The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association began sponsoring and recognizing softball as a high school sport in 1976. That spring, the WIAA sponsored their first Softball State Tournament in Madison. In 1978, Burlington High School began its first ever softball program behind Coach Ellen Duhamel. In 1982, George Barry took over as head coach of the program. At the time, the local media described softball as “something extra for the lady athletes to do.” Success would follow soon, as the 1983 team won their first WIAA Regional and Sectional Championships in school history.
During the 1984 season, Head Coach George Barry was quoted stating that the 1984 team was “very average. We can’t hit very well, we don’t have an overwhelming pitcher and we’re not big. But we win.” The Demons advanced through the WIAA postseason, winning their second consecutive Regional Championship and defeating Racine Park 3-1 in extra innings in the WIAA Sectional Final.
The WIAA hosted the 1984 WIAA State Softball Tournament in Waukesha and the Demons were ready for their opportunity. Burlington began the Tournament with a 6-0 win over Madison Memorial in the quarterfinals. The team followed that performance by defeating Mequon Homestead 7-1 in the semifinals. Freshman Rhonda Bauman helped propel the Demons to the title game by throwing out two Homestead runners at the plate and driving in the first run of the game for Burlington.
In the Championship game, the Demons faced the Watertown Goslings. With senior pitcher Paula Fisher out of innings, freshman Teresa Fay was called on to pitch for the second time that season. The Goslings jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the third inning. Burlington responded with their first run of the game in the 4th inning to cut the deficit to 5-1. The Demons capitalized on a scoreless Watertown inning by scoring six runs in the 5th inning. Burlington rallied in the 5th with a combination of hits and walks, including three bunt singles to give the Demons a 7-5 lead. Watertown responded with three runs in the top of the 6th to take an 8-7 lead. In the bottom of the 6th inning, Donna Cerwin led off with a single for her third hit of the game. After Cerwin moved to second on an infield out, Barb Madsen hit a line drive down the third base line. The ball hit third base and went into left field, allowing Cerwin to score for the third time and tying the score 8-8. After stealing second, Madsen moved to third on a bunt single by Lisa Robers, who immediately stole second to put runners on second and third with one out. Judy Getka came to the plate and hit a ground ball to the Gosling shortstop, who fired the ball home to tag Madsen out at the plate. On the throw home, Lisa Robers advanced to third. Rhonda Bauman then hit a sharp single past third base to score Robers with the go ahead and eventual winning run. Burlington defeated Watertown 9-8 to win the WIAA Class A Softball Championship.
The Demons finished the 1984 season with a 20-3 record. As a result of their success, the 1984 Burlington Demons softball team became the first girls’ team to appear in a WIAA State Tournament, the first Southern Lakes Conference team to win a WIAA State Softball Championship, and the first girls’ program to win a WIAA State Championship in Burlington High School history. Members of the team were Rhonda Bauman, Ann Biedyzcki, Donna Cerwin, Teresa Fay, Candee Fiebelkorn, Paula Fisher, Leslie Gebel, Judy Getka, Annette Junkins, Rachelle Koenen, Barb Madsen, Barb Oldenberg, Vickie Peterson, Lisa Robers, Jodi Strelow, Michelle Taylor, and team manager, Kelsey Graham. George Barry was the head coach for the Demons and his assistant coach was Deb Linneman. Burlington High School is honored to recognize the 1984 Softball team on the Wall of Fame.