Class of 1976 - Tennis

Gary Taxman was one of the most successful tennis players in the long and rich history of the Nicolet Tennis program. Growing up, Gary was always ranked as one of the top tennis players in the country, but he was very modest about his talent and would often downplay his success. Having played under legendary Nicolet Hall of Fame coach Cary Bachman, Gary has the unique distinction of winning both a Singles and Doubles State Tennis championship. He also was inducted into the Nicolet Tennis Hall of Fame in November of 1976.

As a freshman in the spring of 1973, Gary and his teammate, John Mikkleson, won the conference, regional, sectional and State Doubles championships. Nicolet’s team also finished first in the conference, regional, sectional and State competitions. In 1974, Gary won the conference, regional, sectional and State Singles championships, and was named the team’s MVP. Nicolet again finished first in the conference, regional, sectional and State tournaments.

In 1975, Gary began wearing a cumbersome back brace during all competitions, but despite the obvious impact this had on his maneuverability, he was the conference, regional, and sectional Singles champion, and managed to take 3rd place at State. Gary was also named a team captain, and the Knights took 2nd place at State. In his senior year of 1976, still competing in a back brace, Gary again finished in 3rd place in the State Singles tournament, won his second team MVP award, and helped the Knights take first place in both conference and State. Gary was also named a National High School All American in 1976.

After graduation, Gary attended the University of North Carolina on an athletic scholarship, where he won Singles and Doubles conference titles as a freshman and a sophomore for the Tar Heels. As a junior and senior, Gary played #1 Singles and Doubles. In his senior year, Gary received the Atlantic Coast Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award while also being named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll. Upon his college graduation, Gary returned to Fox Point with his wife Marci, where they raised three children who are all Nicolet alums. At the time of his induction into the Nicolet Athletic Hall of Fame, Gary was still playing tennis, but without the constraints of his brace!

1993-2015 - Special Contributor

Mr. & Mrs. Jim & Karyl Rosenberg began working athletic events when they were in high school. Together they went on to become student athletic trainers at WSU (now UW) Lacrosse. While students at UW-Milwaukee, they worked at athletic events at Homestead High School as part of volunteer activities connected to teacher training courses at that university.When Karyl began working at Nicolet High School as a science teacher in 1991, she took the opportunity to help at various athletic events as a chaperone, ticket seller and sideline assistant for home track meets and football games. When Jim arrived at Nicolet in 2004, first as a supervisory aide then special education para-professional, he immediately immersed himself as well in the school’s athletic activities. He soon became a fixture at home sporting events and provided support wherever necessary. Jim helped develop many new and creative ways to promote Nicolet Athletics and to assure that all athletes, coaches and spectators were given the best possible experience. He worked freshman, JV and Varsity regular season events and helped make Nicolet a terrific host for WIAA Regional and Sectional main events. Jim also encouraged Karyl to get more involved in a variety of different ways which led her to singing the National Anthem at Softball games and Wrestling meets as well as re-opening the Nicolet Knight Spirit Store with support from the Nicolet Booster Club. Karyl worked athletic events at Nicolet until 2013 and Jim continued until 2015. The list of Nicolet sports and the number of student-athletes and coaches that benefitted from Karyl and Jim Rosenberg’s efforts are too many to list. Their impact is ever lasting and it is only fitting they know can be immortalized amongst the greatest athletes and coaches in the history of Nicolet High School. Karyl mentions “being part of all these activities was a wonderful experience for Jim and I and the memories will never grow old. Once a Knight, Always a Knight”.