The Black River Falls community came together to celebrate our outstanding student-athletes at the 2026 Rotary Athletic Banquet. This incredible event has a rich history in our district, dating all the way back to 1929 when the very first Rotary banquet was held. The tradition grew even stronger in 1973 when the first girls were invited to join, ensuring that all Tiger athletes are celebrated for their dedication and hard work.

A huge thank you goes out to the Black River Falls Rotary for their incredible, ongoing support of BRFHS Athletics through this wonderful banquet every year!

This year’s guest speaker was coach and educator Paul Rykken, who focused his message on Title IX and its history at Black River Falls. During his speech, he shared his wisdom on what makes a sports program truly successful.

Rykken shared that all championship-level teams share three specific traits. First, they combine natural talent with strong personal character. Second, they are guided by coaches who constantly demand excellence from their players. Finally, they are built on a foundation of love, because great teams develop an unbreakable bond of loyalty among their teammates.

Congratulations to all of our incredible student-athletes, and thank you again to the Rotary Club for hosting an unforgettable evening!