Big Eight Conference (Wisconsin)

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Big Eight Conference Member School Locations in Wisconsin

The Big Eight Conference is a high school athletic conference with its membership concentrated in south central Wisconsin. All member schools are affiliated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Contents

History

Formation and Early Years (1925-1964)

The Big Eight Conference was originally formed in 1925 as the Big Six Conference and its original members were Beloit Memorial, Janesville, Kenosha, Madison Central, Madison East and Racine. [1] It consisted of the largest high schools in southern Wisconsin that were located outside of the greater Milwaukee area and was alternatively known by its official name (the Southern Wisconsin Conference) during its early years. [2] The conference added a seventh high school in 1929, a year after Racine High School split into William Horlick High School on the north side and Washington Park High School on the south side of the city. [3] Park took Racine's place in the conference when it was split in 1928, and Horlick joined the conference a year later. [4] However, it wouldn't be known as the "Big Seven" for long as Madison added a third high school on the west side of the city in 1930, [5] and they immediately became members upon opening. [6] The original Big Eight lineup lasted for over thirty years before rapid growth created a rift that changed its membership in the modern era.

Growing Pains and Split (1964-1970)

As the metropolitan areas of the Big Eight grew, so too did the need for more space for high school students to relieve overcrowding. Madison opened a fourth high school on the city's far east side in 1963 named after Wisconsin politician Robert M. LaFollette. [7] They joined the Big Eight in 1964 along with the new George Nelson Tremper High School on the south side of Kenosha. [8] The existing high school in Kenosha was also renamed after local educator Mary D. Bradford. More changes were on the horizon, and three more recently opened high schools joined the conference. Jerome I. Case High School opened on Racine's west side in 1966, and two others joined in 1967: James Madison Memorial High School [9] (renamed after Wisconsin politician Vel Phillips in 2021 [10] ) on Madison's far west side and George S. Parker High School on Janesville's west side. [11] Janesville's current high school was also named after local politician Joseph A. Craig in the process. [12]

By this time, the Big Eight had ballooned to thirteen members (twelve after Madison Central High School closed in 1969), and along with that growth came greater problems with scheduling and travel. In 1967, the five Madison high schools announced their exit from the Big Eight Conference and gave the three high schools in Rock County the option of joining them in a new conference, which they accepted. [13] The five high schools in Racine and Kenosha formed the South Shore Conference after their forced removal from the Big Eight, [14] which had a tumultuous ten-year history before it was finally disbanded in 1980. [15]

Present Day (1970-present)

With the Madison-area schools having successfully split from those in southeastern Wisconsin, the new-look Big Eight Conference began play in 1970 with seven schools (Beloit Memorial, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Madison East, Madison La Follette, Madison Memorial and Madison West). [16] Membership increased back to eight with the addition of Sun Prairie High School from the Badger Conference in 1977, [17] and in later years the Big Eight added two other large metropolitan Madison high schools: Middleton in 1994 [18] and Verona in 2008 [19] (both formerly of the Badger Conference). Membership stayed at ten schools until 2022, when Sun Prairie High School completed its split into two schools. [20] Sun Prairie High School became Sun Prairie East and Sun Prairie West High School was completed on the west side of the district. The following year, Beloit Memorial left the Big Eight after nearly a century of membership to join the Southern Lakes Conference.

List of Member Schools

Current members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsJoined
Janesville Craig Janesville, WI Public1,684Cougars  1967
Janesville Parker Janesville, WI Public1,429Vikings  1967
Madison East Madison, WI Public1,662Purgolders  1925
Madison La Follette Madison, WI Public1,577Lancers  1964
Madison Memorial Madison, WI Public2,122Spartans  1967
Madison West Madison, WI Public2,226Regents  1930
Middleton Middleton, WI Public2,357Cardinals  1994
Sun Prairie East Sun Prairie, WI Public1,329Cardinals  1963
Sun Prairie West Sun Prairie, WI Public1,347Wolves   2022
Verona Verona, WI Public1,801Wildcats  2008

Former Members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Beloit Memorial Beloit, WI Public1,578Purple Knights  19252023Southern Lakes
Janesville Janesville, WI PublicN/ABluebirds  19251967Split into Craig and Parker High Schools
Kenosha Bradford Kenosha, WI Public1,765Red Devils  19251970South ShoreSoutheast
Kenosha Tremper Kenosha, WI Public1,835Trojans  19641970South ShoreSoutheast
Madison Central Madison, WI PublicN/ATigers  19251969Closed in 1969
Racine Racine, WI PublicN/ABlack and Gold  19251928Split into Horlick and Park High Schools
Racine Case Racine, WI Public1,892Eagles  19661970South ShoreSoutheast
Racine Horlick Racine, WI Public1,360Rebels  19291970South ShoreSoutheast
Racine Park Racine, WI Public1,059Panthers  19281970South ShoreSoutheast

Associate Members

SchoolSport
Fort Atkinson/Cambridge Boys' Volleyball
Edgewood Catholic Boys' Volleyball
Beloit Memorial Boys' Ice Hockey
Sun Prairie East/Sun Prairie West Boys' Ice Hockey

Membership Timeline

Big Eight Conference (Wisconsin)

List of State Champions

Fall Sports

Boys Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Madison West1947Single Division
Racine Park1948Single Division
Racine Park1949Large Schools
Janesville1950Large Schools
Madison West1951Large Schools
Madison West1955Large Schools
Janesville1961Large Schools
Janesville1962Large Schools
Madison West1963Large Schools
Racine Horlick1966Large Schools
Madison Memorial1967Large Schools
Madison Memorial1969Large Schools
Madison Memorial1991Division 1
Madison West2004Division 1
Madison La Follette2006Division 1
Madison La Follette2007Division 1
Madison West2012Division 1
Madison West2014Division 1
Madison West2016Division 1
Middleton2017Division 1
Middleton2019Division 1
Girls Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Madison Memorial1980Class A
Madison Memorial1984Class A
Janesville Craig1991Division 1
Middleton1995Division 1
Middleton1996Division 1
Middleton1997Division 1
Middleton2006Division 1
Sun Prairie2016Division 1
Sun Prairie2017Division 1
Middleton2020-21Alternate Season
Middleton2021Division 1
Football
SchoolYearDivision
Madison West1977Division 1
Sun Prairie1995Division 1
Girls Golf
SchoolYearDivision
Madison West1972Single Division
Madison West1973Single Division
Madison West1974Single Division
Madison West1975Single Division
Madison West1976Single Division
Madison Memorial1977Single Division
Madison Memorial1979Single Division
Madison Memorial1980Single Division
Middleton2009Division 1
Verona2014Division 1
Middleton2015Division 1
Middleton2019Division 1
Middleton2020-21Alternate Season
Boys Soccer
SchoolYearDivision
Madison West1984Single Division
Madison West1987Single Division
Madison West1988Single Division
Middleton2004Division 1
Madison Memorial2006Division 1
Verona2019Division 1
Verona2022Division 1
Middleton2023Division 1
Girls Swimming & Diving
SchoolYearDivision
Madison Memorial1970Single Division
Madison Memorial1971Single Division
Madison Memorial1972Single Division
Madison West1973Single Division
Madison Memorial1974Single Division
Madison Memorial1975Single Division
Madison Memorial1976Single Division
Madison West1977Single Division
Madison Memorial1978Single Division
Madison Memorial1979Single Division
Madison West1980Single Division
Madison West1981Single Division
Madison West1982Single Division
Madison West1983Single Division
Madison West1986Single Division
Madison Memorial1988Single Division
Madison West1989Single Division
Madison West1990Single Division
Madison West1991Single Division
Madison West1992Division 1
Madison Memorial1993Division 1
Madison Memorial1994Division 1
Madison West1995Division 1
Madison West1996Division 1
Madison West1997Division 1
Madison West1998Division 1
Madison Memorial1999Division 1
Madison Memorial2000Division 1
Madison Memorial2001Division 1
Madison East2007Division 1
Middleton2016Division 1
Middleton2017Division 1
Middleton2018Division 1
Middleton2023Division 1
Girls Tennis
SchoolYearDivision
Madison Memorial1987Single Division
Madison Memorial1988Single Division
Middleton2013Division 1
Middleton2020-21Alternate Season
Boys Volleyball
SchoolYearDivision
Madison West1947Single Division
Madison Central1949Single Division
Madison Central1950Single Division
Middleton2023Single Division

Winter Sports

Boys Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Beloit Memorial1932Single Division
Beloit Memorial1933Single Division
Beloit Memorial1934Class A
Beloit Memorial1937Class A
Racine Park1943Single Division
Madison West1945Single Division
Beloit Memorial1947Single Division
Madison East1958Single Division
Beloit Memorial1969Single Division
Janesville Parker1971Single Division
Beloit Memorial1973Class A
Madison La Follette1977Class A
Madison La Follette1982Class A
Madison West1992Division 1
Madison La Follette2002Division 1
Madison Memorial2005Division 1
Madison Memorial2009Division 1
Madison Memorial2011Division 1
Girls Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Madison West1976Class A
Madison West1982Class A
Janesville Parker1993Division 1
Janesville Parker2000Division 1
Janesville Parker2001Division 1
Verona2016Division 1
Gymnastics
SchoolYearDivision
Madison La Follette1983Class A
Madison East1987Class A
Verona/Edgewood2023Division 1
Boys Ice Hockey
SchoolYearDivision
Madison East1973Single Division
Madison East1975Single Division
Madison Memorial1976Single Division
Madison Memorial1977Single Division
Madison East1978Single Division
Madison Memorial1979Single Division
Madison Memorial1980Single Division
Madison West1983Single Division
Madison Memorial1985Single Division
Madison East1987Single Division
Madison Memorial1988Single Division
Sun Prairie1997Single Division
Madison Memorial1998Single Division
Beloit Memorial1999Single Division
Madison Memorial2000Single Division
Verona2014Single Division
Verona2020Division 1
Skating
SchoolYearDivision
Madison Central1926Single Division
Madison Central1928Single Division
Boys Swimming & Diving
SchoolYearDivision
Kenosha1929Single Division
Kenosha1930Single Division
Kenosha1931Single Division
Kenosha1934Single Division
Kenosha1952Single Division
Janesville1955Single Division
Janesville1961Single Division
Beloit Memorial1975Single Division
Beloit Memorial1976Single Division
Madison West1977Single Division
Madison West1978Single Division
Madison West1979Single Division
Madison Memorial1980Single Division
Madison Memorial1981Single Division
Madison West1982Single Division
Madison West1983Single Division
Madison West1984Single Division
Madison West1985Single Division
Madison Memorial1986Single Division
Madison West1987Single Division
Madison West1988Single Division
Madison West1989Single Division
Madison West1990Single Division
Madison West1991Single Division
Madison Memorial1992Single Division
Madison West1993Division 1
Madison Memorial1994Division 1
Madison Memorial1996Division 1
Madison Memorial2005Division 1
Madison Memorial2006Division 1
Madison Memorial2007Division 1
Madison Memorial2009Division 1
Madison Memorial2011Division 1
Madison Memorial2012Division 1
Madison Memorial2013Division 1
Madison Memorial2014Division 1
Madison Memorial2015Division 1
Madison Memorial2016Division 1
Madison West2018Division 1
Madison West2019Division 1
Middleton2020Division 1
Sun Prairie2021Division 1
Middleton2023Division 1
Middleton2024Division 1
Boys Wrestling
SchoolYearDivision
Madison East1955Single Division
Kenosha1956Single Division
Madison West1965Single Division
Racine Park1967Single Division
Racine Park1969Single Division

Spring Sports

Baseball
SchoolYearDivision
Madison Central1949Single Division
Madison West1952Single Division
Kenosha1963Single Division
Beloit Memorial1965Single Division
Madison East1967Single Division
Kenosha Tremper1969Single Division
Janesville Parker1977Single Division
Janesville Craig1983Class A
Janesville Craig1984Class A
Janesville Craig1988Class A
Madison Memorial1990Class A
Madison Memorial1992Division 1
Sun Prairie1994Division 1
Sun Prairie1997Division 1
Middleton2003Division 1
Sun Prairie2005Division 1
Sun Prairie2006Division 1
Sun Prairie2012Division 1
Sun Prairie2013Division 1
Sun Prairie2014Division 1
Janesville Craig2015Division 1
Sun Prairie2021Division 1
Boys Golf
SchoolYearDivision
Kenosha1929Single Division
Racine Park1931Single Division
Beloit Memorial1932Single Division
Madison West1934Single Division
Madison West1935Single Division
Madison West1936Single Division
Beloit Memorial1945Single Division
Racine Park1947Single Division
Racine Park1948Single Division
Madison West1949Single Division
Racine Horlick1950Single Division
Janesville1951Single Division
Racine Horlick1952Single Division
Janesville1953Single Division
Madison West1956Single Division
Madison West1957Single Division
Racine Park1958Single Division
Madison West1960Single Division
Madison West1961Single Division
Madison West1962Single Division
Janesville1963Single Division
Madison East1965Single Division
Madison West1966Single Division
Madison West1967Single Division
Racine Park1968Single Division
Racine Park1970Single Division
Madison Memorial1972Single Division
Madison West1976Single Division
Madison Memorial1984Single Division
Madison West1987Single Division
Madison West1988Class A
Madison Memorial1990Class A
Sun Prairie1991Division 1
Madison West1995Division 1
Middleton1997Division 1
Middleton1998Division 1
Middleton1999Division 1
Madison La Follette2003Division 1
Middleton2011Division 1
Boys Lacrosse
SchoolYearDivision
Middleton2024Single Division
Girls Soccer
SchoolYearDivision
Madison Memorial1986Single Division
Madison Memorial1987Single Division
Madison West1988Single Division
Madison West1991Single Division
Madison West1999Division 1
Madison West2000Division 1
Middleton2006Division 1
Verona2010Division 1
Madison West2012Division 1
Softball
SchoolYearDivision
Madison West1976Single Division
Sun Prairie2018Division 1
Boys Tennis
SchoolYearDivision
Racine Park1931Single Division
Madison West1948Single Division
Boys Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Kenosha1927Class A
Madison West1942Class A
Madison West1944Class A
Kenosha1947Class A
Madison West1948Class A
Beloit Memorial1949Class A
Madison West1951Class A
Madison West1952Class A
Madison West1953Class A
Madison West1956Class A
Kenosha1957Class A
Madison West1964Class A
Kenosha Bradford1965Class A
Racine Horlick1968Class A
Madison La Follette1969Class A
Madison Memorial1970Class A
Racine Case1970Class A
Madison Memorial1973Class A
Beloit Memorial1977Class A
Beloit Memorial1991Division 1
Madison La Follette2002Division 1
Girls Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Madison Memorial1972Class A
Madison Memorial1973Class A
Madison West1974Class A
Madison West1975Class A
Madison East1977Class A
Madison Memorial1977Class A
Madison Memorial1979Class A
Madison West1980Class A
Madison West1981Class A
Madison West1982Class A
Madison West1985Class A
Middleton1997Division 1
Middleton1998Division 1
Madison Memorial2003Division 1

See also

References

  1. ↑ ""Big Six" Gridders Kick Off Saturday". The Capital Times. October 9, 1925. p. 15. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  2. ↑ Sinclair, Frank (November 12, 1926). "Local High Elevens Await Strong Foes, Central Has Even Chance For Title". The Capital Times. p. 15. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Board Acts on H.S. Bond Vote". Racine Journal Times. July 17, 1925. p. 1. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Horlick High Joins "Big Six", 1929 Grid Schedule is Announced". The Capital Times. January 14, 1929. p. 9. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  5. ↑ Noll, Henry (January 24, 1925). "Council Favors New High School for West Side". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Admit Madison West to Prep School Circuit, Big Seven To Become Big Eight". The Capital Times. December 26, 1929. p. 21. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  7. ↑ Bednarek, David (September 10, 1963). "28,000 Give Schools Bustling Start Here". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 15. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Music's in the air, Second high school opens on a clear note". Kenosha News. September 9, 1964. p. 6. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  9. ↑ Brautigam, Richard (June 22, 1965). "Board, By Secret Vote, Names New High School "Madison"". The Capital Times. p. 1. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  10. ↑ Girard, Scott (November 3, 2021). ""Vel Phillips Memorial High School", Committee choses Phillips for renaming of James Madison Memorial". The Capital Times. pp. O16. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Big 8 (to 13) Plans Ahead for Football, Basketball". Janesville Weekly Gazette. May 10, 1966. p. 12. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  12. ↑ "2 Senior Highs Are Named For Geo. Parker, J.A. Craig". Janesville Weekly Gazette. May 12, 1965. p. 1. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Big Eight is disbanding". Kenosha News. August 12, 1967. p. 11. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Tremper, Bradford in new conference". Kenosha News. July 10, 1969. p. 15. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Kenosha pays costs of plan". Kenosha News Courier. March 27, 1979. p. 9. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  16. ↑ Lindstrom, Don (September 3, 1970). "Memorial Sticks to the Air". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 28. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Sun Prairie rips Watertown". Wisconsin State Journal. September 10, 1977. p. 14. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  18. ↑ Semrau, Dennis (September 29, 1992). "WIAA committee rejects tournament seeding". The Capital Times. p. 14. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  19. ↑ "WIAA approves another realignment". Wisconsin Dells Events. November 8, 2006. p. 10. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  20. ↑ Rickert, Chris (April 3, 2019). "Major school projects get approved". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. A11. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
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