State Athletic Director of the Year Award
The State Athletic Director of the Year is chosen from the seven winners of the District Athletic Directors of the Year. The winner is chosen by the WADA Board and is named at the November Conference.
2024 – Jeff Behrens, CMAA, Pewaukee
2023 – Jeff Dorschner, CMAA, Crivitz
2022 – Bryan Yager, CAA, Reedsburg
2021 – Mel Dow, CMAA, Stoughton & Todd Sobrilsky, CMAA, Waukesha South
2020 – Jeff Sitz, CMAA, Wisconsin Lutheran
2019 – John Frizzell, CMAA, Wisconsin Rapids
2018 – Nathan DeLany, CAA, Marshfield
2017 – Peggy Seegers-Braun, CMAA, Divine Savior Holy Angels
2016 – Mark Kryka, CAA, Verona
2015 – Jim McClowry, CMAA, Appleton West2014 – Renee Chapek, Amery
2013 – Jay Hammes, CMAA, Racine
2012 – Todd Sobrilsky, CMAA, Elmbrook-Brookfield Central
2011 – Scott Lindgren, CMAA, Kenosha Unified Schools
2010 – Brad Nemec, CAA Somerset
2009 – Joe Beran, CAA, La Crosse Central
2008 – Sandy Freres, CMAA, The Prairie School
2007 – Kevin Knudson, Barneveld
2006 – Peter Miller, Merrill
2005 – Gary Kolpin, CAA, Madison Memorial
2004 – Don Tolkacz, CAA, Pulaski
2003 – Charles Enders, Laona
2002 – Jack Overgaard, D.C. Everest
2001 – Jim Campbell, Shell Lake
2000 – Mike Strebel, Peshtigo
1999 – Steve Balda, Reedsburg
1998 – Paul Engen, Appleton North
1997 – Janis Doleschal, Milwaukee Public Schools
1996 – Bob Coy, Mosinee & Brad Nemec, Somerset
1995 – Jack Cepek, Wisconsin Rapids
1994 – Clarence “Cabby” Wild, Plymouth
1993 – Marc Nelson, Westby
1992 – Ron Wunrow, River Falls
1991 – Gary Kolpin, CAA, Madison Memorial
1990 – John Leadholm, Osseo-Fairchild & Jack Charlesworth, Brookfield
1989 – Ron Casadant, Sturgeon Bay
1988 – Fred Bland, Milwaukee Rufus King
1987 – Dick Peregrine, Homestead
1986 – Jerry Anstett, Oak Creek
1985 – William Fischer, Tomahawk
1984 – Tom Janssen, Wauwatosa
1983 – Andy Anderson, Stevens Point
1982 – Wallace “Blackie” Zimmerman, Delavan-Darien
1981 – Harris Grabow, Watertown
1980 – Jim Perela, Barron
1979 – Nellie Nelson, West Bend
1978 – Dave Balmer, Arrowhead
1977 – Virgil Licht, Oconomowoc
1976 – Harold Schumerth, Oshkosh West
WADA 2024 State Athletic Director of the Year
The 2024 State Athletic Director of the Year is Jeff Behrens, CMAA from Pewaukee.
Jeff Behrens, CMAA
Pewaukee High School
Education
High School – Whitewater High School (1994)
Football, Wrestling, Baseball
College – UW-Whitewater (2000)
Played Baseball (‘94-‘96)
Wrestled (‘98)
– Cardinal Stritch – Master’s degree in Educational Leadership
Professional
Whitewater High School (1997-2003)
Coached football, wrestling, and baseball from 1997-2003
District 6 – Assistant Coach of the Year (Baseball – 2003)
Horicon High School (2003-2010)
High School Phy Ed teacher
Coaching
Head wrestling coach
2009 conference champions (1st conference championship in school history)
8 state qualifiers
1 match away from team state
Assistant baseball Coach
Assistant football coach
District 6 – Coach of the Year (Wrestling – 2005 & 2009)
Other duties/committees
PEP Grant Coordinator
Wrote and managed a $600,000 grant for physical education
Physical Education Department Chair
Strategic Planning Committee
Whitewater (2010-2018)
Athletic/Activities Director (high school & middle school)
Created Whitewater Student-Athlete Leadership Program
Implemented an “all-sport” strength & conditioning program
Took a lead role in several facility upgrades including tennis court resurfacing, soccer, baseball and softball field upgrades, gym floor resurfacing, and a new weight room
Led professional development for coaches
Girls Basketball State title – 2015
Phy Ed Teacher & Health Teacher
Also taught PE classes and health classes in addition to being AD
PEP Grant Coordinator
Wrote and managed a $780,000 grant for physical education
Facilities Manager
WIAA Award of Excellence – 2017
Pewaukee (2018-present)
Athletic/Activities Director
Implemented Pewaukee Student-Athlete Leadership Group
Expanded sport offerings to include Boys Volleyball, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse
Created a position for a program-wide Strength & Performance Coach
Created Athletic Core Principles and induced throughout the athletic department and aligned them with our district’s Graduate Profile
Elected to get CDL to assist with athletic trips
Completed a $1.2M turf softball field project
Led numerous professional development initiatives for coaches
5 State Championships, 15 teams qualifying for state across 7 different programs (football, boys basketball, girls basketball, boys cross country, girls cross country, baseball, girls volleyball)
Service & Awards
WADA
WADA State LTI & Certification Coordinator (2021-present)
WADA Presenter – several times
WADA Presider – several times
Olsen/Teff Professional Development Award (2024)
District 6 – Athletic Director of the Year (2024)
NIAAA
QPA Award – Exemplary Level (2024) – 1st school in Wisconsin
Contributing author for LTC 603
QPA Reviewer
QPA Cohort (2023-24)
Leadership Cohort (2024-25)
NADC Presenter – 2021, 2023, 2024
WIAA
WIAA Award of Excellence – 2017, 2020, 2023
WIAA Licensed official – Wrestling & Baseball
Woodland Conference
Woodland Conference Vice-President (2023-present)
Rock Valley Conference
Rock Valley Conference President
Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association (2007-2016)
Served as Awards & Hall of Fame Chairman
District 6 – Coach of the Year (2005 & 2009)
Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association
District 6 – Assistant Coach of the Year (2003)
Pewaukee Youth Baseball
Youth Baseball Coach
WADA is proud to present Jeff Behrens, CMAA with the District 7 and State Athletic Director of the Year Award!
