Cheesehead Champion June 2026: Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
- Steph Schmid
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
More Than Baseball: How the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters Are Showing Up for Our Community
Summertime in Wisconsin Rapids means a night (or two) at Witter Field, hot dog in hand, watching the Rafters play. ⚾
In a previous role as a marketing professional, I had the chance to work alongside the Rafters organization. And even back then, one thing was clear, this team has always been about more than what happens on the field.
This season proves it more than ever.
On June 15th, the Rafters hosted Mental Health Night, teaming up with NAMI Portage and Wood Counties, Opportunity for Hope, and Three Bridges Recovery. Fans came out for a ballgame and left with real tools to support their mental health and a reminder that we all desire a sense of belonging. That's not a typical promotional night. That's a team using their platform for something that actually matters.
And just a few weeks ago, the Rafters teamed up with Mid-State Technical College for something even bigger.
Every Thursday the Rafters play at Witter Field, registered Mid-State students - future, current, or previous - have a chance to win a $500 scholarship. It's called Free Tuition Thursday, and on June 16th, Sierra Rowe became this year's first winner, earning $500 toward her first semester studying Criminal Justice and Community Advocacy.
But here's the part that made me sit up - during the third inning, if the Rafters strike out the first three batters of the opposing team in a row, the chosen contestant doesn't just win a scholarship. They win FREE tuition to Mid-State. Valued up to $15,000.
Think about that for a second. A baseball game has the power to change someone's entire educational future.
And on June 27th, the Rafters partnered with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and the Port Edwards Fire Department to fight childhood cancer one cup at a time. Families and community members stopped by for a cold glass of lemonade, or simply drove through to make a donation, and together they raised $470 for childhood cancer research.
As the Port Edwards Fire Department put it: "While it may seem like a small gesture, together we're helping fund research that gives kids more treatment options, more hope, and more birthdays."
That's the kind of community this team builds. One scholarship, one mental health resource, one cup of lemonade at a time.
And it doesn't stop there. The Rafters also bring on local young professionals as interns in communications and media each season. Giving students real, hands-on experience in a field that can be hard to break into. They've built an entire ecosystem of giving back that goes far beyond what most people realize when they walk through the gates.
One more thing worth mentioning- I'll be at Witter Field this Thursday, July 2nd, volunteering with For Nekoosa, the nonprofit I serve on the board for. We'll be running the 50/50 raffle that night, with proceeds going directly toward For Nekoosa's mission of preserving and growing community traditions right here in Wisconsin Rapids.
If you're at the game, stop by and say hi. Buy a raffle ticket. You might just win… either way, you're supporting something good. ⚾ ❤️
So the next time you're at Witter Field cheering on the Rafters, know that your ticket is doing more than buying you a seat. It's supporting a team that shows up for Wisconsin Rapids in ways that actually move the needle for education, for community, for the next generation of professionals.
Know a Wisconsin business or person making moves and making a difference? The Cheesehead Champion spotlight is my way of celebrating the people and businesses that make this state worth showing up for - and it's completely free. Comment below and tell me who deserves the next one. 🧀
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Written by Steph Schmid, founder of Wisco Branding.
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