Capitol Conference (Wisconsin)

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The Capitol Conference is a high school athletic conference in south central Wisconsin. It was founded in 1969, and its member schools are affiliated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA).

Contents

History

1969-1994

Capitol Conference (Wisconsin)
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Location of Original Capitol Conference Members

The Capitol Conference was formed in 1969 after the breakup of the larger Madison Suburban Conference into three separate organizations. Six of its original members came from the conference's Western section (Lodi, McFarland, Poynette, Verona, Waunakee and Wisconsin Heights) and two came from the Central section (DeForest and Waterloo). [1] In 1977, Poynette left to rejoin the Dual County Conference (having previously been a member from 1926 to 1954) [2] and Waterloo became a member of the Eastern Suburban Conference. [3] Two schools moved over from the Central Suburban Conference (Columbus and Lake Mills) to take their place and keep the conference at eight member schools. [4] Mount Horeb joined the Capitol Conference after leaving the Southern Eight Conference in 1983, [5] replacing Lake Mills, who briefly joined the Eastern Suburban Conference. [6] In 1987, DeForest and Waunakee left to become the newest members of the Badger Conference [7] with Lake Mills and Poynette rejoining the Capitol Conference as their replacements. [8] [9]

1994-2006

By 1994, the Verona Area School District was the fastest-growing district in the Madison area, and they were invited to enter the Badger Conference with an eye towards continued future growth. [10] Lakeside Lutheran in Lake Mills took their place in 1995 after leaving the Eastern Suburban Conference, renewing their crosstown rivalry with Lake Mills. [11] Cambridge, Marshall and Waterloo followed Lakeside Lutheran out of the Eastern Suburban in 2001, offsetting the loss of Lodi and Poynette to the South Central Conference and McFarland and Mount Horeb to the Badger Conference. [12] For Waterloo, this was their second stint in the conference after having been a member from 1969 to 1977. The Capitol Conference would remain a seven-member league for the next five years before major changes would occur.

2006-present

In 2006, the Capitol Conference reached its high of twelve member schools when Lodi and Poynette rejoined from the South Central Conference, Belleville and New Glarus came over from the Six Rivers Conference and Luther Prep in Watertown was added after being displaced from the Parkland Conference when it ceased operations. With the addition of the new schools came realignment into the Capitol North and Capitol South divisions: [13]

Capitol NorthCapitol South
ColumbusBelleville
Lake MillsCambridge
Lakeside LutheranMarshall
LodiNew Glarus
Luther PrepWaterloo
PoynetteWisconsin Heights

This alignment stayed intact for sixteen years before Luther Prep exited the conference to rejoin the Midwest Classic Conference in 2023. [14] In 2025, Waupun joined from the disbanded East Central Conference, taking Luther Prep's place in the Capitol North. [15]

Football-only alignment

In February 2019, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association, the WIAA released a sweeping football-only realignment for Wisconsin to commence with the 2020 football season and run on a two-year cycle. [16] Eight schools were designated as football members for the Capitol Conference: Big Foot, Columbus, Horicon/Hustisford, Lake Mills, Lakeside Lutheran, Lodi, Luther Prep and Turner. [17] The Capitol Conference also operates a small-school division consisting of Cambridge, Clinton, Dodgeland, Markesan, Marshall, Palmyra-Eagle, Pardeeville and Waterloo. This conference competes under the Eastern Suburban Conference banner, which was the name of an all-sport conference that last played in 2001. [18] Several schools entering the Capitol Conference for football had primary affiliations with the Rock Valley and Trailways Conferences. In 2022, Horicon/Hustisford moved over to the Eastern Suburban Conference and Luther Prep left to join the Midwest Classic Conference. The six remaining schools in the Capitol Conference welcomed Edgewood from the Rock Valley Cofnerence and New Glarus/Monticello from the Southwest Wisconsin Conference to bring the roster to eight schools. [19] Three schools left the Capitol Conference football alignment in 2024: Edgewood and Lakeside Lutheran left the Capitol Conference as football members in 2024 to join the Badger Conference, and New Glarus returned to the Southwest Wisconsin Conference after a two-year absence. The two outgoing schools were replaced by Clinton and Horicon/Hustisford, with the latter making their return from the Eastern Suburban Conference. [20] Horicon/Hustisford will be returning to the Eastern Suburban Conference for the 2026-2027 realignment cycle, and their position will be taken by East Troy, moving over from the Rock Valley Conference. [21]

List of conference members

Current members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedDivision
Belleville Belleville, WI Public279Wildcats  2006 [13] South
Cambridge Cambridge, WI Public266Bluejays  2001 [12] South
Columbus Columbus, WI Public390Cardinals  1977 [4] North
Lake Mills Lake Mills, WI Public491L-Cats  1977, [4] 1987 [8] North
Lakeside Lutheran Lake Mills, WI Private (Lutheran, WELS)506Warriors  1995 [11] North
Lodi Lodi, WI Public451Blue Devils  1969, [1] 2006 [13] North
Marshall Marshall, WI Public292Cardinals  2001 [12] South
New Glarus New Glarus, WI Public323Glarner Knights  2006 [13] South
Poynette Poynette, WI Public310Pumas  1969, [1] 1987, [9] 2006 [13] North
Waterloo Waterloo, WI Public259Pirates  1969, [1] 2001 [12] South
Waupun Waupun, WI Public573Warriors  2025 [15] North
Wisconsin Heights Mazomanie, WI Publid228Vanguards  1969 [1] South

Current football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsJoinedPrimary Conference
Big Foot Walworth, WI Public449Chiefs  2020 [17] Rock Valley
Clinton Clinton, WI Public359Cougars  2024 [20] Rock Valley
Horicon/
Hustisford 		Horicon, WI Public380Marshmen  2020, [17] 2024 [20] Trailways
Turner Beloit, WI Public460Trojans  2020 [17] Rock Valley

Future football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoiningPrimary Conference
East Troy East Troy, WI Public504Trojans  2026 [21] Rock Valley

Former members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
DeForest DeForest, WI Public1,093Norskies  1969 [1] 1987 [7] Badger
McFarland McFarland, WI Public774Spartans  1969 [1] 2001 [12] Badger
Verona Verona, WI Public1,801Wildcats  1969 [1] 1994 [10] Badger Big Eight
Waunakee Waunakee, WI Public1,309Warriors  1969 [1] 1987 [7] Badger
Mount Horeb Mount Horeb, WI Public792Vikings  1983 [5] 2001 [12] Badger
Luther Prep Watertown, WI Public (Lutheran, WELS)407Phoenix  2006 [13] 2023 [14] Midwest Classic

Former football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsSeasonsPrimary Conference
Edgewood Madison, WI Private (Catholic)569Crusaders  2022-2023 [19] Badger
Clinton Clinton, WI Public359Cougars  2024 [20] Capitol

Membership timeline

Capitol Conference (Wisconsin)

 Capitol North Capitol South

Football membership (since 2020)

Capitol Conference (Wisconsin)

Membership map

Capitol Conference
Capitol Conference (Wisconsin)
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19miles
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10
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Location of Capitol Conference full members:
1
Belleville
2
Cambridge
3
Columbus
4
Lake Mills
5
Lakeside Lutheran
6
Lodi
7
Marshall
8
New Glarus
9
Poynette
10
Waterloo
11
Waupun
12
Wisconsin Heights

List of state champions

Fall sports

Boys Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Wisconsin Heights1973Small Schools
Verona1974Class B
Verona1982Class B
Verona1991Division 2
McFarland1996Division 2
Lakeside Lutheran1999Division 2 (WISAA)
Lakeside Lutheran2023Division 2
Girls Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Verona1980Class B
Verona1981Class B
Mount Horeb1983Class B
Verona1984Class B
Mount Horeb1990Division 2
Mount Horeb1994Division 2
Mount Horeb1995Division 2
Lakeside Lutheran2007Division 2
Football
SchoolYearDivision
DeForest1982Division 4
Columbus1990Division 4
Columbus1996Division 4
Lodi2017Division 4
Columbus2022Division 4
Lodi2023Division 4
Boys Soccer
SchoolYearDivision
Columbus2008Division 3
Sugar River co-op

(Belleville/New Glarus)

2023Division 3
Girls Volleyball
SchoolYearDivision
Waunakee1985Class B
Waunakee1986Class B
Wisconsin Heights2008Division 3
Waterloo2014Division 3
Waterloo2015Division 3
Lakeside Lutheran2017Division 2

Winter sports

Boys Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
McFarland1973Class B
McFarland1974Class C
Marshall2002Division 3
New Glarus2019Division 4
Girls Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
McFarland1983Class B
McFarland1999Division 2
Lakeside Lutheran2001Division 3
Columbus2002Division 2
Columbus2003Division 2
Marshall2018Division 3
Marshall2019Division 3
Lake Mills2021Division 2
Gymnastics
SchoolYearDivision
Lake Mills1979Class B
Lake Mills1980Class B
Mount Horeb1984Class B
Mount Horeb1993Division 2
Boys Swimming & Diving
SchoolYearDivision
Verona1993Division 2
Boys Wrestling
SchoolYearDivision
Lodi1998Division 2
Lodi2008Division 2

Spring sports

Baseball
SchoolYearDivision
Wisconsin Heights1989Class C
Lodi2013Division 2
Wisconsin Heights2014Division 3
Boys Golf
SchoolYearDivision
Mount Horeb1988Class B
Lodi1990Class B
Lodi1996Division 2
Lake Mills1997Division 3
Lodi1998Division 2
Lodi2015Division 2
Cambridge2023Division 3
Softball
SchoolYearDivision
Waunakee1987Class B
Poynette1998Division 2
Poynette2011Division 3
Poynette2018Division 3
Poynette2019Division 3
Poynette2022Division 2
Boys Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
McFarland1977Class C
Verona1992Division 2
Sugar River co-op

(Belleville/New Glarus)

2012Division 2
Cambridge2018Division 3
Lodi2021Division 2
Lakeside Lutheran2023Division 2
Lakeside Lutheran2024Division 2
Girls Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Lake Mills1974Class B
Lake Mills1980Class B
Verona1984Class B
Verona1985Class B
Lake Mills1986Class B
Verona1991Division 2
Mount Horeb/Barneveld1996Division 2
McFarland2001Division 2
Columbus2004Division 2
Lakeside Lutheran2005Division 2
Lakeside Lutheran2006Division 2

List of conference champions

Boys Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Columbus121978, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2003, 2022, 2023
Marshall122002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021
McFarland111973, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Lakeside Lutheran102004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2023
Lake Mills71980, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025
Lodi52012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2022
New Glarus52017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024
Wisconsin Heights51975, 1981, 1982, 2000, 2010
Waterloo41971, 1972, 1973, 1976
Waunakee41977, 1984, 1986, 1987
Belleville32022, 2023, 2024
Poynette31970, 2014, 2015
Cambridge22011, 2025
DeForest21983, 1985
Luther Prep22007, 2010
Mount Horeb21995, 2001
Verona21989, 1991
Waupun0

Girls Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Columbus171990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
McFarland101978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Marshall82013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Lakeside Lutheran72006, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Lake Mills62019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Belleville52008, 2010, 2011, 2022, 2025
New Glarus52007, 2008, 2022, 2023, 2024
Wisconsin Heights51975, 1976, 1977, 1988, 2017
Cambridge42008, 2009, 2012, 2022
Mount Horeb41989, 1993, 1994, 1997
Lodi31984, 2013, 2019
Waunakee31985, 1986, 1987
Poynette22017, 2025
Verona21991, 1993
DeForest0
Luther Prep0
Waterloo0
Waupun0

Football

SchoolQuantityYears
Columbus141977, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2024
Marshall102001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015
Waunakee101969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1985
Lodi91971, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2023
DeForest71979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986
Lakeside Lutheran72001, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018
Cambridge62004, 2008, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019
McFarland51973, 1976, 1995, 1997, 2000
Lake Mills41987, 1988, 2019, 2021
New Glarus/
Monticello		42009, 2013, 2016, 2017
Poynette31989, 1999, 2010
Waterloo32001, 2009, 2015
Verona21970, 1971
Belleville12017
Mount Horeb11984
Wisconsin Heights11998
Belleville/
Albany		0
Big Foot0
Clinton0
Edgewood0
Horicon/
Hustisford		0
Luther Prep0
Turner0

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Dommershausen, Joe (8 June 1969). "New Area Conferences Finish Organization". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 26. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  2. ↑ Hillstrom, Eric (1 September 1977). "Most interesting prep season ahead". The Capital Times. p. 18. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "Husty Aims for Winning Repeat". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. 1 September 1977. p. 13. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 Dommershausen, Joe (31 August 1977). "Waunakee is coaches' choice". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 26. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Mount Horeb prepares for a new group of foes". Wisconsin State Journal. 28 August 1983. pp. 49 (Football '83 insert). Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "Changes made in conferences". Waukesha County Freeman. 24 August 1983. pp. 12-C. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 McMillin Jr., Miles (27 August 1987). "Conference changes greet start of prep football". The Capital Times. p. 23. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  8. 1 2 McMillin, Miles (27 August 1987). "Conference changes greet start of prep football". The Capital Times. p. 23. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  9. 1 2 Hibner, Perry (15 October 1987). "Poynette adjusts to Capitol Conference". Portage Daily Register. p. 6. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  10. 1 2 Semrau, Dennis (19 September 1992). "Middleton, Verona to move". The Capital Times. p. 15. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  11. 1 2 Semrau, Dennis (24 August 1994). "Capitol to add Lakeside Lutheran". The Capital Times. p. 15. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hernandez, Rob (27 January 2000). "Realignment set for 2001". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 22. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Semrau, Dennis (13 April 2006). "Conference realignment issue won't disappear". The Capital Times. p. 47. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  14. 1 2 Masson, Jon (15 January 2022). "Realignment plan takes step forward". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. B6. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Conference Realignment Archive (see Approved Plans, 2023-24)". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  16. ↑ "Revised Football-Only Conference Plan Released". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. 9 February 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "WFCA/WIAA Football-Only Realignment Proposal" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  18. ↑ Schwab, Frank (25 January 2001). "Valley Christian ready to join new Trailways league". Oshkosh Northwestern. pp. E4. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  19. 1 2 "Proposed Football Only Conference Alignment - 11-Player" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. 11 February 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "2024-25 Conference Realignment Plan – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  21. 1 2 "2026 - 27 Conference Realignment – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
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