GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Representative John Nygren wants the WIAA to be subject to the state’s open records and meetings laws.
The Marinette Republican introduced a bill Wednesday, similar to another that was introduced in 2009 by a Democrat. That measure did not pass.
Nygren calls the controversy about the WIAA’s sportsmanship rules an embarrassment to Wisconsin.”Words that are tossed around on the street are like arrogant and out of touch”.
The WIAA has received nationwide criticism since its December email reminding schools that student sections shouldn’t be chanting things like ‘airball’ and ‘fundamentals’. Nygren says the criticism may have been avoided if the WIAA was subject to open meetings laws.”This would actually be an improvement and make the WIAA better because it’s always good to know someone is watching”.
WIAA Executive Director Dave Anderson has said the sportsmanship rules have been in place since 2005 and have been widely available to the public.”School athletic directors have used the information, made it known, and shared that information with students and member schools for a lot of years. Nothing is secret about it”.
Anderson is concerned the motivation for this action comes as a result of misinformation and inaccurate information.
Nygren and WIAA officials plan to meet today (Thursday).
Nygren hopes his bill can be taken up either before the legislative session ends in March or sometime next session.
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