Packerland Conference

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The Packerland Conference is an athletic conference of high schools located in northeastern Wisconsin. Formed in 1970, the conference and its member schools are affiliated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Contents

History

1970-1979

Packerland Conference
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31miles
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Location of Original Packerland Conference Members

The Packerland Conference was founded in 1970 by ten small- to medium-sized high schools in northeastern Wisconsin. It started with a group informally referred to in the local media as the "Nuclear Five" (Algoma, Kewaunee, Luxemburg-Casco, Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay), which were the odd schools out during the flurry of conference realignment that took place in the region. [1] Three Nuclear Five schools (Algoma, Kewaunee and Sturgeon Bay) were former members of the Northeastern Wisconsin Conference and two schools (Luxemburg-Casco and Southern Door) previously belonged to the Peninsula Conference, both of which ceased operations after the previous season. [2] After an unsuccessful attempt to join the Bay Conference as a group, [3] the Nuclear Five joined with five schools that were displaced by the ending of the Eastern Wisconsin Conference (Chilton, Kiel, New Holstein, Plymouth and Sheboygan Falls) to form the original roster of the Packerland Conference. [4] Due to the large geographic footprint of its member schools, the conference was partitioned into Northern and Southern Divisions for most sports:

Northern DivisionSouthern Division
AlgomaChilton
KewauneeKiel
Luxemburg-CascoNew Holstein
Southern DoorPlymouth
Sturgeon BaySheboygan Falls

1979-2007

In 1979, the five schools of the Southern Division, along with Two Rivers from the Fox Valley Association and Valders from the Olympian Conference, left the Packerland Conference to reform the Eastern Wisconsin Conference. [5] Gibraltar and Sevastopol, two Door County high schools left without affiliation after the collapse of the Bay-Lakes Conference, [6] replaced the five outgoing schools and the conference ended divisional play. The two Door County schools would not be members of the Packerland for football, however. They traded affiliations with Denmark and Mishicot of the Olympian Conference for five seasons before returning as a cooperative program in 1984. [7] [8] That same year, the conference expanded to nine schools when Oconto and Oconto Falls joined after leaving the Central Wisconsin Conference. [9] Membership in the Packerland Conference remained stable for the next fifteen years before Oconto Falls left to become charter members of the Valley 8 Conference in 1999. [10] Replacing them were former Olympian Conference members Denmark and Northeastern Wisconsin Lutheran, formerly of the Midwest Classic Conference. [11] [12]

2007-present

In 2007, Denmark and Luxemburg-Casco exited the Packerland Conference for membership in the new Eastern Valley Conference. [13] The conference also entered into a partnership with the Olympian Conference to create the new Olympian-Packerland Conference for football. [14] This arrangement ended when the Olympian was dissolved after the 2014-2015 school year, and the Packerland returned to football sponsorship with five members (Algoma, Kewaunee, Oconto, Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay). [15] The Packerland Conference would continue with eight schools for ten years until Peshtigo left the Marinette & Oconto Conference to join in 2017, [16] bringing the roster to its current total of nine schools. Football sponsorship was also ended that year, as the Packerland entered into a conglomeration with the Marinette & Oconto and Northern Lakes Conferences, forming the Marinette & Oconto-Northern Lakes-Packerland Conference (MONLPC).

Football (since 2020)

In February 2019, the WIAA and the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association released a sweeping football-only realignment for Wisconsin to start in 2020 with a two-year competition period between realignments. [17] As part of this, the MONLPC Football Conference's two 11-player divisions were dissolved and the Packerland Conference was reinstated for football. Full members Kewaunee, Oconto, Peshtigo, Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay were part of the initial lineup, along with schools from the Big East Conference (Mishicot), the Central Wisconsin Conference (Bonduel), and the North Eastern Conference (Clintonville). [18] Two years later, Clintonville left to join the Northwoods Football Conference with Marinette moving over from the North Eastern Conference as their replacement. [19] This alignment remained in place through the 2024-2025 competition cycle. [20] For the 2026-2027 cycle, Mishicot is slated to join their primary home in the Big East Conference with Oconto Falls leaving the Northwoods Football Conference to keep membership at eight schools. [21]

List of conference members

Current members

School [22] LocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoined
Algoma Algoma, WI Public219Wolves  1970 [4]
Gibraltar Fish Creek, WI Public182Vikings  1979 [6]
Kewaunee Kewaunee, WI Public298Storm  1970 [4]
N.E.W. Lutheran Green Bay, WI Private (Lutheran, WELS)145Blazers  1999 [12]
Oconto Oconto, WI Public282Blue Devils  1984 [9]
Peshtigo Peshtigo, WI Public339Bulldogs  2017 [16]
Sevastopol Sevastopol, WI Public180Pioneers  1979 [6]
Southern Door Brussels, WI Public323Eagles  1970 [4]
Sturgeon Bay Sturgeon Bay, WI Public394Clippers  1970 [4]

Current football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedPrimary Conference
Bonduel Bonduel, WI Public262Bears  2020 Central Wisconsin
Marinette Marinette, WI Public623Marines  2022 North Eastern
Mishicot Mishicot, WI Public280Indians  2020 Big East

Future football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoiningPrimary Conference
Oconto Falls Oconto Falls, WIPublic521Panthers  2026 North Eastern

Former members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Chilton Chilton, WI Public401Tigers  1970 [4] 1979 [5] Eastern Wisconsin
Kiel Kiel, WI Public453Raiders  1970 [4] 1979 [5] Eastern Wisconsin
Luxemburg-Casco Luxemberg, WI Public610Spartans  1970 [4] 2007 [13] Bay North Eastern
New Holstein New Holstein, WI Public319Huskies  1970 [4] 1979 [5] Eastern Wisconsin
Plymouth Plymouth, WI Public746Panthers  1970 [4] 1979 [5] Eastern Wisconsin Glacier Trails (2025)
Sheboygan Falls Sheboygan Falls, WI Public513Falcons  1970 [4] 1979 [5] Eastern Wisconsin
Oconto Falls Oconto Falls, WI Public521Panthers  1984 [9] 1999 [10] Valley 8 North Eastern
Denmark Denmark, WI Public488Vikings  1999 [11] 2007 [13] Bay North Eastern

Former football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsSeasonsPrimary Conference
Denmark Denmark, WI Public488Vikings  1979-1983 [7] [8] Olympian
Mishicot Mishicot, WI Public280Indians  1979-1983 [7] [8] Olympian

Membership timeline

Full members

Packerland Conference

 Northern Division Southern Division

Football members

Packerland Conference

Membership map

Packerland Conference
Packerland Conference
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19miles
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Location of Packerland Conference full members:

List of state champions

Fall sports

Boys Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Sturgeon Bay2001Division 2
Girls Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Luxemburg-Casco1982Class B
Luxemburg-Casco1987Class B
Luxemburg-Casco1989Class B
Gibraltar1994Division 3
Gibraltar1995Division 3
Luxemburg-Casco1998Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco2000Division 3
Sevastopol2006Division 3
Football
SchoolYearDivision
Plymouth1976Division 3
Plymouth1978Division 3
Southern Door1989Division 4
Oconto Falls1997Division 3
Sturgeon Bay2004Division 4
Boys Soccer
SchoolYearDivision
Sturgeon Bay2015Division 4
Sturgeon Bay2019Division 4
Girls Swimming & Diving
SchoolYearDivision
Sturgeon Bay/Sevastopol2009Division 2
Girls Volleyball
SchoolYearDivision
Sevastopol1984Class C
Sevastopol1991Division 3

Winter sports

Boys Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Sheboygan Falls1974Class B
Sheboygan Falls1975Class B
Girls Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Algoma1981Class B
Algoma1986Class C
Luxemburg-Casco1988Class B
Luxemburg-Casco1994Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco2004Division 2
Kewaunee2012Division 3
Algoma2013Division 4
Kewaunee2013Division 3
Boys Swimming & Diving
SchoolYearDivision
Sturgeon Bay/Southern Door2003Division 2
Sturgeon Bay/Southern Door2004Division 2
Sturgeon Bay/Southern Door2005Division 2
Sturgeon Bay2006Division 2
Boys Wrestling
SchoolYearDivision
Luxemburg-Casco1992Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco1994Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco1996Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco1999Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco2001Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco2002Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco2003Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco2005Division 2
Luxemburg-Casco2006Division 2

Spring sports

Baseball
SchoolYearDivision
Algoma1983Class B
Sevastopol1985Class C
Sturgeon Bay1991Division 2
Oconto2013Division 3
Softball
SchoolYearDivision
Luxemburg-Casco1982Class B
Southern Door1992Division 2
Southern Door1994Division 2
Sevastopol2007Division 3
Sevastopol2008Division 3
Algoma2013Division 4
Boys Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Sheboygan Falls1975Class B
Southern Door1993Division 2
Girls Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Sturgeon Bay1972Class B
Algoma2017Division 3

Summer sports

Baseball
SchoolYear
Sheboygan Falls1973

List of conference champions

Source: [23]

Boys Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Southern Door151984, 1985, 1997, 1998, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025
Sturgeon Bay131981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2012
Luxemburg-Casco91974, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1988, 1991, 2002, 2005, 2006
Kewaunee61971, 1973, 1990, 1996, 2020, 2022
N.E.W. Lutheran52001, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Algoma41975, 1992, 2006, 2007
Oconto31987, 2009, 2010
Oconto Falls31991, 1994, 1995
New Holstein21976, 1977
Plymouth21974, 1978
Sheboygan Falls21972, 1975
Denmark12007
Kiel11974
Peshtigo12022
Chilton0
Gibraltar0
Sevastopol0

Girls Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Algoma181979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Luxemburg-Casco141987, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007
Kewaunee131989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, 2025
Sturgeon Bay61975, 1976, 1977, 1993, 2006, 2007
Southern Door51978, 1982, 1992, 2008, 2018
Sevastopol32006, 2023, 2024
Oconto21999, 2022
New Holstein11977
Chilton0
Denmark0
Gibraltar0
Kiel0
N.E.W. Lutheran0
Oconto Falls0
Peshtigo0
Plymouth0
Sheboygan Falls0

Football

SchoolQuantityYears
Kewaunee131970, 1971, 1975, 1983, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2021, 2023
Southern Door101986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2015, 2016, 2022
Luxemburg-Casco61988, 1989, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005
Oconto Falls51984, 1986, 1987, 1995, 1998
Algoma41974, 1982, 1992, 1994
Denmark41979, 1980, 1999, 2000
Plymouth41972, 1976, 1977, 1978
Bonduel22020, 2024
Oconto21985, 1986
Sturgeon Bay21986, 1993
Chilton11970
Mishicot11981
Sheboygan Falls11973
Clintonville0
Kiel0
Marinette0
New Holstein0
Peshtigo0
Sevastopol0
Sevastopol/Gibraltar0

References

  1. "Nuclear Five Has League...At Last". Green Bay Press-Gazette. January 20, 1970. pp. B-1. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  2. Walter, Tony (December 21, 1969). "High School Realignment Begins To Take Definite Shape in Area". Green Bay Press-Gazette. pp. E-5. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  3. "New Bay Loop Adds Marinette". Green Bay Press-Gazette. December 17, 1969. pp. C-1. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Pick 'Packerland' as New Loop Name". Manitowoc Herald-Times-Reporter. March 4, 1970. p. 25. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bartel, Roger (October 12, 1978). "Lutheran looks for new conference". Manitowoc Herald-Times-Reporter. p. 19. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "Lutheran looks for new conference". Manitowoc Herald-Times-Reporter. October 12, 1978. p. 19. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 "WIAA Alters Grid Playoffs". Green Bay Press-Gazette. April 24, 1979. pp. B-2. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 Goff, Tom (April 28, 1983). "WIAA approves CSC, CWC league merger". Appleton Post-Crescent. pp. B-14. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 Klein, Tom (May 1, 1984). "CWC faces major increase in size next fall". Oshkosh Northwestern. p. 10. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Conference gets name". Appleton Post-Crescent. October 15, 1998. pp. E-8. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  11. 1 2 McMahon, Scott (June 26, 1998). "WIAA's realignment stands, as expected". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 15. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Mancosky, George (April 1, 1998). "New opponents to dot 1998-99 SMC schedules". Neenah-Menasha News-Record. p. 21. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 Arguello, Ricardo (July 25, 2007). "Prep football conferences to see new looks". Appleton Post-Crescent. p. 7. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  14. Venci, Scott (June 30, 2007). "It will be a new era". Green Bay Press-Gazette. pp. C-1. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  15. Gannett Wisconsin Media (January 30, 2014). "WIAA approves realignment plan". Manitowoc Herald-Times-Reporter. pp. A7 –A8. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  16. 1 2 Pekarek, Andrew (November 26, 2016). "Shorter Peshtigo team looking to go out on top". Green Bay Press-Gazette. pp. D1 & D5. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  17. "Revised Football-Only Conference Plan Released". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 9, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  18. "WFCA/WIAA Football-Only Realignment Proposal" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 6, 2019. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  19. "Proposed Football Only Conference Alignment - 11-Player" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 11, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  20. "2024-25 Conference Realignment Plan – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. December 14, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  21. "2026 - 27 Conference Realignment – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. December 10, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  22. "Packerland". Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  23. "Packerland Conference Champions". Packerland Conference. Retrieved June 11, 2025.