|
RHS-ANT Girls Hockey
|
RHS-Antigo Girls Hockey
Resource Center |
|
|
|
|
By Jeremy Mayo
RHINELANDER - Rhinelander/Antigo Girls Hockey Coach Wil Losch will be stepping down from that position.
Losch turned in his letter of resignation on Monday and cited the need to spend more time with his family and his upcoming run at the Wisconsin 34th Assembly District seat currently held by Republican Dan Meyer as reasons for the decision.
He informed the parents of the team of his decision in an email Monday afternoon.
“I want to thank the parents and the girls for their support,” Losch told HodagSports.com. “This program would not be what it is without them. I have enjoyed coaching these young ladies over the last four years.”
HodagSports.com has obtained a copy of the given to Rhinelander High School Adminstration. Losch says that, “My kids are getting older and it is time that I teach them more about other activities such as cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. I also need to be there for lessons in reading, math and more. This is difficult during the long winter co-curricular season.”
Losch is running as a Libertarian in this November's election, which also includes Democrat Merlin Van Buren, a long time volunteer in the Rhinelander soccer program.
Trying to reform the State's spending formula is a top priority for Losch, who has seen first hand the stress of budget shortfalls in the Rhinelander School District because of dwindling State aid.
“Fixing a broken, unfair, and unconstitutional school funding formula is the single greatest local issue that motivated my run,” Losch stated in his letter to the school. “Unfair state funding should not be a reason to eliminate any co-curricular. Greater incentives need to be put forward to get more students involved. I’m looking to work for the betterment of many teams now, not just the Northern Edge.”
Should Losch be elected, his inauguration would take place in the middle of the hockey season. “It would not be fair to the team, parents, and an incoming coach, to resign at that point,” he said.
While disappointed with what it means for the Girls Hockey program, RHS Activities Director Charlie LaHam understands where Losch is coming from. He commended him for his work with the team during its formational years and the skill set he brought as their coach.
“Wil worked well with the girls,” LaHam told HodagSports.com. “He knows hockey and he knew how to deal with the players in both a firm way and a understanding manner. That's unique. That's why I was comfortable with him in that position.”
Now the search for a new coaching staff begins in earnest. Multiple sources say Bill Berg, the assistant coach for the Edge last season, is not a candidate for the job as he plans to take a different coaching position with the Antigo Youth Hockey Association this winter.
“That leaves no continuity in the program,” says LaHam. “We've got to find someone who is willing to travel, given the co-op situation.”
Losch has been the only head coach in Rhinelander High School Girls Hockey history, leading the program, which co-oped with Antigo prior to the 2009-10. His teams compiled a combined record of 24-56-2 with one postseason win. The Edge went 8-16 this season, setting a school record for most wins in a season.
This is the second time that Losch has stepped down from the program. He also stepped down in April 2008, citing family reasons, but reconsidered and was reappointed as coach in July of that same year.
|
Sommers' Senior Swan Song
Johanna Sommers stares down the ice at her opponents on Saturday at the Wisconsin Girls High School Junior and Senior Class All-Star Event in Eagle River. Sommers could be lacing up the skates for the
|
Sommers, Kloes Named Honorable Mention All-State
Northern Edge forward Nikki Kloes (left) and goalie Johanna Sommers (right) were in Madison on Thursday being honored as part of the 2009-10 WHCA's All-State Team (Submitted photo).
MADISON – N
|
Power Plays End Edge's Season
MARSHFIELD – When the Marshfield Tigers had an opportunity, they took advantage of it. They were only on the power play three times in Thursday’s WIAA Girls Hockey Regional Final against the Northern
|
|
Back to Previous Page |
|
