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Athletics director reports 7% rise in co‑curricular participation; Burlington awarded girls flag‑football grant
Summary
Director Eric Sulak presented a 2024–25 activities and athletics recap: participation rose roughly 7% (633 of 986 students), multiple state qualifiers across sports and activities, and a newly awarded grant to start girls flag football; the board discussed WIAA membership and program costs.
Eric Sulak, Burlington High School activities and athletics director, delivered a year‑end recap for 2024–25 at the July 14 board meeting, reporting increased student participation, state qualifiers, and new program initiatives.
Sulak said participation increased by about 7 percentage points to 633 of 986 students districtwide (including Fox River and Wisco programs), up from about 57% the previous year. He set department goals earlier in the year to increase participation by 10%, and noted the district’s offerings now include 26 athletics programs and 36 clubs and activities; he said HOSA (health‑care student organization) and a recently added FFA/health‑pathways offerings drew strong interest.
Sulak highlighted competitive results: multiple Southern Lakes Conference champions and conference qualifiers, five conference champions overall with four advancing to state, and individual state qualifiers in dance, bowling, wrestling (including Kate Boyd and others), track and field (Emma Tenhagen, Jenna Weiss) and tennis doubles. He also noted longtime baseball coach Scott Stoudy’s induction into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Looking ahead, Sulak said the district will add boys and girls hockey co‑ops, boys lacrosse (co‑op hosted by Elkhorn), and that the district was awarded a grant from the NFL and the Green Bay Packers to start a girls flag‑football program; for Year 1 it will be largely intramural and linked to the existing powder‑puff interest. He said girls flag football is gaining national traction and is on track as an emerging sport.
Board members asked about causes for the participation increase. Sulak and staff suggested several contributors: new offerings (fall cheer, girls wrestling, HOSA, Educators Rising), improved accuracy in Skyward enrollment data (Becky Saginaw said Skyward data is “very, very accurate for the first time ever”), and active outreach at open houses. Sulak and board members discussed WIAA membership and the association’s role in scheduling, officials, tournament logistics and rules; Sulak said WIAA staff had been supportive during his first year in the role.
Sulak said goals for next year include continuing to grow participation, supporting student academic performance among co‑curricular participants, expanding leadership development for coaches and advisers, and adding clubs such as robotics and space club. He invited board questions and thanked coaches and advisors who attended the meeting.
