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Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host DePauw University [Indiana] for the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Championship on Saturday, November 29. Kickoff at Perkins Stadium is set for 12 PM.
RANKINGS
The Warhawks are ranked 14th in the most recent American Football Coaches Association Division III poll. UW-Whitewater is listed at 11 in the D3football.com poll. The Tigers’ are ranked 10th and 15th in the pair of national polls respectively.
SERIES
Saturday will be the just the second meeting between UW-Whitewater and DePauw. The lone other matchup was also a NCAA Second Round game back in 2021. The Warhawks won that contest 45-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
HOW WE GOT HERE
UW-Whitewater received an at-large bid into the NCAA Division Championship after tying for second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season.
DePauw finished as the runner-up in the North Coast Athletic Conference this season. The Tigers also claimed one of 13 at-large bids into the postseason. Both squads received a first round bye to set up Saturday’s second round matchup.
WATCH LIVE
All 2025 NCAA Football Championship preliminary round contests including Saturday’s game will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ (subscription required). The game will not be available on local Charter channels [it appears not to be available on TDS either] or the WIAC Network. According to ESPN, coverage will begin promptly at noon.
ON THE AIR
Fans can listen to Josh Golberg and Bill O’Leary with the call live on the radio on 105.9 FM The Hog in the Whitewater/Janesville area, or online at www.1059thehog.com.
PARKING
Fans are encouraged to purchase parking in advance for Saturday. Cash will not be accepted on gameday. Payment may be made with use of a QR code. Season parking pass holders will still have their designated space in Lot 24.
You can purchase football parking online at Order Event Permit. Lot 24 is Sold Out, Lot 11 is $20 and all other general parking is $10.
TICKETS
Tickets [Adults $15, Age 65+ or Under 18, $10, Age 3 and under free] can be purchased online or at the ticket windows on gameday (cash will be accepted for ticket purchases on gameday). Season parking pass holders must purchase tickets for all NCAA contests. Students also must purchase tickets for NCAA contests.
GAMEDAY INFO
Find all of the information you need for Gameday at The Perk in one place … Gameday Central..
As a reminder there was a change to the Bag Policy at Perkins Stadium last year and spectators are expected to follow this policy. Please review so that you are prepared on game day.
If tailgating, or for other gameday questions, refer to Gameday Central.
John’s Disposal will be closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in observance of Thanksgiving Day.
Please note the following route change:
- Thursday’s city route is delayed to Friday
- Residents with questions may contact John’s Disposal at (262) 473-4700 or by email at
office@johnsdisposal.com. Additional information is available at www.johnsdisposal.com.
Jefferson used a late surge in the first half to take a double-digit lead and never looked back the rest of the night as Whitewater hosted girls’ basketball on Tuesday, November 25. Jefferson came out on top 48-25.
Grace Warborg led all scorers with 29 points as she scored in a variety of ways for the visiting Eagles. The Whippets were plagued by foul trouble but put forth a solid defensive effort against everyone else from Jefferson.
Whitewater is off for the rest of this short holiday break and then hosts Lake Mills on Tuesday night, December 2. That will be a varsity only game and will tip off at 6:00 pm. The Whippets then travel to Marshall on Thursday, December 4 for a 6:00 pm JV game and a 7:30 Varsity tip.
Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org
Model UN members competed at the MADMUN conference at McFarland High School on Saturday, November 8th.They did great work! For many, this was their first time competing.
Model UN (Model United Nations) is a high school club where students act as delegates from different countries and simulate real UN meetings. Members research global issues, learn their assigned country’s viewpoints, and work with students from other schools to debate, negotiate, and create solutions. It’s a fun and engaging way to build public speaking, writing, and leadership skills while learning how international problems are solved.
Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart and Liberty Cunningham
Whitewater High School Model UN Advisors
gstewart@wwusd.org
The Whitewater High School Computer Programming Team competed at the annual Milwaukee School of Engineering Opportunity Conference on Friday, November 21. The competition hosted 43 teams of up to 4 students each from 12 high schools across Wisconsin and Illinois: Menomonee Falls, Jacobs, Glenbrook North, Janesville Parker, Crystal Lake, Janesville Craig, Homestead, Cedarburg, Whitnall, Oak Creek, Brookfield East, and Whitewater. Students could choose to code in either Python or Java during the 2.5 hour competition. WHS fielded two teams.
Teams could use two laptops and choose to divide their time between solving a series of 10 coding challenges written by professors at MSOE. The problems were divided into 4 levels of difficulty – one 5-point problem, three 10-point problems, three 20-point problems, and three 40-point problems. A team from Menomonee Falls was the only group to correctly solve a 40-point problem, and placed first, scoring 83 out of the possible 215 points.
The team of Ace Hudec, Margaret Brown, Rae Breisath, and Emilie Bruns placed 16th out of 43, scoring 32 points. The team of Carson Miller, Silas Long, and Jayden Kehrer placed 21st out of 43, scoring 25 points. Scoring problems involves negative points, with teams losing 3 points each time they submit an incorrect solution. Final scores at the event ranged from the high of 83 to a low of negative 7.
Following the competition, students took part in a presentation by an MSOE professor titled, “Teaching AIs Teamwork.”
Article and Photos Submitted by Laura Masbruch
Whitewater High School Computer Science Teacher
lmasbruch@wwusd.org
| Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Wisconsin Department of Health Services Registered Nurse Tricia Ploessl |
| MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #280, ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Wed., Nov. 26, 2025, in honor of Tricia Ploessl, who unexpectedly passed away in the course of her work as a nurse clinician at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Central Wisconsin Center (CWC) facility, on Fri., Nov. 21, 2025, at the age of 45. “By all accounts, Tricia was a devoted and talented nurse who was committed to providing the highest quality services to those in her care, and her sudden passing leaves a void in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I share our deepest condolences with Tricia’s husband and kids, as well as the abundance of loved ones, friends, and colleagues who had the privilege of knowing, loving, and working alongside her.” Tricia graduated from Cassville High School in 1998 before going on to earn a degree in elementary education from Winona State University in Minnesota. Eventually returning to Wisconsin, Tricia began her career at Kids Express Learning Center in Madison while raising her own young family. With an intrinsic passion for helping others, Tricia went on to earn a nursing degree from Southwest Technical College before becoming a nurse clinician at the CWC, one of three facilities operated by DHS that offers short-term and residential services to assist people living with intellectual disabilities. Through her work at the CWC, Tricia was dedicated to providing high-quality care to her patients, offering guidance and support to those in her care so that they could gain the personal skills needed to reach their highest potential. Remembered for her gentle, steady, and unwavering care for others, Tricia was an advocate for all those in her care, and in her final act of generosity, she gave the gift of life through organ donation. Her legacy of kindness and spirit of giving lives on through her husband and daughters, as well as the abundance of friends, family, and loved ones who will all miss her dearly. Services for Tricia Ploessl will be held on Wed., Nov. 26, 2025, in Lancaster. |
Over 100 Whitewater Children Still Waiting for Their Holiday Wishlists to Be Filled — Deadline December 8
The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County’s Holiday Helpers program is issuing an urgent call to the community. With the December 8 deadline quickly approaching, more than 100 Whitewater children still have unfilled holiday wishlists.
Holiday Helpers provides gifts and seasonal essentials to local children facing financial hardship, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and celebrated during the holidays. In addition to their wishlist item, each child will also receive a dental kit from Whitewater Family Dentistry, an age-appropriate book, gloves or mittens, and a Christmas stocking filled with goodies.
To make giving simple and stress-free, donors can shop directly from the Amazon wishlist:
Amazon Wishlist: https://a.co/8HxbqpM
Items are shipped directly to United Way for easy distribution.
“We’ve made the process incredibly easy for anyone who wants to help,” said Elizabeth Ellis, CEO of the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County. “With over 100 children still waiting, every gift—big or small—brings joy and reassurance to families who need it most.”
Community members, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to give or share the link so that all children can be supported by the December 8 cutoff.
For questions or additional ways to get involved, please contact United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth County at uwjnwc@gmail.com.
Together, let’s make sure every child in Whitewater feels the warmth and wonder of the season.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties. The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Alexa from Pixabay.
Whitewater native Reese Brantmeier won the NCAA Singles National Championship in Orlando, FL on November 21. This past summer the renovated tennis courts for which she had raised tens of thousands of dollars were opened at Washington Elementary.
Reese’s first interview as Singles National Champion.
Obituaries
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
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