I rubbed my eyes, and I cleaned my glasses. It was still there as I read it again. “I would also like to meet you at some point soon and gain your insight regarding all things hockey.” That is the reply I received from the WIAA’s new hockey director Jake Beschta, when I inquired about the current contract with Legacy20 Arena and expressed my interest in interviewing him.
It’s been a long and winding road from my first letter to the WIAA’s Matt Otte back in the late seventies. There was no such invitation back then. Over the years, the hockey liaisons have been Don Hermann, Dave Anderson, Tom Shafranski and perhaps some I missed. Most recently, in 2022 LaVar Ridgeway replaced Shafranski and provided the hockey coaches with a breath of fresh air. Then Tom unexpectedly returned, then quickly retired. There was a collective exhale of relief.
There is a contentious history between the WIAA and those who coach, play and support hockey. The past relationship has too often been confrontational and the Hockey Coaches Advisory Committee, which I was a part of for more than a decade, has felt as if their input fell on deaf ears. Under Shafranski’s watch things escalated into an untenable situation.
Ridgeway began a course correction that included a calm demeanor and willingness to really listen to the coaches. All indications are that Beschta plans to continue that path. “It’s a pretty basic bar I think in my mind for my role, to reach out and communicate and collaborate,” said Beschta, “based on my desire to make informed decisions in support of hockey.”
A glance at Beschta’s resume will send an immediate red flag for many because his background does not include hockey. Hiring a “hockey guy” has long been a desire of the coaches’ association. I would suggest that Beschta, on the surface, appears different in his hunger to learn as much about the game and issues facing hockey. He is actively seeking people to gain perspective and valuable insight. When we communicated to set up our meeting he offered, “I want to hear your perspective and your input being somebody who has a rich understanding of ice hockey and the history and culture here in the state. I want to get your input for my purposes and learning. I'm going to be asking you just as many questions as you're giving me. It's my priority to really take advantage of the experts in the sport.” He certainly would get an argument from some that I am an expert in the sport, but I appreciated the compliment none-the-less.
And when we met, he delivered on that statement. At times it did feel as if I was the one being interviewed. It was a far cry from the days when we would be told that certain subjects, like the DQ rule or 8th graders being eligible for high school, could not be discussed. It is clear that he has made it a priority to erase the bad taste of the past by connecting with the coaches. “I realized that building relationships is key and like any job or anything in life trust is earned.”
I asked Beschta, who is also a master level WIAA-licensed basketball official, about whether he viewed his job as managing or improving WIAA hockey. “Always looking for growth and opportunity. So, it's two things. It’s consistent networking, and collaboration with leaders in the sport throughout the state. And whether that's school administration that has the background, or coaches, officials, or youth associations; It is as many people as I can talk to and continue to develop my understanding, because my background is not hockey. I realize that those conversations are going to be wanted and are necessary for our success.”
There seems to be a true desire to expand his knowledge of the game beyond just the WIAA footprint. The vibe he gives off isn’t a stuffed suit comfortable with his current position, but someone hungry to make a meaningful impact. He framed it as, “Great opportunity to still have a big impact on education-based athletics, not just on a local level, but in statewide conversations.”
Beschta, a graduate of Lena High School, current enrollment 124, was a three-sport athlete in his graduating class of forty-eight. He admitted, “When you are in a school that small, athletic programs only survive through multi-sport athletes.”
He originally entered college at Lawrence University with the idea of pursuing a law degree. He played two years of football before his plans changed, “I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but the path changed to education,” he recalled. The new direction included a transfer to UW-Stevens Point.
He began his education career in the Coleman School District as a math and language arts teacher. Later he moved on and spent three years as the athletic director and associate principal at Sheboygan Falls High School and then Beschta took the principal position at Oconto Falls High School. Along the way he served as football junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach, girls’ basketball junior varsity head and varsity assistant coach and as a high school track & field coach. Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “His wide range of experiences as athletic director, coach, licensed official and as a high school principal bring a unique perspective to our staff in serving the membership.”
Our two-hour conversation covered many subjects. As the current co-chair of the WIAA Calendar and Contact Ad-Hoc Committee we discussed the changing summer contact regulations. The unlimited contact, or “increased opportunities” as Jake described it are a decision schools can make locally. The concern centered on, “Making certain that they (schools) are balancing their schedule and calendar in the summer, where they're getting the work that they want to have, but it's not overwhelming as well, with the idea that they're all optional,” Beschta explained. “Let's try to find a schedule that works, right?” Schools can still choose to regulate their teams to use only the former five contact days. In hockey the biggest concern comes down to the availability and cost of ice facilities. Unlike a gym or soccer field, not all communities have summer ice available and affordable.
One constant is that all teams must take a mandatory break over the 4th of July holiday. “We wanted to prioritize making certain that families have that holiday week where they could go do other things,” said Beschta.
The state tournament was discussed, and he confirmed that the contract with Legacy20 Arena in Middleton ends after this March. He indicated that he will be touring potential venues including a visit to the new Donald and Patricia Schneider Family Arena connected to Cornerstone Arena in the Ashwaubenon Sports Complex. With a seating capacity of 3,000 it would seem to be a viable option. Interestingly, Beschta related that several facilities have told the WIAA that they are not interested in hosting the WIAA tournament. Rinks that host NCAA programs often can’t commit to the first weekend in March, because their own teams are in playoff mode at the time.
I asked about the “set in stone” first weekend in March that has always been an off-limits discussion. For as long as I can remember we have been told that weekend cannot change, but I have never been given a reason. Beschta admitted he did not have an answer, but said his committee will be diving into season lengths and game maximums at the Athletic Directors convention in November. I reminded him that the hockey season is one week shorter than the basketball season. While he hasn’t been on the job long enough to give an answer, he did offer, “You give me three and a half, four months from now, and I'll be able to give you a lot more feedback on those specific conversations.”
If I had a glass of water handy, I would have thrown it in my face; I am just not accustomed to those kinds of responses from the inhabitants of 5516 Vern Holmes Drive in Stevens Point. I understand the proof that things are going to actually be different, lies in the future, but I am very optimistic.
We delved into the boy’s state tournament riddle and the logic behind why we have been told that a three division, twelve team tournament could happen, but a two division twelve team tournament isn’t possible. He wasn’t aware of the details of this, but I assured him that the Coaches Advisory Committee had been told as much. I could be wrong, but I think the consensus is for an eight team D1 and a four team D2 tournament. Breaking eighty-five teams in three divisions seems unnecessary and an unwanted watering down of the boy’s game.
When I broached the subject of co-op programs Beschta admitted, “Yeah, that's been something that's been brought to me pretty consistently.” It is the elephant in the room, and it isn’t just hockey that is affected. “This is something that I continue to research over time, and I think a year from now if we have this conversation, I can dive in far more detail. But just how do we find ways to promote? If we have a school program that maybe is right on the bubble or verge of where they could potentially support themselves or just a small co-op versus something that expands to be very large. How do we find ways to promote taking that path versus these huge coops? And then, how can we potentially encourage schools that think they have the opportunity to stand alone, then let's try to find ways to make certain that happens.”
The state’s lacrosse coaches have developed a model that is currently being studied. The co-op discussion as it relates to hockey once again has the facility monkey-wrench thrown in that most other sports do not have to consider. Beschta agreed that facilities are indeed a big piece of the hockey puzzle when it comes to splitting co-op programs.
As Halloween approaches, there appears to be hope that a collaboration between the WIAA and the Hockey Coaches Advisory Committee will be a treat and not a trick. First impressions are important in life and Jake Beschta doesn’t appear to be hiding behind any bureaucratic mask. While Beschta and his predecessor LaVar Ridgeway don’t wear proton packs on their back, they may just prove to be the modern-day Ghostbusters of the WIAA ghosts of hockey past.
“We know that change is a multi-level process through our membership,” Beschta explained. “But any time there's something that a group feels is a priority going forward, whether it be coaches' advisory beginning that work, and then extending to the different advisory groups and the membership; In my role, I'm an advocate and someone who will work to support their efforts and vision going forward. And really promoting the game.”
He said it, “promoting the game”… if he can make that a reality, then the WIAA may have finally found the guy who can move high school hockey forward in Wisconsin.
Hockey Advisory Committee
B - Tony Navarre, Homestead
B - Raja Aylsworth, Arrowhead
G - Doug Trentor, Superior
B - Michael (MJ) Laggis, Rhinelander
G - Matt Szypura, Hudson, Coaches Assn Rep
B - Brian Brandt, Wausau West, Coaches Assn Rep
