conference or WIAA(scholarships to institutions of higher learning are specifically exempted.)
1) This provision is not intended to restrict the right of any student to participate in a Name, Image and Likeness(NIL) commercial endorsement provided there is no school team, school, Conference or WIAA affiliation.
2) Prohibited NIL Activities:
a. The Student shall not appear in the uniform of the student’s school and does not utilize the marks, logos, etc. of the school team, school, Conference or WIAA as part of any endorsement.
b. The Student shall not promote activities nor products associated with the following: gaming/gambling; alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cannabis, or related products; banned or illegal substances; adult entertainment products or services; weapons(firearms)
c. The compensation is not contingent on specific athletic performance or achievement(i.e. financial incentives based on points scored)
d. The compensation is not provided by the school or persons association with school as an inducement to attend a particular school(“recruiting”) or to remain enrolled at a particular school.
Note: Definition of Persons Associated with school include, but are not limited to: current or former student/athletes(exception of one’s own parent), booster club members, alumni, spouses or relatives of coaches, teachers and other employees, coaches who become employed by companies or organizations that have donated monetarily, athletic supplies, equipment or apparel to that school.
e. The NIL activities do not interfere with a student-athlete’s academic obligations.
f. A student does not miss athletic practice, competition, travel or other team obligations in order to participate in NIL opportunities
g. A student can not utilize representation or contract an agent. High schools or its employees are not allowed to help facilitate deals for student-athletes.
Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interviewHERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
Editor’s Note: The Courier-Tribune is recognizing athletes from Smithville High School who are already currently playing in college or recently finished up their collegiate careers.… Login to continue reading
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Editor’s Note: The Courier-Tribune is recognizing athletes from Smithville High School who are already currently playing in college or recently finished up their collegiate careers.…
He’s one of the best volleyball players in Pennsylvania. He’s put up eye-popping numbers, some of those digits reminiscent of video-game numbers. He averaged 10 kills a set. Not a match. Just one set. Yet, spend a few minutes with Holy Redeemer’s Josh Rocha, and it’s never about him. Sure, the senior hitter had goals. But […]
He’s one of the best volleyball players in Pennsylvania.
He’s put up eye-popping numbers, some of those digits reminiscent of video-game numbers. He averaged 10 kills a set. Not a match. Just one set.
Yet, spend a few minutes with Holy Redeemer’s Josh Rocha, and it’s never about him.
Sure, the senior hitter had goals. But it wasn’t any kind of individual accolades. Instead, everything was team focused. Especially winning a district title.
“For me, it was about learning to be the best teammate that I could be, and also, just having fun because it was my senior year,” he said.
Rocha accomplished both.
He made memories on the court with his friends, and was able to drape a gold medal around his neck. For his efforts, Rocha is the Citizens’ Voice Boys’ Volleyball Performer of the Year. It’s the second consecutive year he’s been named as the Voice’s top player.
There isn’t much missing from his resume.
He’s the program’s all-time leader in kills.
He helped Holy Redeemer back to the top perch in the District 2 Class 2A volleyball world.
He also guided the Royals into the state quarterfinals.
Rocha’s numbers are unbelievable. He finished with 956 kills, which ranked No. 1 in the country, according to MaxPreps. He added 91 service points, 31 aces, 75 blocks and 125 digs.
The senior sat down with The Voice to talk about his senior year, what it meant to win a district gold medal in his final season, and about his future at Penn State.
Q: You entered this season as the featured hitter at Holy Redeemer, which brings a lot of pressure and attention. Talk about the expectations and the pressure of that spot.
A: For me, the expectations didn’t come with any pressure because I’ve been in this situation before. The past four years, I’ve always been a varsity starter, so I really didn’t feel any type of additional pressure. My coaches, teammates and family, they have always kind of alleviated that pressure. We came into the season expecting more than last year. Although we did lose a lot of players, we really wanted to get that district title, especially myself, because I didn’t get a district title in my first three years. We were really hungry to win, and we came in every day and put the work in.
Q: You did lose a lot of talented players from last year’s team. What was it like at the first practice with a group of newer athletes in the lineup?
A: It was overwhelming at times, but also, every day, I was really hopeful. Each day, we would look better than the day before. It was a constant growth from every single one of those players. I was so just proud of every one of them because they put in the time to get better.
Q: What was the bond like between you and your setter, Jack Wasiakowski?
A: I would say, this year, we were a lot closer. Our connection was great. His location was so good this year, and I am so proud of him. He’s going to do a lot of big things next year. That connection, it’s so important. He would always say that he would just put the ball up there for me to slam it because he trusted me. I think it’s so important to have that level of trust.
Q: You put up some really big numbers this year. One match, you had over 50 kills. Do you ever look back at the stat sheet the next day, and just say to yourself, “Whoa, I just did something pretty special?”
A: Honestly, I would always say to myself that I could do better. I always push for that next level.
Q: What was the feeling like when you finally got that district championship that you were striving for?
A: It was awesome because I was finally holding that gold medal after all these years. I’m just glad that I did it with this team because I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. I didn’t know what to do. I just took a few deep breaths and said to myself that this was really it, and I accomplished a major goal.
Q: How have you grown over the last four years?
A: I learned a lot about myself, actually. It is time-consuming to be a student-athlete, but I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything. It’s something I love doing, and I am glad that the freshman me decided to play volleyball.
Q: Talk about your future. What does the next few months look like?A: I am taking some time. Right now, I am playing volleyball for Prevail and I am going to nationals in Florida. After that, I am going to attend Penn State where I am going to study pre-med and play volleyball.
Q: What was the decision like to attend Penn State to study pre-med?
A: It was a tough decision, but I kind of felt like I always wanted to go to Penn State. I’ve talked with all of my friends that are on that pre-med track and they all love it. Their experiences have also pushed me to go there.
Q: If you would, pass along some words of advice to the underclassmen or someone thinking about playing volleyball at Holy Redeemer.
A: Growth doesn’t happen right away. It’s a long process, especially for myself. These past two years, people have started to see me shine. My freshman and sophomore years, I didn’t get all that glory. It’s about that hard work. If you keep working hard, you are going to get there in no time.
Seven Cowichan schools represented at track and field provincials
The 2025 B.C. High School Sports provincial track and field championships took place in Langley June 5-7 and there were no shortage of athletes representing the Cowichan Valley. Students from Frances Kelsey, Queen Margaret’s School, Ladysmith, Quamichan School, Chemainus Secondary, Brentwood College School,and Shawnigan Lake School all participated and some even brought home medals. Frances Kelsey […]
The 2025 B.C. High School Sports provincial track and field championships took place in Langley June 5-7 and there were no shortage of athletes representing the Cowichan Valley.
Students from Frances Kelsey, Queen Margaret’s School, Ladysmith, Quamichan School, Chemainus Secondary, Brentwood College School,and Shawnigan Lake School all participated and some even brought home medals.
Frances Kelsey
The bronze medallist last year, Kelsey Grade 12 high jumper Nova Wedmann-Kent improved her result to a silver this year in the senior girls category. Wedmann-Kent also ran the senior girls 100m and 200m races but did not qualify for the finals.
Kelsey tenth grader Charlotte Gough finished third in the junior girls 800m preliminaries and fifth overall. She also raced to fifth in the junior girls 1500m preliminaries and went on to place seventh overall — a three spot improvement over last year’s 10th place.
Queen Margaret’s School
Jessica Tshibangu of Queen Margaret’s School placed seventh overall in the junior girls high jump and 12th in the long jump. Schoolmate Cohen Bartfai was ninth in the junior boys long jump after a second-place finish in the Grade 8 division last year.
Grade 12 jumper Mike Chen was 19th in the senior boys triple jump finals while Grade 10 thrower Elsie Jones was 27th in the junior girls shot put.
Ethan Chen made the provincials in the senior boys high jump but did not jump.
Ladysmith Secondary
Four members of the Ladysmith track team made the provincials including William Cram, Skyla Lewis, Lila Jeffries, and Lina Anh Chay.
Cram was first in the junior boys 800m preliminaries and went on to earn the silver medal in the final. Also, after placing third in his preliminary race, Cram was sixth overall in the junior boys 400m race.
Lila Jeffries placed 12th in the junior girls hammer throw event.
Lina Anh Chay was 18th in the junior girls javelin final.
Skyla Lewis was 28th overall in the junior girls 3000m race. She was 18th in the 1500m preliminary and did not advance to the 1500m final.
Brentwood College School
The lone athlete from BCS at this year’s track and field provincials was Ava Heenan. The 400m specialist participated in both the senior girls 400m dash and 400m hurdles. In the hurdles, she placed ninth in the preliminaries, just outside of a spot in the final. In the 400m dash, the Grade 11 athlete placed 21st in the preliminaries and did not advance.
Shawnigan Lake School
Grade 12 thrower Thabisa Mangena-Jellema’s top result was 11th in the senior girls discus. She also participated in the senior girls shot put event, placing 21st overall.
Quamichan School
Tate McGeachy was the lone Quamichan School representative and he placed 16th overall in the Grade 8 boys 400m dash preliminaries, missing the finals.
Chemainus Secondary
Iza Durante represented Chemainus at the provincials and placed 11th in the 400m dash preliminaries, missing the final.
RTL Group has acquired Sky Deutschland (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), for €150m, creating a media business with some 11.5m subscribers. The deal – which is subject to regulatory approvals – combines Sky’s premium sports rights, including Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Premier League and Formula 1, with RTL’s entertainment and news brands across RTL+, free-to-air and pay TV. It […]
RTL Group has acquired Sky Deutschland (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), for €150m, creating a media business with some 11.5m subscribers.
The deal – which is subject to regulatory approvals – combines Sky’s premium sports rights, including Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Premier League and Formula 1, with RTL’s entertainment and news brands across RTL+, free-to-air and pay TV. It also unites the streaming platforms RTL+ and WOW.
RTL Group chief executive Thomas Rabe described the deal as “transformational for RTL Group”.
He said: “It will bring together two of the most powerful entertainment and sports brands in Europe and create a unique video proposition across free TV, pay TV and streaming.
“It will boost our streaming business, with a total of around 11.5 million paying subscribers, further diversify our revenue streams and make us even more attractive for creative talent, rights holders and business partners.”
Rabe said the synergies are estimated to be around €250 million per annum within three years after closing, creating “significant shareholder value”.
He added: “Together, RTL and Sky will be in an even stronger position to invest in people, content and technology in Germany and in Europe to compete with the global tech and streaming players. I want to recognise the outstanding work of the Sky Deutschland team, whose strong performance over recent years has laid the foundation for this next phase.”
Rights deals and strategic content partnerships
At the end of 2023, RTL Deutschland and Sky Deutschland struck a two-year partnership for seven Formula 1 races to be broadcast live on RTL in Germany, alongside one game from the English Premier League per match week on RTL+, and three conference broadcasts of the 2nd Bundesliga on RTL.
As part of the commercial agreement, Sky Deutschland received rights to two Europa League or Europa Conference League games per match week, providing subscribers access to premium live sport every Thursday.
At the time, RTL said “sharing live sport and content is the start of a broader partnership between RTL Deutschland and Sky Deutschland, with the ambition of finding further ways to share content in the future”.
And, at the end of last year, RTL Deutschland secured for the 2025/6 Bundesliga season onwards the exclusive free-to-air TV rights to broadcast the Saturday evening games of the 2. Bundesliga, as well as a highlights rights package for Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga on RTL+.
At the time, RTL Deutschland said its portfolio now includes matches of the German national team, the Uefa Europa League and Uefa Conference League and – in cooperation with Sky Deutschland – three live conference broadcasts of the 2. Bundesliga per season, and a top match from the English Premier League per match week.
According to the agreement, RTL Group will fully acquire Sky’s businesses in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, including customer relationships in Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and South Tyrol on a cash-free and debt-free basis. The purchase price consists of €150 million in cash and a variable consideration linked to RTL Group’s share price performance of up to €377m.
Barny Mills, Sky Deutschland CEO, will continue to lead the Sky Deutschland business until the transaction is completed. Stephan Schmitter will stay in his current role as CEO of RTL Deutschland until closing of the transaction and then lead the combined company. RTL Deutschland will remain headquartered in Cologne and Sky Deutschland in Munich.
Dana Strong, Group CEO at Sky, added: “Sky Deutschland has made significant progress over the past three years, delivering strong operational performance and reaching a record number of customers.
“The business is on track to achieve EBITDA break-even, reflecting the success of our turnaround plan. Combining the strength of our brand with RTL builds on that momentum and opens up even greater opportunities. This deal provides a strong platform for long-term success, and ensures Sky continues to share in the growth of the combined business.”
Four Lion Tracksters named to CSC Academic All-District teams
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CSC Academic All-District Team
COMMERCE – The East Texas A&M University track and field team had four scholar-athletes named to the Academic All-District team, as selected by the College Sports Communicators. On the men’s side, Jonas Gran (Riehen, Switzerland) was selected, […]
COMMERCE – The East Texas A&M University track and field team had four scholar-athletes named to the Academic All-District team, as selected by the College Sports Communicators.
On the men’s side, Jonas Gran (Riehen, Switzerland) was selected, while Romi Griese (Salzkotten, Germany), Veronika Kramarenko (Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine), and Cassandra Rendon (San Antonio – Madison) were honored on the women’s side.
All four East Texas A&M honorees advance to the national ballot. The CSC Academic All-America teams will be released on July 15.
Gran is a biological sciences major and named to the Southland Conference All-Academic team, SLC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, President’s List and earned the silver medal in the decathlon at the outdoor conference championships this year as well.
Griese was named the Southland Women’s Outdoor Student-Athlete of the Year as she also won the discus conference championship this season, while earning SLC All-Academic, SLC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and President’s List honors. She is also a biological sciences major.
Kramarenko won the outdoor high jump crown this spring, the second SLC title of her career, reaching the podium in both the outdoor and indoor high jump this year. She is a health kinesiology & sport studies major, being named to SLC All-Academic team, SLC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and the President’s List as well.
Rendon is a wildlife conservation science major and finished third at the conference championships in the discus this year. She has medaled in the event in each of the past two seasons. Rendon is the current discus school record holder and is also a SLC Commissioner’s Honor Roll and President’s List honoree.
The full CSC Academic All-District team can be found HERE.
