Marinette & Oconto Conference

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The Marinette & Oconto Conference is a high school athletic conference in northeastern Wisconsin. Founded in 1927, the conference and its members are affiliated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Contents

History

1927-1951

Marinette & Oconto Conference
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19miles
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Location of Original Marinette & Oconto Conference Members

The Marinette & Oconto Conference was formed in 1927 by seven small high schools in Marinette and Oconto Counties in northeastern Wisconsin: Coleman, Crivitz, Lena, Marinette Normal, Our Lady of Lourdes, Peshtigo and Wausaukee. [1] In 1929, the M&O lost Marinette Normal and Our Lady of Lourdes, with Niagara joining to bring the conference to six members. [2] Peshtigo left the loop in 1931, [3] with Gillett moving over from the Northeastern Wisconsin Conference in 1932 to take their place. [4] The membership roster for the Marinette & Oconto Conference increased to nine in 1933 when Florence, Mountain and Suring entered the league. [5] Peshtigo would return to the M&O in 1934, [6] and Florence and Niagara left a year later, bringing the conference to eight schools. [7] Football was first sponsored by the Marinette & Oconto Conference in 1937, with five schools (Coleman, Crivitz, Gillett, Lena and Peshtigo) participating in the six-player variant. [8] In 1938, Mountain and Wausaukee exited the conference, [9] and along with Amberg and Pembine they formed the new Nicolet Conference. [10] [11] Bonduel spent a short stint in the conference during World War II, joining in 1941 [12] and leaving two years later. [13] The M&O transitioned to sponsoring eight-player football in 1944, [14] and two years later the conference unanimously voted to adopt eleven-player football for the 1946 season. [15] After numerous changes in the conference's first two decades, the circuit entered a period of stability that would last until the 1950s.

1951-1999

In 1951, the four-member Granite Valley Conference merged with the six members of the Marinette & Oconto Conference: Amberg, Crivitz, Pembine and Wausaukee. Crivitz was previously a member of both conferences, and Wausaukee reentered the M&O after a thirteen-year absence. [16] With the addition of Goodman, the Marinette & Oconto Conference became a ten-member group, but this arrangement would end up being short-lived. In 1954, Amberg, Goodman, Pembine and Wausaukee split off to reform the Granite Valley Conference, leaving the conference with six member schools. [17] Wausaukee rejoined the Marinette & Oconto Conference for a third time in 1961 after displacement by the Granite Valley's dissolution in 1960. [18] In 1968, Niagara left the Menominee Range Conference in the upper peninsula of Michigan to rejoin as the M&O's eighth member. [19] The Marinette & Oconto Conference entered a three-decade period of stability after Niagara's return.

1999-present

In 1999, Marinette Central Catholic (formerly Our Lady of Lourdes) came back to the Marinette & Oconto Conference [20] [21] after the dissolution of the Fox Valley Christian Conference, a result of the merger between the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association and the WIAA that was finalized in 2000. [22] The school became St. Thomas Aquinas Academy in 2005 after changing its enrollment model from high school to K-12. [23] The Oneida Nation High School joined the M&O in 2015, its first conference membership in their twenty-year history. [24] With Peshtigo's exit in 2017 to join the Packerland Conference, [25] the Marinette & Oconto Conference became the nine-member league that currently exists. Football sponsorship was ended that season as well, as the M&O partnered with the Northern Lakes and Packerland Conferences to form the MONLPC Football Conference. [26]

List of conference members

Current members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoined
Coleman Coleman, WI Public229Cougars  1927 [1]
Crivitz Crivitz, WI Public215Wolverines  1927 [1]
Gillett Gillett, WI Public158Tigers  1932 [4]
Lena Lena, WI Public133Wildcats  1927 [1]
Niagara Niagara, WI Public136Badgers  1929, [2] 1968 [19]
Oneida Nation Onʌyoteˀa·ká, WI Federal (Tribal)127Thunderhawks  2015 [24]
St. Thomas Aquinas Marinette, WI Private (Catholic)38Cavaliers  1927, [1] 1999 [20] [21]
Suring Suring, WI Public117Eagles  1933 [5]
Wausaukee Wausaukee, WI Public126Rangers  1927, [1] 1951, [16] 1961 [18]

Former members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Marinette Normal Marinette, WI PublicN/AUnknownUnknown1927 [1] 1929 [2] Closed in 1965
Peshtigo Peshtigo, WI Public339Bulldogs  1927, [1] 1934 [6] 1931, [3] 2017 [25] Packerland
Florence Florence, WI Public118Bobcats  1933 [5] 1935 [7] Little Seven (MHSAA) Northern Lakes
Mountain Mountain, WI PublicN/AMountaineers  1933 [5] 1938 [9] Nicolet Closed in 1948 (consolidated into Suring)
Bonduel Bonduel, WI Public262Bears  1941 [12] 1943 [13] Independent Central Wisconsin
Amberg Amberg, WI PublicN/ARavens  1951 [16] 1954 [17] Granite Valley Closed in 1960 (consolidated into Wausaukee)
Goodman Goodman, WI Public30Falcons  1951 [16] 1954 [17] Granite Valley Northern Lakes (co-op with Pembine)
Pembine Pembine, WI Public68Panthers  1951 [16] 1954 [17] Granite Valley Northern Lakes (co-op with Goodman)

Former football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsSeasonsPrimary Conference
Wausaukee Wausaukee, WI Public126Rangers  1947-1948, 1950 Granite Valley
Goodman Goodman, WI Public30Falcons  1950, 1954 Granite Valley
Pembine Pembine, WI Public68Panthers  1950, 1954 Granite Valley
Niagara Niagara, WI Public136Badgers  1966-1967 Menominee Range (MHSAA)
Lena/
St. Thomas Aquinas 		Lena, WI Public, Private (Catholic)171Titans  2003-2013Marinette & Oconto

Membership timeline

Full members

Marinette & Oconto Conference

 Northern Division Southern Division

Football members

Marinette & Oconto Conference

Membership map

Marinette & Oconto Conference
Marinette & Oconto Conference
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50km
31miles
9
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8
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7
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Location of Marinette & Oconto Conference full members:
1
Coleman
2
Crivitz
3
Gillett
4
Lena
5
Niagara
6
Oneida Nation
7
St. Thomas Aquinas
8
Suring
9
Wausaukee

List of state champions

Fall sports

Football
SchoolYearDivision
Peshtigo1983Division 5
Girls Volleyball
SchoolYearDivision
Niagara1991Division 4

Winter sports

Boys Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Niagara1979Class C
Wausaukee1993Division 4
Girls Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Lena1980Class C
Boys Wrestling
SchoolYearDivision
Coleman1960Single Division
Coleman1962Single Division
Coleman1963Single Division
Coleman1964Single Division
Coleman1966Single Division
Coleman2000Division 3
Coleman2010Division 3
Coleman2011Division 3
Coleman2012Division 3
Coleman2014Division 3
Coleman2020Division 3

Spring sports

Baseball
SchoolYearDivision
Coleman2012Division 4
Softball
SchoolYearDivision
Wausaukee1996Division 3
Peshtigo2010Division 3
Boys Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Peshtigo1957Class C
Lena1960Class C
Peshtigo1966Class C
Peshtigo1971Class C
Coleman2016Division 3
Coleman2017Division 3

List of conference champions

Boys Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Crivitz271928, 1931, 1932, 1936, 1952, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1985, 1988, 1993, 1994, 2009, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Peshtigo251937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1950, 1951, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1971, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Wausaukee181964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1978, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2015
Lena111929, 1939, 1944, 1945, 1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1963, 2005
Gillett101935, 1942, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1965, 1976
Niagara101929, 1930, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1969, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1987
Suring91999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2018
Coleman71957, 1960, 1987, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022
Amberg0
Bonduel0
Florence0
Goodman0
Marinette Normal0
Mountain0
Oneida Nation0
Pembine0
St. Thomas Aquinas0

Girls Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Peshtigo111977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1997, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Coleman91991, 1995, 1996, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023
Crivitz91983, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2018, 2019
Lena91975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1998, 2003, 2024, 2025
Gillett62002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011
Niagara61984, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2007, 2008
Wausaukee51987, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2019
Oneida Nation22019, 2020
St. Thomas Aquinas22000, 2001
Suring12023

Football

SchoolQuantityYears
Peshtigo341938, 1939, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2013
Coleman221940, 1942, 1947, 1951, 1958, 1959, 1965, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
Crivitz91958, 1961, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2007
Gillett91937, 1941, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1963, 1971, 1979, 1993
Niagara91968, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1994, 1995, 2004
Lena61937, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1974, 1991
Suring51966, 1967, 1970, 1978, 2005
Wausaukee31978, 2001, 2002
Lena/
St. Thomas Aquinas		12005
Goodman0
Pembine0
Champions from 1946 and 1950 unknown

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "New Scholastic Sport Conference Is Formed". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 21 September 1927. p. 13. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Marinette-Oconto Cage Teams to Play Friday". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 8 January 1930. p. 13. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Crivitz and Niagara to Meet in Cage Game". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 9 February 1932. p. 13.
  4. 1 2 "Gillett Highs Quit N.E. Loop". Appleton Post-Crescent. 23 December 1932. p. 13. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Nine Teams to Play in M-O Conference". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 21 March 1933. p. 11. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Gillett, Suring to State Court Clash". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 30 January 1935. p. 11. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Crivitz Holds League in M. and O. League". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 15 January 1936. p. 12. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "M-O Schools Will Play 6-Man Football League". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 16 September 1937. p. 15. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Gillett Knocked from First Place". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 12 December 1938. p. 18. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "Granite City Chips, Basketball". Amberg High School 1939 Yearbook. 1 June 1939. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Wausaukee Quintet to Invade Amberg". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 11 December 1939. p. 14. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  12. 1 2 "M-O Cage League to Resume Action". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 8 January 1942. p. 16. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  13. 1 2 "Lena Invades Coleman Floor". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 9 December 1943. p. 21. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  14. ↑ Lentz, Art (25 November 1945). "The Prep Parade". The Capital Times. p. 24. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  15. ↑ "M-O Loop Votes To Play 11-Man Football in 1946". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 2 April 1946. p. 13. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "M-O Loop Admits Granite Valley Schools, Goodman". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 19 April 1951. p. 43. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Coleman Frosh Win M-O Conference Meet". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 19 May 1955. p. 42. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  18. 1 2 Nuss, Pat (12 December 1963). "Wausaukee Seeks Fourth M-O Win". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 30. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  19. 1 2 Zima, Jim (3 January 1969). "Panthers Out To Keep Little 9 Top". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 15. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  20. 1 2 "Conference Member Directory (see Marinette & Oconto)". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. 28 January 1999. Archived from the original on 28 January 1999. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  21. 1 2 "Conference Membership Directory (see Marinette & Oconto)". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. 13 October 1999. Archived from the original on 13 October 1999. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  22. ↑ Hernandez, Rob (14 October 1999). "WISAA heading to WIAA merger with no regrets". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 25. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  23. ↑ "Saint Thomas Aquinas Academy History". Saint Thomas Aquinas Academy. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  24. 1 2 "Oneida Nation Basketball History". MaxPreps. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  25. 1 2 Pekarek, Andrew (26 November 2016). "Shorter Peshtigo team looking to go out on top". Green Bay Press-Gazette. pp. D1 & D5. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
  26. ↑ Mallien, Korey (23 January 2017). "New prep football conference finalized". Green Bay Press-Gazette. pp. D1. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
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