Eastern Suburban Conference

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The Eastern Suburban Conference is a former high school athletic conference in Wisconsin, originally formed in 1969 and disbanding in 2001. With the exception of the conference's two private schools, all members belonged to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association and were located in south central Wisconsin. In 2020, the Eastern Suburban Conference name was revived for use by a current football-only conference.

Contents

History

1969-1977

Eastern Suburban Conference
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Location of Original Eastern Suburban Conference Members

The Eastern Suburban Conference was formed in 1969 after the dissolution of the eighteen-member Madison Suburban Conference. Six of its original members were part of that conference's Eastern Section (Cambridge, Deerfield, Johnson Creek, Juneau-Reeseville, Lakeside Lutheran in Lake Mills, and Marshall) with Palmyra and Queen of Apostles in Madison rounding out the original membership roster. [1] Juneau-Reeseville (later renamed Dodgeland) left the conference after only one season to become a charter member of the newly created Flyway Conference. [2] They were replaced by Hustisford and Williams Bay, formerly of the Fox Valley Tri-County League and Indian Trails Conference, respectively. [3]

1977-1987

Waterloo joined the Eastern Suburban Conference from the Capitol Conference in 1977, [4] and two years later, Queen of Apostles High School left the conference after it was closed by the Catholic order (Pallotine Fathers and Brothers of Milwaukee) that ran the school. [5] They were replaced in 1980 by Dodgeland, making their return to the Eastern Suburban after ten years of competition as members of the Flyway Conference. [6] Lake Mills became members of the conference after exiting the Capitol Conference in 1983, giving Lakeside Lutheran a crosstown rival for conference play. [7] For a three-year period, the Eastern Suburban Conference was partitioned into Northern and Southern divisions:

Northern DivisionSouthern Division
DodgelandCambridge
HustisfordDeerfield
Lakeside LutheranJohnson Creek
MarshallLake Mills
WaterlooPalmyra-Eagle
Williams Bay

1987-2001

Eastern Suburban Conference
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Location of Final Eastern Suburban Conference Members

Lake Mills' stint in the Eastern Suburban Cofnerence was short-lived, as they returned to the Capitol Conference in 1987. [8] Palmyra-Eagle would leave the Eastern Suburban to join the Rock Valley Conference in 1990, [9] and in 1991, the Eastern Suburban and Dual County Conferences traded members for their football-only alignments. Gone were the three smallest schools in the conference (Deerfield, Hustisford and Johnson Creek), and in its place entered the three largest schools from the Dual County (Montello, Pardeeville and Westfield). [10] Lakeside Lutheran would make their exit from the Eastern Suburban Conference in 1995 for membership in the Capitol Conference. [11] The Eastern Suburban Conference would end its run in 2001 with three schools (Cambridge, Marshall and Waterloo) joining the Capitol Conference and the remaining five (Deerfield, Dodgeland, Hustisford, Johnson Creek and Williams Bay) joining with the Dual County Conference to create the new Trailways Conference. [12]

2020-present (football-only)

Eastern Suburban Conference
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Location of Current Eastern Suburban Football Conference Members

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. [13] The Eastern Suburban Conference name, dormant since the all-sport conference was disbanded in 2001, was resurrected for an eight-member conference including Cambridge, Clinton, Dodgeland, Markesan, Marshall, Palmyra-Eagle, Pardeeville and Waterloo. [14] Six members of the football-only Eastern Suburban Conference (Cambridge, Dodgeland, Marshall, Palmyra-Eagle, Pardeeville and Waterloo) were also members of the previous football-only alignment from 1991 to 2000. The new conference was originally referred to as the Capitol Small in preseason realignment materials, but was renamed before starting play and is part of the Capitol Conference's organizational structure. In 2022, Pardeeville exited the Eastern Suburban to join the Trailways Conference, where they had all-sport affiliation. They were replaced by Horicon/Hustisford, formerly of the Capitol Conference for football. [15] Four schools left the Eastern Suburban Conference for the 2024-2025 cycle: Clinton, Dodgeland, Horicon/Hustisford and Palmyra-Eagle. Two outgoing members joined the Capitol Conference (Clinton and Horicon/Hustisford) and two attained full membership in the Trailways Conference (Dodgeland and Palmyra-Eagle). They were replaced by three schools formerly in the Trailways Conference (Deerfield, Fall River/Rio, Pardeeville and Poynette). [16] For the 2026-2027 cycle, the Trailways Conference is whittling down to seven members, losing Deerfield and Fall River/Rio to the Trailways Conference and welcoming back Horicon/Hustisford from the Capitol Conference. The conference will also enter into a scheduling partnership with the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League where one interconference game that counts in the home conference's standings will be mandatory for each school. [17]

Conference membership history

Full members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Cambridge Cambridge, WI Public266Bluejays  1969 [1] 2001 [12] Capitol
Deerfield Deerfield, WI Public216Demons  1969 [1] 2001 [12] Trailways
Dodgeland Juneau, WI Public278Trojans  1969, [1] 1980 [6] 1970, [2] 2001 [12] Trailways
Johnson Creek Johnson Creek, WI Public180Bluejays  1969 [1] 2001 [12] Trailways
Lakeside Lutheran Lake Mills, WI Private (Lutheran, WELS)506Warriors  1969 [1] 1995 [11] Capitol
Marshall Marshall, WI Public292Cardinals  1969 [1] 2001 [12] Capitol
Palmyra-Eagle Palmyra, WI Public195Panthers  1969 [1] 1990 [9] Rock Valley Trailways
Queen of Apostles Madison, WI Private (Catholic, Pallotine)N/ARaiders  1969 [1] 1979 [5] Closed in 1979 [5]
Hustisford Hustisford, WI Public105Falcons  1970 [3] 2001 [12] Trailways
Williams Bay Williams Bay, WI Public212Bulldogs  1970 [3] 2001 [12] Trailways
Waterloo Waterloo, WI Public259Pirates  1977 [4] 2001 [12] Capitol
Lake Mills Lake Mills, WI Public491L-Cats  1983 [7] 1987 [8] Capitol

Football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsSeasonsPrimary Conference
Montello Montello, WIPublic251Hilltoppers  1991-2000 [10] Dual County
Pardeeville Pardeeville, WIPublic263Bulldogs  1991-2000 [10] Dual County
Westfield Westfield, WIPublic295Pioneers  1991-2000 [10] Dual County

List of football-only conference members

Current members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedPrimary Conference
Cambridge Cambridge, WI Public266Bluejays  2020 [14] Capitol
Deerfield Deerfield, WI Public216Demons  2024 [16] Trailways
Fall River/
Rio
Fall River, WI Public268Rebels  2024 [16] Trailways
Markesan Markesan, WI Public254Hornets  2020 [14] Trailways
Marshall Marshall, WI Public292Cardinals  2020 [14] Capitol
Pardeeville Pardeeville, WI Public263Bulldogs  2020, [14] 2024 [16] Trailways
Poynette Poynette, WI Public310Pumas  2024 [16] Capitol
Waterloo Waterloo, WI Public259Pirates  2020 [14] Capitol

Former members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsSeasonsPrimary Conference
Clinton Clinton, WI Public359Cougars  2020-2023 [14] [16] Rock Valley
Dodgeland Juneau, WI Public278Trojans  2020-2023 [14] [16] Trailways
Horicon/
Hustisford
Horicon, WI Public380Marshmen  2022-2023 [15] [16] Trailways
Palmyra-Eagle Palmyra, WI Public195Panthers  2020-2023 [14] [16] Trailways

Future members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoiningPrimary Conference
Horicon/
Hustisford
Horicon, WI Public380Marshmen  2026 Trailways

Membership timeline

Full members (1969-2001)

Eastern Suburban Conference

Northern DivisionSouthern Division Football-only members Non-football members

Football members (since 2020)

Eastern Suburban Conference

List of state champions

Fall sports

Boys Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Lakeside Lutheran1992WISAA Division 2 [18]
Girls Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Cambridge1984Class C
Football
SchoolYearDivision
Cambridge1979Division 5
Girls Volleyball
SchoolYearDivision
Cambridge1974Class C
Cambridge1975Class C
Cambridge1980Class C
Hustisford2000Division 4

Winter sports

Girls Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Marshall1976Class C
Marshall1977Class C
Johnson Creek1984Class C
Lakeside Lutheran1987WISAA Class B [19]
Gymnastics
SchoolYearDivision
Marshall1973Single Division

Spring sports

Baseball
SchoolYearDivision
Hustisford1978Class C
Waterloo1999Division 3
Softball
SchoolYearDivision
Marshall1987Class C
Marshall1989Class C
Marshall1994Division 3
Boys Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Deerfield1980Class C
Deerfield1981Class C
Cambridge1987Class C
Deerfield1996Division 3
Girls Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Palmyra-Eagle1978Class C
Waterloo1987Class C

List of conference champions

Boys Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Lakeside Lutheran91975, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1993, 1994
Marshall61972, 1973, 1976, 1992, 1999, 2000
Waterloo61980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1998
Palmyra-Eagle51974, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990
Cambridge41971, 1996, 1997, 2001
Williams Bay41977, 1987, 1988, 1995
Deerfield11984
Dodgeland11970
Hustisford11997
Johnson Creek0
Lake Mills0
Queen of Apostles0

Football (1969-2000)

SchoolQuantityYears
Cambridge151971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999
Waterloo91983, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999
Marshall71972, 1984, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000
Lakeside Lutheran41970, 1975, 1990, 1994
Deerfield21969, 1985
Queen of Apostles21973, 1976
Dodgeland11981
Johnson Creek11978
Palmyra-Eagle11987
Pardeeville11999
Hustisford0
Lake Mills0
Montello0
Westfield0
Williams Bay0

Football (2020-present)

SchoolQuantityYears
Marshall42020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Cambridge12024
Horicon/
Hustisford
12023
Clinton0
Deerfield0
Dodgeland0
Fall River/
Rio
0
Markesan0
Palmyra-Eagle0
Pardeeville0
Poynette0
Waterloo0

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hillstrom, Eric (January 16, 1969). "City, Area Prep Hi-Notes". The Capital Times. p. 27. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Flyway Conference Administrators Meet". Fond du Lac Reporter. January 30, 1970. pp. 3 (Section 2). Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "Juneau's Schaefer Tops All-Conference". Janesville Weekly Gazette. March 25, 1970. p. 34. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Prep Conference Realignment - Madison area changes". The Capital Times. August 17, 1977. p. 69. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Mayo, Virginia (February 6, 1979). "Queen of Apostles will close in June". The Capital Times. p. 1. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  6. 1 2 "Dodgeland Move Waits For WIAA Approval". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. July 10, 1979. p. 7. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Changes made in conferences". Waukesha County Freeman. August 24, 1983. pp. 12-C. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  8. 1 2 McMillin, Miles (August 27, 1987). "Conference changes greet start of prep football". The Capital Times. p. 23. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  9. 1 2 "P-E packs parting shot". Wisconsin State Journal. August 27, 1989. p. 54. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Lynn, Adam (August 29, 1991). "ESC-Dual County trade affects 6". The Capital Times. pp. 5B. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Hernandez, Rob (August 27, 1995). "Lakeside prepares for a rude welcome". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 58. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Schwab, Frank (January 25, 2001). "Valley Christian ready to join new Trailways league". Oshkosh Northwestern. pp. E4. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  13. "Revised Football-Only Conference Plan Released". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 9, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "WFCA/WIAA Football-Only Realignment Proposal" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 6, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  15. 1 2 "Proposed Football Only Conference Alignment - 11-Player" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 11, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "2024-25 Conference Realignment Plan – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. December 14, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  17. "2026 - 27 Conference Realignment – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. December 10, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  18. "The fine print (see Prep Cross Country section)". Appleton Post-Crescent. pp. D2. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  19. "Sports in Brief". Sheboygan Press. March 9, 1987. p. 23. Retrieved December 9, 2024.