Campbellsport’s Griesemer Retiring after 13 Years of Service

Campbellsport’s Assistant Principal/Athletic Director, Tom Griesemer, is retiring after working 13 years at the school district on June 30.
Griesemer’s accomplishments included hiring a great group of coaches and provided them with personal development to maximize their impact on student-athletes, moved our athletic programs back to the Flyway Conference, worked closely with Booster Club to fund dozens of high-impact needs that helped our coaches and athletes be successful, promoted sportsmanship and positive fan behavior at athletic events, upgraded every single sporting venue for the betterment of fans and athletes, only a handful of organizational mishaps with over a thousand events planned, representing our athletic programs and School District with hometown pride, worked to get Josh Onwunili eligible for the State Track Meet, encouraged coaches and student athletes daily by talking about their performances and being at their events, and promoted leadership within our school wherever and whenever possible.
Tom’s Role as the Associate Principal for the High School, Middle & High School Athletic Director/Activities Coordinator, served as the Dean of Students for several years; within my job I have also been a custodian, maintenance person, teacher/tutor, event supervisor for nearly all sports and activities, coach, van driver, sideline judge for volleyball, hydration maintenance personnel, garbage collector, lawn mower, chain gang for football, article writer for the paper, social media poster, presenter at meetings, cook and griller, painter, aerator of fields, rototiller of sand pits, landscaper, traffic cop, and snow remover....just to name a few.
What are you most proud of during your time at Campbellsport?

I am most proud of my record of showing up every day to serve the Campbellsport School District and its students.
I tried making it a better place in every possible way for students, teachers, athletes, and coaches. I went out of my way and outside of my lane to make improvements and touch lives.
I hope that I have left a legacy for others to follow by humbly serving others with passion and not seeking to be noticed.
In addition, I am very proud of the coaches that I have helped hire. They are an extension of what I would like to accomplish in creating better people through the participation of athletics and activities.
They positively impact lives in our community, and I am so grateful for their leadership. Their work is an extension of the classroom.
They are teaching our young people valuable skills and lessons that will serve them well in the future. We are creating better people through athletics.
What will you miss the most upon retiring from Campbellsport?
Working directly with kids/young men and women in helping them be the best version of themselves in every way possible, and then seeing the joy of their successes.
Is there anyone you would like to mention or thank at Campbellsport?
This is a tough one, since I have worked with so many wonderful people.
First, I am thankful for the people who hired me and gave me the chance to work here. I loved teaching for 20 years at Steffen Middle School in Mequon.
When it became apparent that I needed a change, coming back to Campbellsport was a dream come true. I was raised here. I graduated from here. I learned the value of hard work here.
I appreciate the many teachers at St. Matthews and CHS who encouraged me and taught me to be the person that I am. I am forever grateful.
In addition, I would have to thank the people who helped me do my job, whether it be with school discipline, supervision, coaching, or other duties that helped me succeed in my job.
I would be remiss not to throw a shout-out to my mentors and colleagues from Steffen Middle School in Mequon. Those people nurtured me to develop into the person that I am. I continue to gather with them on a regular basis, and I am the final one to retire from our team.
What should be the role of an assistant principal and athletic director in a school district?
Simply to support kids in every possible way. My job literally touches every aspect of what our school does.
I work directly with all departments and must collaborate to complete my work. The AP/AD has many responsibilities and must be able to work with all people. He or she must be willing to do the work by being present and leading others, even if it means doing the jobs that others won’t do.
What are your thoughts on the importance of providing students with a full scope of academic studies, the arts, sports, and other extracurricular activities in our schools?
We are the sum of all that we do. The more we participate in, the more we learn and grow. If a student only comes to CHS to attend their classes, they have not truly taken advantage of all that we offer and have not become the well-rounded individuals that society needs.
The curriculum will only take you so far. Taking diverse classes and participation in extracurricular activities is a formula for personal growth and success.
My life is an example of this formula. I am who I am and have accomplished what I have because of this “formula” for success.
What are your plans upon retirement?
I am sure that you will still see me around school and the community, helping out wherever I can. I loved what I did, and the work isn’t done – it never will be.
So I hope to help out the next Administrator or Athletic Director. To be honest, I will be a little selfish and do the things that I want to do, but could only do on a limited basis due to the demands and time commitments of my job.
I spent many days that started at 7:30 am and ended at 9:30 pm. I will never get those hours back, but I have positioned myself to retire in a way that I have a lot of life to live.
It’s nice that my wife, Kelly, and a teacher for 34 years will be retiring with me. She is my best friend, and I will enjoy spending time with her and not missing so many family meals. It will also be great to spend more time with our three boys: Trent, Travis, and Connor.
I have already brainstormed over 100 things that I would like to do in retirement…travel, supervise events, coach, teach, kayak, bike, and work for various non-profits, etc.
I will start figuring out retirement after it happens, and just see how many doors open for me simply because I closed the door on my career.
Campbellsport High School Principal Mark Wittig’s Comments
It has been really hard to put my thoughts together, as nothing seems to do justice to what Tom means to Campbellsport High School and the Campbellsport School District.
In the two years I have known Tom, he has exemplified professionalism and always focused on what is best for our students.
He has been a trusted sounding board for ideas, has provided valuable input on our Shared Leadership Team, and has provided me with a steady mindset and perspective.
In his dual role as an Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, it is a constant juggling act depending on the needs of the school at a given moment.
When athletic events or competitions get cancelled, Tom needs to dedicate time to communicate with other schools to find alternative dates and iron out details, adjust transportation plans, and contact officials, all while keeping up on what is happening in our hallways and classrooms.
Tom is able to do this without skipping a beat. I have never seen Tom truly rattled by any situation. His calm demeanor and ability to prioritize keep everyone else focused on fulfilling their roles.
Tom Griesemer is a Campbellsport Cougar through and through and has dedicated the last 13 years to providing great opportunities for our students.
It is impossible to make decisions that will keep everyone happy, but Tom listens, evaluates, and makes a decision that he feels serves CHS in the best capacity.
There are so many things that Tom does that most people don’t see regularly, such as the amount of time dedicated to setting up and being at CHS events, attending WIAA meetings to ensure we are always in compliance, working with the Flyway Conference Athletic Directors to make sure all conference events run smoothly, attending School Board meetings to give updates, being the CHS representative with the Booster Club, and simply being in the CHS hallways during passing time to interact with students and connect with them.
I can honestly say that Tom is one of the hardest-working individuals I have ever met, and it has been a true privilege to work alongside him these past two years.
Campbellsport School District Administrator Tom Wissnik Comments
Tom Griesemer has spent 33 years in education. Tom began his teaching career at Steffen Middle School in the Mequon-Thiensville School District as a math and science teacher. In 2013, he joined the Campbellsport School District in a dual role as the Athletic Director and Associate Principal.
He did an amazing job doing the most demanding job in any school district - Athletic Director. It demands a large skill set and an investment of time to set up, attend, and supervise events.
Our school’s athletic and activities programs run six days a week, sometimes even seven.
He put our student-athletes first by prioritizing doing well in the classroom, advocating for multi-sport athletes, building character, and developing both students and coaches.
In Tom’s time as Athletic Director, we have seen participation numbers increase and the success of several teams and programs.
It is not always a glamorous job. You have to be a jack of all trades. Tom was able to focus on developing our students and balance the demands of WIAA rules and compliance, scheduling, bus transportation, event management, facilities and grounds prep and maintenance, budgeting, athletic code of conduct, officials, safety, crisis management, intense parental expectations, fan behavior, constant accessibility, and Mother Nature!
Let’s face it, it’s a tough job, and you’re not always liked. You have to have thick skin and be willing to work.
Many times, I saw Tom roll up his sleeves and help our grounds crew get our fields ready for competition.
He strived to see our students grow and develop, our athletes and teams to be successful, and to build a positive culture and pride in our schools and community.
Tom left a positive mark and made a difference for our students, coaches, and teams.
We appreciate it. Thank you, Mr. Griesemer! I wish him, his wife Kelly, and their family the very best and much happiness in retirement.
What is your lasting message to the Campbellsport school district, students, staff, and community?
First and foremost, “It takes a village.” I hope that my legacy continues to influence people, and I also hope others take up the torch in moving initiatives forward.
Take advantage of the opportunities that the school or community has to offer. Become a part of something greater than yourself and find ways to make a difference.
We can all accomplish great things and be a positive influence. If you can’t find those opportunities here, seek them elsewhere. You never know what you can learn and do if you don’t seek it out. Be great!
I have many fond memories and am proud to say that I served the Campbellsport School District and community. Life is good, and it will only get better. Go Cougars!