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.
2025 – Janel Batten, Pulaski
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 2025 State Athletic Director of the Year
The 2025 State Athletic Director of the Year is Janel Batten from Pulaski.
Janel Batten – VIDEO – State AD of the Year
The District 4 Athletic Director of the Year is presented to Janel Batten from Pulaski High School.
Janel is an extraordinary leader in education-based athletics who has spent more than 30 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, including the last 11 years as Athletics and Activities Director at Pulaski High School.
Janel holds a Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Secondary Education, and Coaching from the University of Dubuque, a Master’s in Sport Administration from UW–La Crosse, and a Principal License from Viterbo University.
Her leadership has had a transformational impact on Pulaski. As Chair of the Field of Dreams Campaign, she helped raise over $7 million in private funding to create one of the state’s premier athletic complexes—featuring a football/soccer/track stadium, new baseball and softball fields, and ongoing upgrades to the tennis courts and aquatic center.
Janel’s influence reaches far beyond her district. She serves as Co-Chair of the WIAA Calendar and Contact Committee, is the current President and former Secretary of the Fox River Classic Conference, and is a respected voice within WADA and the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association.
Her accolades include induction into the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2022) and Appleton East High School’s Hall of Fame—once as a standout three-sport athlete, and again as a state champion coach.
Janel is known for her student-centered leadership, writing handwritten notes of encouragement to every athlete, coach, and official after each season. She’s a passionate advocate for equity, inclusion, SEL, and Title IX compliance, and a dedicated mentor to new coaches and administrators.
Through every role—educator, mentor, fundraiser, and friend—Janel fosters community, pride, and opportunity.
WADA is proud to present Janel Batten with the District 4 and State Athletic Director of the Year Award!
