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WIAA football-only conference realignment proposal would drastically alter state's landscape

12/08/2022, 12:15am CST
By Travis Wilson

At its December meeting, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Conference Realignment Task Force reviewed a number of football-only proposals from member schools and voted on those requests, with an preliminary statewide realignment plan advanced for additional consideration for both 8-player and 11-player football.

The Conference Realignment Task Force applied the following rationale to submitted plans and in developing modifications to submitted plans:

1. Provide a conference for all member schools

a. Group by enrollment
b. Group by geography

2. Work to maintain 8-team conferences with possible paired conferences if necessary and appropriate

Under the plan as currently presented, 105 teams in 11-player football would change conferences in 2024. Another dozen would make the move from 11-player to 8-player during that time, as barring any forfeits or season cancelations, the total number of 11-play squads would dip to 366.

Only 17 of the 49 current conferences would NOT be impacted at all by this round of realignment: Big Eight, Big East, Classic Eight, Cloverbelt, Dairyland, Greater Metro, Metro Classic, Midwest Classic, Mississippi Valley, North Shore, Packerland, Parkland, Rock Valley, Southeast, Southern Lakes, Flyway, and Woodland.

The Six Rivers would no longer exist as a football conference, with several teams exiting for 8-player over the years, while the remainder would be split between the SWAL and the Ridge & Valley (which would now have just one team in it that competes in the Ridge & Valley for all other sports, Wauzeka-Steuben). The Lakeland would no longer exist as an 11-player conference either, with many teams having already moved to 8-player, and the remainder scattered between the Dunn-St. Croix and Heart O'North-Small.

The venerable Marawood Conference would cease to exist for football as well, with several of the teams moving to 8-player a couple years ago and others spread through the CWC-Small and CWC-Large.

The VFA and Big Rivers would combine to form two new leagues, the Big Rivers/VFA-East and the Big Rivers/VFA-West. Teams from the FRCC-North, FRCC-South, and FVA, along with Hortonville moving back to the group from the VFA, would be rearranged into three new groupings of eight teams. 

The Heart O'North would become two different conferences, the Heart O'North-Small and Heart O'North-Large. 

The six-member Badger-Small and East Central would play two crossovers. Leagues with seven members that would play one crossover contest include the Bay and North Eastern, Big Rivers/VFA-East and Big Rivers/VFA-West, and Dunn-St. Croix and Heart O'North-Small.

Abundant Life Christian/Saint Ambrose and Saint Mary Catholic move back to 11-player after previously competing in 8-player. New teams becoming playoff-eligible in 11-player starting in 2024 include Milwaukee Academy of Science and Kingdom Prep.

In 8-player football, every conference would get a new name, though there would still be nine leagues in 8-player, just as there are currently. The number of teams participating in 8-player would expand to 67, though not all would be eligible for the playoffs because of the 200-student, three-year average enrollment cap. A total of 12 new teams will move to 8-player beginning in 2024, with several others earning playoff eligibility after previously switching to 8-player outside the designated cycle.

These conference affiliations would apply in 2024 and 2025, with a new round of statewide realignment that would take place in 2026.

The Task Force's proposal has been published for schools to review, and the group will meet again virtually in early January to give newly affected schools an opportunity to appear and be heard. The following week, the Task Force will hear appeals and additional feedback from schools, modifying and finalizing any changes and solutions. 

If necessary, the Task Force will meet again in February to hear from affected schools and review any new submissions or solutions. The full Conference Realignment Flow Chart can be viewed here.

A final Realignment Proposal will then be forwarded to the WIAA Board of Control, which will meet in March to vote on the plans and has final authority over conference realignment.



WIAA Conference Realignment Task Force Preliminary Proposal


Conference Realignment Plans Submitted by Schools

Ashland - Proposed Conference leaving:  Great Northern;   Proposed Conference entering: Heart O' North 

Berlin - Proposed Conference leaving:  East Central;   Proposed Conference entering: South Central

Cudahy- Proposed Conference leaving:  Woodland;  Proposed  Conference entering: Midwest Classic

Dodgeland- Proposed Conference leaving:  Eastern Suburban;   Proposed Conference entering: Trailways

Flambeau - Proposed Conference leaving:  Lakeland;   Conference entering: Proposed Central WIsconsin (8 Player)

Green Bay West - Proposed Conference leaving:  Fox River Classic (South);  Proposed  Conference entering: Bay

Highland - Proposed Conference leaving:  Ridge & Valley;   Proposed Conference entering: 8 Player West

Hortonville - Proposed Conference leaving:  Valley Football Association;  Proposed  Conference entering: Fox River Classic - South

Milton- Proposed Conference leaving:  Badger- Large;   Proposed Conference entering: Badger - Small

Monticello - Proposed Conference leaving:  Capital;   Proposed Conference entering: Ridge & Valley 8 Player

Nekoosa - Proposed Conference leaving:  Central Wisconsin Large;   Proposed Conference entering: South Central

New Glarus - Proposed Conference leaving:  Capitol;   Proposed Conference entering: Southwest Wisconsin Activities

Oshkosh West - Proposed Conference leaving:  Fox Valley Association;   Proposed Conference entering: Fox River Classic

Palmyra-Eagle - Proposed Conference leaving:  Eastern Suburban   Proposed Conference entering: Trailways

Parkview - Proposed Conference leaving: Southwest Wisconsin Activities;   Proposed Conference entering: Eastern Suburban

Pittsville - Proposed Conference leaving:  Marawood South;  Proposed  Conference entering: Central Wisconsin-Small

Pius XI Catholic - Proposed Conference leaving:  Parkland;   Proposed Conference entering: Midwest Classic

Portage - Proposed Conference leaving:  Badger- North;   Proposed Conference entering: South Central

Prentice - Proposed Conference leaving:  Lakeland;   Proposed Conference entering: 8 Player

Princeton - Proposed Conference leaving:  South Central;   Proposed Conference entering: Ridge & Valley 8 Player

Rib Lake - Proposed Conference leaving:  Lakeland;   Proposed Conference entering: Central Wisconsin East 8 Player

Rice Lake - Proposed Conference leaving: Middle Border;  Proposed  Conference entering: Big Rivers

Roncalli - Proposed Conference leaving: Middle Border;   Proposed Conference entering: Big East

Saint Mary Catholic - Proposed Conference leaving: Ridge & Valley 8 Player;   Proposed Conference entering: Central Wisconsin Large

Sheboygan Falls - Proposed Conference leaving: East Central;   Proposed Conference entering: Eastern Wisconsin

Shiocton - Proposed Conference leaving: Central Wisconsin Large;   Proposed Conference entering: Central Wisconsin Large

Southwestern - Proposed Conference leaving: Six Rivers;   Proposed Conference entering: Southwest Wisconsin Activities

Waukesha North - Proposed Conference leaving: Classic Eight;  Proposed  Conference entering: Greater Metro

Waupun - Proposed Conference leaving: Eastern Wisconsin;   Proposed Conference entering: South Central’

Webster - Proposed Conference leaving: Lakeland North;   Proposed Conference entering: Dunn-St. Croix

West Allis Central - Proposed Conference leaving: Greater Metro;  Proposed  Conference entering: Woodland

Wild Rose - Proposed Conference leaving: Central Wisconsin Small;   Proposed Conference entering: Central Wisconsin 8 Player

Teams moving from 8-player to 11-player

Abundant Life Christian - Conference leaving: Ridge & Valley; Proposed Conference entering Trailways

Saint Mary Catholic - Conference leaving Ridge & Valley; Proposed Conference entering Central Wisconsin Large

Teams moving from Independent to 11-player

Kingdom Lutheran Prep - Proposed Conference entering Midwest

Teams moving from Independent to 8-Player

South Shore - Proposed conference entering Lakeland North

Valley Christian (Oshkosh) - Proposed Conference entering any 8 player


WIAA Conference Realignment Task Force Votes on Proposals

Abundant Life Christian

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Ashland

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Berlin

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Cudahy

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward.

Vote: Yes 1  No 15

Dodgeland

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Flambeau

Decision:   A modified, universal 8-player plan will move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Green Bay West

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Highland

Decision:   A modified, universal 8-player plan will move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Hortonville

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Kingdom Prep 

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward; however Kingdom Prep will be placed in a conference in a modified plan.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Milton

Decision:   This recommendation did not move forward due to modifications in the 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Monticello

Decision:   A modified, universal 8-player plan will move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Nekoosa

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

New Glarus

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Oshkosh West

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Palmyra-Eagle

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Parkview

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Pittsville

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Pius XI Catholic

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward.

Vote: Yes 1  No 15

Portage

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Prentice

Decision:   This recommendation was modified as will move forward as part of the preliminary 8-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Princeton

Decision:   A modified, universal 8-player plan will move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Rib Lake

Decision:   A modified, universal 8-player plan will move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Rice Lake

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Roncalli

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

Saint Mary Catholic

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Sheboygan Falls

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Shiocton

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16

South Shore

Decision: A modified, universal 8-player plan will move forward.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Southwestern

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Waukesha North

Decision:   This recommendation will not move forward.

Vote: Yes 1  No 15

Waupun

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Webster

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

West Allis Central

Decision:   This recommendation was modified and will move forward as part of the preliminary 11-player plan.

Vote: Yes 16  No 0

Wild Rose

Decision:   A modified, universal 8-player plan will move forward.

Vote: Yes 0  No 16      


About the Author

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.

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