Gralla Receives National Recognition for Service to WIAA Membership

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Joan Gralla, a former member of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association office staff, and 14 other leaders in high school activity programs across the country received National Federation of State High School Associations Citations on June 30 at the annual NFHS Summer Meeting. Video

The award honors individuals who have made contributions to the NFHS, state high school associations, athletic director and coaching professions, the officiating avocation and fine arts/performing arts programs. The NFHS Citation is one of the most highly regarded achievements in high school athletics.

Joan Gralla retired in December 2020 after almost 40 years on the WIAA operations staff. Gralla began working at the executive office in 1981. She has had various responsibilities during her career at the WIAA.

One of her most notable responsibilities over the years has been her work with WIAA officials licensing. She oversaw the officials department, which included the staff liaison for the Officials Advisory Committee, as well as leading the efforts in recruiting and retaining licensed officials.

Gralla also served as the staff liaison for the Middle Level Advisory Council, which has the authority to initiate amendments pertaining to rules and regulations for schools affiliated with middle level membership that affects grades 6-8 students. She also supervised the Noncertified Coaches program, which entailed verifying complete and accurate information and determining application approval or denial, and led the coaches education efforts of the executive office.

Among her other membership responsibilities were the compilation and report preparation for school participation records, as well as the accuracy, approval and reporting of out-of-state competition sanctioning requests. In addition, she was responsible for the compilation of school enrollment counts and member school size classification for sports lists, and preparing ballots and compiling results of membership elections.

Additional office responsibilities she performed included obtaining, creating and providing content, advertising and proofing for membership publications, including the WIAA Bulletin, calendar, State Tournament souvenir programs, media releases, and the annual yearbook.

Gralla also processed and prepared State Tournament media credentials, assisted in compiling State Tournament official statistics, maintained the “Games Wanted” listing on the WIAA website, and oversaw the office’s shipping and receiving operation, as well as the scheduling and supervision of the office reception desk.

The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 516 senior high schools and 45 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.