Just over twelve years ago, Bergler and I began what we feel has become one of the finest high school sports websites in the United States. Bergler's vision was one of providing coverage for a sport that he loved and felt wasn't receiving enough press in this great state.

For many years, George Baumann's High School Hockey Report was the gold standard for high school sports in the Badger State. Considering the era (1980s-90s), he was light-years ahead of any high school sports reporting. George would call coaches Sunday evening to feel the pulse of the sport. Rumors had it that he was not happy until he talked to every coach--and knowing him, that would not surprise me.

He sold the business in the late 90s and things were just never the same.

Fast forward to November 2001, and that's where we come in. The original version of the website was downright primitive compared to today, but it did what we wanted it to: provide scores, standings, and news to a hockey-hungry public that wanted hockey news.

We still do that, and while we aren't greedy, we are looking for more improvement.

This year we added Mollie Cook to our staff and those of you that have seen her work know that she is a great addition to our crew. She provided great coverage at the Eau Claire Red Flint tournament (along with Bergler) and will help us out with our coverage of western Wisconsin hockey.

Here's where we would like to ask your help.

Coaches, we would like to ask you to score games using the 'NGIN Live' scoring instead of just inputting stat numbers into the 'Edit Stats' method of scoring games. The NGIN Live method automatically generates all the numbers and spits out a comprehensive sheet that resembles the hockey score sheet (Not so much in looks as much as complete info).

The procedure is for the home team to enter the stats for BOTH teams. NGIN Live scoring insures that the numbers are complete for both squads.

We have seen at least three instances this year of coaches using 'edit stats' and only inputting their own numbers. Not really fair and not really accurate.

And some people think it is unfair that the same teams have game summaries always posted on WiPH. That is because those teams have somebody that posts stories for their team's games. I wish I could post a story for every game, but we can't get to them all. If you are watching a game, take some notes (times of goals and assists, saves for all goalies, etc.), write up a few paragraph summary and blast it off to us.

There is an inner Rick Reilly in all of us (look it up if you don't know who that is), so step up and give your team some love. If you are willing to write it, we are willing to post it--with a little editing if needed.

Bottom line, we have a good thing going--you can help make it even better.

Email me at trasher@wctc.net if you have any questions. 

Thank you for being a friend!