The Gatekeeper of Nicolet Athletics

A business or department is only as good as the people it hires.

It’s a good bet anyone who comes to Nicolet High School for a sporting event or to conduct some business with the athletic director, probably crossed paths with Donna Amerell.  She’s been the administrative assistant in the athletics, sports transportation, physical education and health departments since 1992.

A work day for Amerell might include checking athletic eligibility-grades, or handling WIAA physicals. If you want your team to travel to Brookfield for a game, match or tournament, you’ve got to talk to Amerell. “I’m responsible for the usage of school vans, and bus transportation to athletic events,” Amerell said.

Official contracts and coaching contracts fall within her area of expertise. Amerell knows more about the sports department than Interpol. “My position is multifaceted and I am never bored,” she said.

Amerell, 70, grew up in Glendale, went to Nicolet High School and later UW-Milwaukee to pursue a degree in accounting. “The accounting background has helped me the many tasks I’m responsible for with athletics,” Amerell said. 

When you've been at Nicolet as long as Amerell, you see many thing change. From hairstyles to women's rights, fasion trends to the economy, Amerell has seen it all.

“We have so many sporting opportunities available to girls,” Amerell said. 

“I also see more athletes committing to one sport and reinforcing their skills through club sports.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of her job has been the family atmosphere she’s shared with coaches and the physical education staff and their families.

The job, as any other, poses some challenges. “Communicating with parents is critical, and so is the paperwork,” Amerell said. “We need to have physical cards and Nicolet athletic forms filled out for each student athlete.”

When she started at Nicolet, the boys basketball team was top of their game. “When the team went to state championships, I had to learn the numerous details and tasks involved in getting a team, and student body, to the state tournament.”

The job has many rewarding aspects, but Amerell said working with the different athletic directors is something she’ll always remember. “Cindy Wilburth taught me the importance of paying attention to the details in the athletic department,” Amerell said. 

She said her years with Jim Liska allowed her to become better at her job. “He entrusted me with the day to day operations of the office, and allowed me to grow under his supervision,” Amerell said. 

“Working with Kirk Krychowiak, our current athletic director, has presented new and exciting changes. We’re working on new challenges,” Amerell said. “That makes my job all the more interesting.”

Krychowiak has similar sentiments towards her.

“Donna works as hard as any assistant I have ever had,” Krychowiak said. “Her knowledge base is incredible and I often feel like I am working for her, and often times it's true,” Krychowiak said. "Amerell has a wonderful presence in the office and has earned the respect of all her colleagues."

Krychowiak aptly summed things up when he said Amerell is a ‘true Nicolet treasure.’