2025 Katie Award Recipient - Lee Zarnott
Each year, the Mayville Athletic Booster Club presents the Katie Award in memory of Katie Schwichtenberg to honor exceptional support of Mayville Athletics. The 2025 recipient is Lee Zarnott.
Lee grew up and attended High School in Berlin, WI where his father was a well known coach and Middle school principal. In high school, he competed in track, golf, basketball, and tennis before continuing his athletic career at Ripon College. There, he earned All-Conference honors in basketball and track, set several basketball records, and was inducted into the Ripon Hall of Fame in 2004.
Lee began his teaching in Herman and later became a principal in Green Lake, where he met his wife, Peg. In 2003, they moved to Mayville when Lee became the high school principal. Their daughters, Kathleen and Mary, proudly competed for the Cardinals with Lee and Peg as their biggest fans at every event.
Throughout his 19 years in Mayville, Lee became, and continues to be, a passionate ambassador of the athletic programs. He has volunteered as a basketball coach, club supervisor, referee, track meet clerk, football chain gang member, basketball scout, and lead vehicle driver for cross country meets—where he remains undefeated. He has also mentored countless young coaches and parents, sharing his wisdom, encouragement and never ending positivity.
When there isn’t a home contest in Mayville, Lee enjoys traveling to away games and is a popular figure in gyms and fields across southern Wisconsin. While Lee's commitment to athletics is impressive, his most important quality is the interest and investment he makes in each Mayville student-athlete, following their athletic and personal journeys long after graduation.
Lee supports the Mayville community as a long standing member of the Mayville Lions Club. He also supports athletic programs across southern Wisconsin by participating in golf outings and fundraisers for numerous organizations. As a customer service rep for Ripon Athletics, (who is now one of our outing sponsors), Lee continues to be actively involved with athletes at all levels as well as supporting the Booster club by promoting our events, volunteering for Christmas tree sales and playing in the golf outing. Lee recorded his second career hole-in-one during the 2024 Booster Club outing.
The Mayville Athletic Booster Club is proud to honor Lee Zarnott with the 2025 Katie Award for his ongoing commitment and support of Mayville Athletics.