By Adam Roberts – 6/1/2021
Last Thursday, one of the top-ranking leaders within the WIAA announced his retirement after 12 years in the deputy director position.
Wade Labecki assumed the position in July of 2009 and has been responsible for student-athlete eligibility, interpretation of all association rules, tournament planning, and committee leadership in the sports of football, wrestling, and baseball, as well as the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee. He had most recently had worked with the WIAA Sports Medical Advisory Committee and other health officials to effectively navigate the membership through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labecki also served as a legislator to moved Wisconsin high school sports forward by way of new opportunities and rule changes. He provided guidance and leadership in the development and implementation of the 8-player football tournament, sponsorship and a tournament opportunity for girls wrestling, football-only conference realignment, concussion and football acclimatization policies and protocols, pitch-count limits in baseball, and bringing Wisconsin into compliance with NFHS rules in wrestling.
Labecki will work in the position until the end of August.