Mayor proclaims June 20 as ‘Stevens Point Softball Association Day’
By Patrick Lynn
Stevens Point — Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza has declared June 20, 2024, as “Stevens Point Softball Association Day” to honor the Stevens Point Softball Association (SPSA) for its 50 years of contributions to the community.
Founded in the fall of 1973, the SPSA has been a cornerstone of the community’s recreational life. The association’s first games were held at Iverson Park in 1974. To accommodate the growing interest in adult softball, the SPSA collaborated with the city to build a softball field and concession stand at Goerke Park.
In 1984, Bill and Jean Zenoff donated land for what later became Zenoff Park, where the first games were played in 1988.
The SPSA is currently developing the Legacy Plaza Project at Zenoff Park to commemorate its 50th anniversary and honor long-time members Randy Wievel and Robert “Ma” Pesch.
“The Stevens Point Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department is excited to announce our partnership with the SPSA at Legacy Plaza in Zenoff Park,” said Dan Kremer, parks director. “For nearly four decades, we’ve worked together, enabling countless recreational opportunities worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. With SPSA’s leadership, we’ve upgraded facilities and programs, enhancing our community’s well-being. Legacy Plaza honors SPSA and two esteemed members of our community, Robert ‘Ma’ Pesch and Randy Wievel. Their friendship and collaboration are invaluable to Stevens Point, and we are proud to be a part of this project.”
Sara Brish, Executive Director of the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, highlighted the importance of the SPSA’s efforts in making the area a premier destination for sports tournaments.
“The Stevens Point area is the premier destination for sports tournaments, attracting hundreds of events on local, regional, state, and national levels,” she said. “This is largely due to our meticulously maintained facilities like Zenoff Park and amazing hosts like the Stevens Point Softball Association.”
Matt Disher, President of the Stevens Point Softball Association and Commissioner of USA Softball of Wisconsin, reflected on his long-term involvement with the SPSA.
“It is an honor to be a part of the SPSA for the past 30-plus years. I started helping clean up after tournaments at Iverson, biked to Zenoff to clean up, score keep, and work in the concession stand,” he said. “I became a board member in 1998 and for the past eight years have been the president. I believe our facilities in Stevens Point are among the finest in the state, thanks largely to the 50 years of SPSA.”
To date, the SPSA has raised over $2 million for park improvements in Stevens Point.