The Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is pleased to announce they have surpassed their $2 million goal in improvements for the Hodag Dome and Complex.
 
HSF set out to work with donors and the School District to help raise money toward the indoor and outdoor improvements, which now will be a reality this fall.   HSF envisions these improvements to be similar to what happened in 1958 when the High School was built, which helped Rhinelander emerge as an educational leader in the state.  HSF has issued several press releases in the past 18 months since Dr. Lee Swank’s generous gift initiated the project, and there will be additional in the next few months.  HSF sincerely thanks all donors mentioned in past press releases, and the School District has provided naming right opportunities.  HSF is also grateful for all private donations.  The Dr. Lee Swank donor wall in the new complex will list the names of donors gifting $1,000 and above.    Dave Heck, President of HSF noted, “In these uncertain times, we are thrilled to provide positive news. We are so thankful to all donors that made this happen.  In addition, we are grateful for the School Board and Administration commitment to make this investment for the future of Rhinelander.  Mike Roberts has done a great job on the capital projects design, and Ron Counter and fellow school board members have provided leadership to help this become a reality.  We thank Brian Paulson, D.J. DeMeyer and softball including Tim Musson, and also thank Superintendent Kelli Jacobi for her help on this project and congratulate Kelli on her retirement.  As she moves into retirement, the Dome complex will also be a great springboard for the new Superintendent Eric Burke to help take Rhinelander to another level.” 
 
The permanent Dome structure will be one of a kind, and it will be up year round and able to provide substantial benefits for students, the community, and the economy of northern and central Wisconsin.    Heck stated, “In our research, Ron Counter, Mike Roberts, Brian Paulson and I took several tours viewing facilities.  After visiting a Dome in Minneapolis, we got in the car and were in absolute awe of what a facility of this type could do for our community.  And not just for activities.  In fact, the first thing the Principal said from the district we visited was how much of a mental health improvement they saw in kids due to being able to see green grass and increased light. Instead of being stuck inside during the cold and dark in the winter with electronics, kids can play, get active, learn and use these facilities.”
 
Mike Roberts, HSF board member and school board member commented, “We found that a permanent Dome structure is much more cost effective than a metal building.  It can be much larger yet be more efficient, addressing space needs.  The space will allow us to host tournaments and trade shows, providing incredible civic use, and help for students.   The Hodag Dome will greatly help in all forms of activities, learning, involvement, and benefit the community.”
 
The following attributes reflect on the improvements:

• The Hodag Dome will provide community space for students, the community, and senior citizens in our area.  Exercise and engagement of students shows a direct link between academic success and better cognitive skills, and improved mental health.
• Previously, students had to practice until 10:00 p.m. at night or travel to other communities to practice. The Hodag Dome will help reduce the challenges of year round practice and competition, which in turn provides more family time and opportunities for activity success.
• The Hodag Dome will provide facility space for community events for trade shows, community gatherings, public events, and so many more benefits utilizing this space. 
• The Hodag Dome will provide many cost benefits that are substantially less than a seasonal dome or a metal building.  In addition, the Hodag Dome provides the ability to be divided into smaller areas, so several groups can utilize it simultaneously. 
• The Hodag Dome complex will be the largest high school Dome in the country with 128,000+ square feet.  In addition, the Hodag Dome will be one of the largest domes in all of North America, and in the top 10% of the entire world to include turf for soccer, football, track, pole vaulting, baseball, softball, tennis courts, pickle ball courts, basketball and seasonal gymnastics.

 

• The Hodag Dome will be the largest permanent dome in multiple states – and one of the few that can host softball or soccer tournaments inside in the winter months, while also hosting tennis meets and other community events.
• The Hodag Dome Complex offers many improvements outside with softball fields, a baseball field, and practice fields.   In the past, the land behind the high school had water drainage issues and was not used year round. Now the considerable land the Rhinelander School District has will be efficiently utilized for the outdoor space.

 
Heck believes the new space will benefit SDR students and the whole Rhinelander community. He continues, “Most schools we have seen have much more inside dedicated space for students for learning and activities, Rhinelander never did until now.  Thus, it will truly help Rhinelander students.  However, it will also benefit our community since many other schools, groups, and teams have inquired about facility use.  Economically, it is estimated that these improvements will bring in over $1 million annually to our area from restaurants, hotels, movie theatre, gas station, and the like.   Rhinelander, “the Hub of the Northwoods”, will likely see a dramatic improvement in economic progress with these facilities.  This will not only help students but also attract and retain families and businesses.  The economic, social and health challenges are driving people across the country to ask themselves where they want to live, move, or stay; the Hodag Dome will be a great asset for people to consider Rhinelander as their destination for learning, activity and community in the future.  It will be amazing and truly differentiate and help Rhinelander.”

Brian Paulson, board member of HSF and Activities Director, commented, “We have heard from districts and teams throughout the state of how this is great for Rhinelander – and they want to be part of it.  Already, we have scheduled a 12-team invitation for wrestling in December, a possible 17-team tournament for softball in March, and April softball/soccer tournaments.  This is only a start – we have had colleges contact us to use this facility.  Because there is nothing like this anywhere close, this will not only benefit our students and community, but will draw in visitors to support Rhinelander’s economy.” 

Ron Counter, President of the Board of Education noted, “With the Covid issues and economic hardships, we all need positive news and the timing of these improvements will provide Rhinelander a great benefit.  In addition, we feel this will help enrollment trends, which in turn, bring in more state aid to our District.  The Hodag Dome will also help attract and retain teachers – as we improve enrollment, additional state aid can help in teacher pay versus our peers.  We have already seen interest from teachers outside the area and want to always attract and retain the best teachers to help our students and community.” 

HSF and the Rhinelander School District are planning an Open House / Dome Dedication in the fall and excited to provide a positive and incredible benefit and asset to the community. Yet, even with all of these great improvements, there is still room to make progress.  In relation to the sports courts, which can interchange court surfaces between basketball, volleyball, and tennis; the total costs have not been fully funded in the original bid.  Therefore, HSF is still raising money to help the District.  Donors providing $1,000 and up are able to get their name on the donor wall and help fund these court improvements.   Further, indoor golf improvements are being discussed.  If you are interested in helping fund these additional improvements, please contact HSF.  

Amidst the widespread disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and with the utmost concern for the health of our alumni and community members, HSF has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 All Class Reunion.
We look forward to seeing you all AUGUST 14, 2021.

​Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation has awarded Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) a
$25,000 grant for the new Hodag Sports Complex. Leah Van Zile, senior communications
specialist – WPS, explains, “The new Hodag Sports Complex embodies the concept of
community, health and education, and will have a lasting impact on generations to come. WPS
strives to be a positive force for responsible growth in our regional economies, and through the
WPS Foundation, we continue to support the communities we serve.”

Incorporated in 1964, WPS Foundation is the philanthropic entity for WPS and other
subsidiaries of its holding company, WEC Energy Group. The foundation provides charitable
contributions to local communities while WPS is focused on providing safe, reliable electricity
and natural gas to its 450,000 customers in northeastern Wisconsin. The foundation is funded
by shareholders, not by WPS customers.

WPS Foundation supports organizations involved in community and neighborhood
development, education, environment, human services and health, and arts and culture. WPS
employees live, work and actively participate in the communities they serve, demonstrating a
personal commitment to safety, health and wellness as a way of life.

Van Zile continues, “The Hodag Sports Complex complements our company’s focus on health
and wellness. With the extended winter weather in the Northwoods, there is an increased need
for access to indoor recreation spaces. The Hodag Sports Complex offers a space for fun and
fitness year-round. Bringing additional sporting and business venues to the Rhinelander area
can positively impact businesses throughout the Northwoods. WPS Foundation is pleased to be
part of this legacy.”

Carole Zierden, HSF board member and retired School District of Rhinelander teacher, admits,
“I have never been happier with the all the donations from businesses and individuals — in
addition to this generous grant — to make the dome happen in Rhinelander. As a spring coach
for the past 17 years, I am looking forward to this marvelous new facility for our youth and
athletics, where they can practice for many years to come.”
​
Superintendent Kelli Jacobi notes, “Many thanks to HSF for writing this proposal and to the
WPS Foundation for granting the money. The grant is directed toward the Hodag Schools
Foundation which, in turn, gives the money to SDR to help fund the dome project. The facility
improvements are designed to benefit the entire community and will help attract students and
families, which in turn, brings state aid to the district.”

Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is especially pleased to announce a donation of
$50,000 from Ripco Credit Union. Designated for improvements to the Hodag athletic multi-
purpose complex, the donation comes in the form of a pledge over several years.

“The Ripco Board of Directors and I truly see this as a game changer for our
community,” notes Liza Edinger, President and CEO of Rhinelander’s Ripco Credit Union. “The
attraction this complex will have for not only those in our community, but also visitors from
outside of our area will result in positive outcomes, bringing an encouraging economic benefit
to our area. Moreover, we wanted to provide support to the largest commitment our school
district has made since 1958. The time, attention, and resources already provided by numerous
individuals and companies have been truly impressive and heartwarming to see. In addition,
we have a long-standing relationship with the Rhinelander School District, and have maintained
a student branch at Rhinelander High School for well over 10 years.”

Ripco Credit Union has long-time, strong roots in the Rhinelander community, operating
since 1932. Membership was available initially to employees of the Rhinelander Industrial
Paper Company, the credit union, and their immediate families. In 1972, Ripco became a
community credit union and the charter was expanded to include the city of Rhinelander.
Today, with over 12,000 members Ripco’s charter encompasses seven counties (Oneida, Forest,
Florence, Vilas, Langlade, Lincoln and Price) and membership is open to those who live, work, or own
real estate in those seven counties.

Edinger believes the Dome will attract many from outside of our community to different
events. This will provide an economic benefit to the area as visitors utilize hotels, restaurants,
gas stations, and other businesses that they choose to frequent. Edinger says, “We feel the
Dome will offer the opportunity for various sporting and other types of events year-round. The
possibilities are endless for use of the space. With the late springs we tend to have, it will no
doubt provide an opportunity for the community to come together more often. We live in an
area that is known for higher depression and seasonal affective disorder. We have long, cold
winters. Having an indoor facility of this magnitude could very well provide a reason for many
who do not venture outside to participate more in community events and improve their overall
mental well-being.”

She continues, “Some studies have shown that there appears to be a correlation
between participation in sports and academic achievement. This being the case, the Dome may
very well begin to not only draw in students but also improve students’ academics. We feel that
the Dome will only enhance what the Rhinelander School District has to offer which in turn will
attract more families to live in our area. Our credit union continues to grow in size and in
number of employees. It is not uncommon for us to have to look for prospective employees
outside of our community. Having such a facility in our town may very well become a draw to
families with children as they survey the District and what it has to offer. This could provide us
with a larger pool of qualified applicants for staff.”

Edinger wants to again remind the community that Ripco sees the Dome as a game
changer and an attraction to our community that will give those living here a strong sense of
pride. “The more we learned about the facility, the more enthused we got about the endless
opportunities that will come to our community.” She concludes, “We are thrilled not only to
support this endeavor, but also be an active part of this community and a business that will
benefit and experience what the Dome will accomplish over time.”

HSF board member Steve Jensen notes, “As a former coach of a spring sport and a physical
education teacher, I know the challenges weather can cause. That’s why donations like this from Ripco
are so important. HSF sincerely thanks Ripco Credit Union. Their generosity helps give Rhinelander the
opportunity to become a destination city.” Merlin VanBuren, SDR Board member, echoes that
gratitude, “The District thanks Ripco Credit Union for this generous donation. We are fortunate to have
their continued support.”

Another business has stepped up to support improvements to the Hodag Sports Complex. The
Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is again pleased to announce the donation of $25,000 from Nicolet
National Bank. The donation comes in the form of a pledge, designated for improvements to the Hodag
multi-purpose complex.

Amy Vanney, Branch Manager at Nicolet National Bank since 2017, explains, “I am not an RHS
graduate, but I am married to one, and I am raising three Hodags. The staff at Nicolet Bank has many
RHS alumni, and most of them grew up in the surrounding area. To support the dome means a lot to
the entire staff at Nicolet National Bank, and we are so honored to be part of the project. We hire locally
so most of our employees are committed to living in Rhinelander or the surrounding area. Having the
dome in Rhinelander will be another great reason to make Rhinelander where we all live, work and
play.”

Vanney believes that the Hodag Sports Complex will help the entire Rhinelander community.
“Bringing various teams into our town will boost the town’s economy,” she continues. “The teams will
need hotels, food, gas, and shopping which benefits all of our customers as well as benefiting our
community. Having the dome in Rhinelander will make us a go-to destination for traveling athletic
events and sports clinics. Moreover, I think the dome being open to the public will be a great place for
teens and seniors to meet and get some exercise, benefiting their physical and mental health. I think
there is so much opportunity to expand the services and capabilities of the dome, and I am excited to
see all the ideas the community comes up with to utilize this new, beautiful facility. The sky is the limit!”

At Nicolet National Bank, local professionals are driven by a vision of shared success. Nicolet
National Bank is founded on the belief that their job is to create shared success between the 3 Circles:
Customers, Shareholders and Employees. “Because each circle can be divergent and has their own
interests,” says Vanney, “our job is to create balance and grow the space of shared success where the 3
Circles overlap. This is Nicolet National Bank’s vision.”

All employees are expected to model Nicolet’s Core Values, behaviors that put action behind
their vision, creating a culture that has a bias toward action. Those Core Values include Be Real, Be
Responsive, Be Personal, Be Memorable, and Be Entrepreneurial. Vanney explains, “We expect to
create connections with customers, whether internal or external, and work together to create a
successful outcome. We give people the opportunity to learn, grow and make a difference. We choose
to work here because we make a real difference to our customers and the community. The Hodag Dome
will be a great addition to our community. Nicolet National Bank only has branches in the communities
around the state where we can matter to that community. As a community bank we support a lot of
various organizations in the place where we live and work. The request to sponsor the Dome was an
easy request to get behind.”

HSF Board Member Casey Gretzinger notes, “HSF sincerely thanks Nicolet National Bank. This
donation will impact the year-round activities the new dome will provide our students and community in
our cold Northern Wisconsin temperatures. We appreciate Nicolet National Bank’s donation and
willingness to share in the success of the Hodag Sports Complex.”
​
Rhinelander School Board Member Ron Luenburg echoes that gratitude, “The District is grateful
to accept this gift from Nicolet National Bank. The improvements in these facilities will benefit students
and the community, differentiating Rhinelander from its neighbors.”

The Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is pleased to announce that another local business has
expressed its support for the Hodag athletic multipurpose complex with a $25,000 donation. This
donation, from Culver’s of Rhinelander, comes in the form of a pledge over five years, designated for
improvements specifically for the Hodag Dome.

Josh and Jen Clark, own and operate the local Culver’s restaurant along with eleven additional
Culver"s restaurants located in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, and Florida. “We were both involved in
athletics, and we feel strongly about the values that sports and extra-curricular activities bring to kids in
our community,” says Josh.  “Rhinelander is our home. We have two boys, Connor and Cooper, who will
grow up with the advantage of having a dome complex to be active all year and hopefully be better
students, athletes, and well-rounded people because of this new facility.  We are also proponents of
growing the Northwoods, and this will be a huge attraction to potential families moving up here.  The
final element is the mental health aspect.  Anyone that has lived up here for an extended period knows
the winters can get long and this will really help to get people out of the house and active during those
long, dark winter months.”

For almost 35 years, Culver's guests have been treated to cooked-to-order food made with
farm-fresh ingredients, served with a smile. The restaurant's nationally recognized customer service is
based on small-town, Midwestern values, genuine friendliness and an unwavering commitment to
quality. The Culver’s owned and operated by the Clarks have roughly 55 team members and managers
in the Rhinelander community and over 550 in all of their restaurants.  The Clarks also have a local
business, Clark Business Solutions, which has three local employees that provide accounting services to
Culver"s restaurants locally and throughout the country.
 
Clark also mentioned that in addition to the many benefits of the dome mentioned, some might
not be known until later. While being active throughout the entire year is important, the Clark family
feels the dome will be a direct correlation for growing new business in the area as well. “If we are
attracting more people to Rhinelander, they will stay at our hotels, eat at our restaurants, and shop at
our local establishments.” Josh continues, “I believe this will be huge for attracting talent and people to
the Northwoods and make this the place to live if you are making a move north.”
Josh adds, “A few years ago I used to hear about how bad our roads were when people would
come up from out of town.  The PRAT tax that [the city] has implemented has allowed the improvement
of the city roads and infrastructure, and I look at the dome as being a very similar improvement.  It is an
investment in our future and something that will pay dividends for years to local business, tourism,
housing, and tax revenue.  Hopefully, the dome will be a deciding factor when a family is contemplating
a move to the Northwoods.”

“It is great to have local business step up to support this project,” says HSF Board member Brian
Gaber. “We at HSF are delighted that Culver’s has invested in Rhinelander’s future education.” SDR
Board Ann Munninghoff Eshelman echoes that sentiment, “I am very happy and proud to see the
Rhinelander community support its schools with such unprecedented generosity. Heartfelt thanks to
Culvers –as well as all the other dedicated community members and organizations.”
 

The Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is pleased to announce the donation of $100,000 from
Rhinelander Auto Center (Rhinelander GM and Toyota). The donation comes in the form of a pledge
over five years, designated for improvements to the Hodag athletic multi-purpose complex, specifically
the Hodag Dome.

“We feel business owners have a responsibility to the communities where they operate. It's
important to give back and be involved,” acknowledges Dan Towne owner of Rhinelander Auto Center.
Towne who was an entry-level salesman at Rhinelander Auto Center in early 2000, worked his way to
the top of the company over the course of 15 years. A proud Rhinelander native, he credits his start in
the car business to his father-in-law, who worked at a local dealership and encouraged him to apply.
After assisting with the purchase and successful growth of a sister store, Durango Motor Company in
Colorado, Towne returned to Rhinelander in 2016, overseeing Rhinelander Auto Center’s day-to-day
operations as general manager. He became owner in March 2019 and Towne remains committed to the
Rhinelander area.

“Sports and recreation is not only about winning, it’s about helping build stronger, healthier,
happier, and safer communities,” continues Towne. “Communities that participate in sports, recreation,
and wellness activities develop strong social bonds, are safer places, and their residents are generally
healthier and happier. Physical activity enhances cognitive function improving memory, behavior,
concentration, and academic achievement. We here at Rhinelander Auto Center believe sports activities
are a great way for children to learn essential skills such as teamwork and cooperation that will serve
them later in life.”

He goes on to say, “This dome will be versatile so it won’t only cater to our community of Hodag
athletes, but will be useful for Rhinelander High School students and departments like physical education
and band. Additionally, it will give our community a chance to host activities and events such as
tournaments and fundraisers.”

Rhinelander Auto Center believes improving outdoor facilities benefits the community by
bringing people together and providing opportunities for social interaction and networking. They agree
that facilities of this type create positive alternatives for youth, provide a vehicle for inclusion, and bring
people of different backgrounds together, promoting volunteering. “Sports and recreation clubs are the
hub of community life, especially in small rural locations like Rhinelander and its surrounding areas,”
continues Towne. “It balances work and life, fostering community pride.”

Rhinelander Auto Center trusts that building this complex will help grow the athletic department
of the schools and community which in turn will attract future business leaders and their families.
Towne sums up the reason to support this project by saying, “One of our values includes being good
community citizens. We give willingly to and are actively involved in the support of our local communities
because they provide us our success. Donating to local organizations also fosters good will. It shows that
we care about the future of Rhinelander and the youth that will shape it. It’s not about adding to or
growing our bottom line, but about shaping future generations to be proud of where they grew up.
Hopefully, they will see the value in that and want to continue that tradition - to continue building
Rhinelander into a great community.”

Jonna Jewell, an HSF Board member and 1971 graduate of Rhinelander High School, applauds
the coming changes, “Instead of practicing in congested hallways, Rhinelander students will be able to
train in a safe, comfortable place. HSF is fortunate to have the support of local businesses such as
Rhinelander Auto Center.”
​
“The improvements in these Rhinelander facilities will change Rhinelander, benefiting students,
the community, and businesses, completely differentiating Rhinelander from its neighbor,” says
Rhinelander School Board member David Holperin. “The District thanks Rhinelander Auto Center for its
generous gift.”

Brian Wendt graduated from Rhinelander High School in 1989.  Thirty years later as president of Superior Diesel, Inc., he and his company have a history of positive impacts on his school district. During the last building improvement project, their donation named the tiered classroom at RHS.  Now they have extended those positive effects with another contribution. 

The Hodag Schools Foundation (HSF) is pleased to announce the donation of $100,000 from Superior Diesel, Inc. through the Rhinelander Community Foundation.  The donation comes in the form of a pledge over several years, designated for improvements for the Hodag Sports Complex. The impact to the overall community and business was a major factor in the decision to present such a generous gift. Brian notes, “We have a lot to be proud of living in Rhinelander. Our company is fortunate to be located here where people bring a positive attitude and creativity into the workplace. Northern Wisconsin has a lot to offer, but if we are going to recruit and retain talent for businesses like ours, we need to continue to invest in our youth and infrastructure.”

Wendt and his company believe the permanent Dome and outdoor facility improvements will dramatically help Rhinelander.  “This project has the potential to provide a great deal for our community by improving our indoor and outdoor facilities.  It builds on what our school system and community have to offer. Students will now be able to condition and practice 365 days a year, without having to work around congested schedules, allowing ample time to focus on their academics. Families will look at Rhinelander as a place where their children can get a valuable education as well as a means to meet their physical and athletic goals.”  Wendt continued, “There will also be opportunities for various organizational partnerships to provide new programs and initiatives unavailable before because we didn’t have the facilities or infrastructure to support them.”

As a Board Member of the Rhinelander Community Foundation, Wendt understands that the ability to promote giving through the Foundation is important for the future.  “We thank the Rhinelander School Board (SDR) and the HSF and all involved for working tirelessly to promote the design [of the sports complex] and hope this gift further inspires other donations for our schools and community.”
“It just made sense to support this initiative and others that enhance the way of life in the Rhinelander area,” Wendt continued. “I am proud to be a Hodag.”
​
Sue Makris, Vice-President of HSF stated, “We are so thankful for Superior Diesel and Brian’s continued support and gift for Rhinelander.  These multiple donations are significant and HSF applauds the company’s determination to help our community and our students.” Judy Conlin, Vice-President of the School Board noted, “We appreciate the on-going support for our educational system from Superior Diesel, enhancing our school district.”

​