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Jim Coburn, 73, Whitewater, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Fort Memorial Hospital.

James A. Coburn, age 73 of Whitewater, passed away from natural causes on February 7, 2018, at Ft. Atkinson Hospital surrounded by loving family.

Jim was born December 29, 1944, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin to Deane and Thusnelda (Kraeft) Coburn. Growing up in Whitewater as the youngest of three children, he was indulged and tolerated by his adoring parents and big sisters as he played basketball, performed barbershop quartet, and rode his motorcycle in the local quarry.

At St. Olaf College, Jim met Virginia (Ginny) Hanson. They married on June 24, 1967, after Jim graduated but before he could follow through on his plan of rafting down the Mississippi River. Jim and Ginny returned to his hometown, where he worked as a social worker for two years before joining the Coburn Company. His father and uncle quickly entrusted him with the company, and he devoted himself to growing it from a small mail-order dairy supply business to a worldwide distributor of dairy equipment and farm supplies.

As a boss, Jim was casual and approachable. He respected and supported his employees and was always available, using his social work training and listening skills to help whenever he could. He remained active in the company even after his sons assumed management, giving advice and opening the company mail until the day he died.

Jim loved Whitewater, serving on the City Council and Plan Commission for several years and, more recently, the Whitewater Community Foundation. He exemplified a caring community member with a global perspective. He loved to travel, combining business with family adventures all over the world. His favorite destinations included Baden Baden, Leipzig, and Puerto Rico, but wherever he went, his priorities were always music, fantastic food, and friends.

Jim also loved getting up early, giving gifts, Bach cantatas, public schools, Labrador retrievers, asking questions, trout fishing, exploring back roads, Trading Places (the movie), grilling by the pool, Friday night fish fry, sticky toffee pudding, Fiestaware and train rides, but most of all he loved his family. His proudest accomplishment was his seven grandchildren, who would always echo back his favorite parting words: “Peace, harmony, and the American way.”

Jim is survived by his wife, Ginny; son Thayer (Anne) Coburn; daughter Cara (Alex) Faris; son Joe (Jess) Coburn; grandchildren Aidan, Olive, Kate, Nola, and Langdon Coburn and Corinne and Odell Faris; sisters Karen (Joe Svec) Coburn and Nancy (Jerold) Lenz; niece Kirsten (Houkom) Hafner; nephews Joel Houkom and Sheldon Lenz; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Service will be held Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 3 PM at First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater, followed by a 5 PM reception at the Hamilton Room at the UW-Whitewater University Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Whitewater Community Foundation.

The Nitardy Funeral Home, Whitewater, WI is assisting the family. www.nitardyfuneralhome.com

Regional champion UW-Whitewater economics team meets with UW Regents

An elite team of economics students from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater joined Chancellor Beverly Kopper at the UW System Board of Regents meeting in Madison on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, following their national finish in the College Fed Challenge.

The students are members of the team that competed against some of the world’s most prestigious universities at the 14th Annual College Federal Reserve Challenge in Washington, D.C., in December. UW-Whitewater is the first-ever Wisconsin university to advance to this national event after defeating Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, and Marquette University at the competition held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in order to become regional champions.

Advancing to the national event, the UW-Whitewater team competed in finals held at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C. This event served as the capstone to five district competitions held around the country, and UW-Whitewater competed against regional winners Harvard University, Pace University, Princeton University and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Pace University took first place in the national competition, which encourages students to learn about the U.S. economy, monetary policymaking, and the role of the Federal Reserve System. Harvard University took second place, and UW-Whitewater joined Princeton University and Virginia Commonwealth University in receiving honorable mentions.

The team is comprised of the following students; Alejandro Esquirel (left), Alexandre Vieira, Mark Ellis, Ronald Tittle, Taylor Griffith (center). (UW-Whitewater photo/Heather Browning)

Managed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the College Fed Challenge is an academic competition designed to bring real-world economics into the classroom. Teams analyze economic and financial conditions and make a recommendation for monetary policy. They are scored based on a 15-minute presentation and a 15-minute question-and-answer session with judges.

 

The UW-Whitewater Fed Challenge team met with the Research, Economic Development, and Innovation Committee on the UW-Madison campus as part of the Board of Regents February meeting. Attending were Fed Challenge team members Mark Ellis of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Alejandro Esquivel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Taylor Griffith of Lake Elsinore, California, Ronald Tittle of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and Alexandre Vieira of Brookfield, Wisconsin, along with non-presenting team members Casey Russell of Belleville, Wisconsin, Alujjage Pasan Samaranayake of Gonapola Junction, Sri Lanka, Sean Spangard of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and faculty members Yamin Ahmad, Stuart Glosser (emeritus), Nick Guo, and Eylem Ersal, who serve as team coaches.

***Updated Time*** Whitewater Girls Basketball and Chili Fundraiser

Due to expected inclement weather later this evening, tonight’s Whitewater girls basketball game and concurrent WHS Student Council chili dinner have been moved to earlier in the evening.

The JV game will start at 5:00 PM, with the Varsity to follow immediately after.

The WHS Student Council chili dinner will now be served from 5:00 PM- 6:30 PM.

The League of Women Voters Invites You to League Fundamentals: Get to Know Your League, A-Z

 

On Thursday, February 15 the public is invited to a program about the fundamentals of the League to be held in the Council Chambers, Whitewater at 7 PM.

From the League of Women Voters:

Some of the things you will learn are what the League does and how they do it.  Whether you are a long-term member, a relatively new member or just want to learn more about the League, a 98-year old institution, you’ll be sure to learn something interesting during this hour-long presentation.  For example, did you know that the League is organized to parallel the three levels of government:  local, state and national?  That soon after the League’s founding, the decision was made to take positions on issues, but neither support nor oppose any political party or candidate for public office?  That men are welcome and encouraged to join?

All across the nation and in Wisconsin, people are joining the League of Women Voters.  Many are inspired to bring about positive change in America.  This is an exciting time to be a member of the League of Women Voters.  Come and see what it’s all about.

UW-Whitewater Basketball Recap

Photos by Peter Mischka, Courtesy of Bob Mischka.

Men’s Basketball: No. 21 UW-Oshkosh 69, No. 19 UW-Whitewater 67

The No. 19 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s basketball team fell to No. 21 UW-Oshkosh, 69-67, in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference contest Wednesday night.

With 17 seconds remaining in play and down one, the Warhawks had possession for a chance to take the lead.  After a timeout with seven seconds left, the Warhawks got a shot off but missed the basket and the Titans got the rebound to hold the lead and get the victory.

Senior guard Andre Brown led the UW-Whitewater with a career-high 28 points and six rebounds in the matchup.  Junior guard David Sachs tallied 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

For complete story at UWWSports.com, 

Women’s Basketball: No. 17 UW-Whitewater 72, No. 18 UW-Oshkosh 60

The No. 17 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team maintained sole possession of first place in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings Wednesday night with a 72-60 triumph at No. 19 UW-Oshkosh.

Five players scored in double figures for the Warhawks (19-3 overall, 9-2 WIAC), who committed only 10 turnovers while forcing 20 on the other end. The team shot 44.6 percent from the floor and 79.2 percent (19-of-24) from the free-throw line in the contest.

Senior guard Brooke Trewyn led the Warhawks with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a career-high seven steals. Senior guard Malia Smith tallied 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, and junior forward Sarah Schumacher collected 12 points.

For complete story at UWWSports.com, 

Governor Walker proclaims Feb. 7 UW-Whitewater Rugby Day

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, center, holds a rugby ball as he poses for a photo with the national champion UW-Whitewater rugby team, their coaches, legislators, and Chancellor Beverly Kopper. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

In honor of the team’s sustained record of success, Governor Scott Walker proclaimed Feb. 7, 2018, as University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Rugby Day.

The proclamation ceremony took place Wednesday in the east wing of the state Capitol in Madison. Warhawk student-athletes, coaches and family members were in attendance.

State Senator Steve Nass and Representative Cody Horlacher, both UW-Whitewater alumni, joined the governor in lauding the Warhawks and presented them with a legislative citation.

UW-Whitewater’s men’s rugby team is a club sports program that plays at the Division II level. Since 2011, the team has garnered four national championships and three national runners-up finishes.

The Warhawks play two seasons each year — one in the fall (USA Rugby Division II), and one in the spring (Division II College 7s). 2017 was an unprecedented year, with UW-Whitewater becoming the only school in history to win both national championships in one calendar year.

Jimmy DuVal claims 3rd RVC title, Tyler Sheffield wins 1st

Story by John J. Schimming

On Saturday, the Whippet Wrestling team traveled to Jefferson to take part in the Rock Valley Conference Tournament to close out the regular season. This season the conference has some very strong individuals in every weight class which made for some really good wrestling for the fans. Upon completion of the day, the Whippets found themselves in 3rd place as a team behind champion Evansville and runner-up East Troy. Individually, the Whippets had 6 wrestlers finish in the top three of their weight class.

Leading the way for the Whippets was Jimmy DuVal who claimed is his third RVC title in as many years of competing in the tournament. He started the day off with a bye, followed by a pin and closed out the day with a decision 6-2 in the finals. DuVal wrestled very well the entire day, taking one match at a time, and not concerned about the possibility of winning a 3rd title.

Following Duval at 195 was Tyler Sheffield who claimed his first RVC title. Tyler also started with a bye then followed with a pin to reach the finals. In the finals, Tyler defeated his opponent 11-5 in a very well wrestled match doing well in all phases of the match.

The Gamble brothers were able to reach the championship matches but found themselves just short of the title. Tyler Gamble had a quick first-period pin to reach the finals then started off strong against a very tough opponent from East Troy. Unfortunately, the opponent was able to take over and defeated Tyler for his second straight runner-up finish at conference. Cody Gamble started off the day with a hard-fought first-round win. In the semi-finals, he faced the number one seed who had pinned him earlier in the year. Cody came out and got two takedowns directly to his opponents back to build a lead and went on to win 10-6 to reach the finals. In the finals, Cody lost to his East Troy opponent putting him in second place.

Finishing third for the Whippets was Aldo Soto and Arturo Franco. Both of the boys lost tough semi-final matches, Soto 3-2 and Franco 3-1 in overtime. Franco had a great day after that defeating two young men who had defeated him earlier in the season.

The Whippets are next in action this coming Saturday when they travel to East Troy to compete in the regional tournament. The top two competitors from this tournament advance to the next round. Wrestling begins at 10:00 AM.

Whippet Gymnasts Compete in Triangular Meet

Sierra Brunner competes in the bars in a previous meet.

Story by Kelsea Fischer.  File photo provided by Bob Mischka.

The Whippets competed in a triangular meet on Tuesday evening against Elkhorn and Waterford. Leading the Whippets on the vault in the varsity competition was junior Autumn Lesar with a score of 7.85. Right behind her was teammate Marianna Cano with a score of 7.6. Junior Sierra Brunner led the whippets on the uneven bars with a score of 6.825 followed by teammate Nicole Tomomitsu with a score of 6.75. Lesar also led the team on the balance beam with a score of 7.775. Nicole Tomomitsu led the whippets on the floor exercise with a score of 7.9 followed by teammate Sierra Brunner with a score of 7.4.

In the junior varsity competition, junior Jocelin Beecroft led the Whippets on the vault with a score of 7.55. Beecroft also led the team on the floor exercise with a score of 4.8. Freshman Ella Smith made her Whippet debut on the floor exercise with a score of 4.1. Senior Caitlin Zimdars was the only competitor for the whippets on the junior varsity competition on the balance beam scoring a 4.2.

The team will be back in action on Saturday competing in an invitational at Platteville High School.

Whitewater Boys Basketball 48 East Troy 69

Jake Martin, pictured in this file photo, added 10 points for the Whippets.

File photo by Bob Mischka.

The Whitewater Boys fell hard in their rematch with East Troy, 69-48. After losing leading scorer, Daniel Fuller, early, Whitewater fell behind 34-25 at halftime. The Whippets were able to cut the lead to 6 points in the second half before East Troy went on a scoring spree to finishing the game.

Whitewater was led by Roberto Navejas with 12 points followed by Jake Martin with 10 points. The Whippets look to regroup as they host Evansville Friday, February 9th at 7:15 PM.

Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club Donates to the Irvin Young Memorial Library

In the photo above, Jerry Grant, President of the Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club, presents a check to the Library’s Youth Educational Services Director, Deana Rolfsmeyer.  The Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club recently donated $400 to the Irvin Young Memorial Library in Whitewater for the purchase of books for the youth section.  

Anyone interested in finding out more about Kiwanis is welcome to contact Irene Potocki at 262-374-0826.