Parkland Conference

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The Parkland Conference is a former high school athletic conference with its membership concentrated in southeastern Wisconsin. It was in existence from 1963 to 2006 and all member schools were affiliated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. It was revived in 2020 as a football-only conference with most of its member schools in Waukesha County.

Contents

History

1963-1980

Parkland Conference
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Location of Original Parkland Conference Members

The Parkland Conference was formed in 1963 as a result of population growth and new school districts being formed in the Milwaukee area during the previous decade. Most of the high schools in these new districts joined the Braveland Conference, which was founded in 1953 and grew to seventeen members after only a decade of competition. [1] The eight schools located south of Interstate 94 (Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, St. Francis and Whitnall) split from the Braveland and became the original members of the Parkland Conference. [2] [3] A ninth member was added in 1970 when New Berlin Eisenhower opened as the New Berlin district's second high school. [4] The Parkland Conference competed as a nine-member loop for the next decade before major changes would occur.

1980-1985

In 1980, the high school athletic conferences in southeastern Wisconsin went through a comprehensive realignment after years of discussion and failing to reach agreements. Two conferences were disbanded (the Scenic Moraine and South Shore), [5] and four of the schools that were displaced (Kettle Moraine, Pewaukee, Racine Case and Slinger) became Parkland Conference members. [6] [7] Mukwonago also moved over from the Southern Lakes Conference that year, [8] and the conference split into Eastern and Western divisions: [9]

Eastern DivisionWestern Division
GreendaleFranklin
GreenfieldKettle Moraine
MukwonagoNew Berlin Eisenhower
MuskegoPewaukee
New BerlinSlinger
Oak CreekSt. Francis
Racine CaseWhitnall

Racine Case left the Parkland Conference for membership in the Suburban Conference in 1983, [10] and the league would compete with thirteen members in two divisions for two more seasons.

1985-1997

Parkland Conference
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Location of Parkland Conference Members (1985-1992)

A second extensive realignment occurred in 1985 after failing to fix some of the issues with travel and competitive balance that the 1980 realignment was supposed to remedy. This time, the Suburban Conference met its demise with one of the displaced schools, West Milwaukee, joining the Parkland Conference. Brown Deer also moved over from the Braveland Conference as part of the realignment, swapping affiliations with Mukwonago in the process. Most significantly, the Parkland Conference lost five members to the new Suburban Park Conference: Greendale, Greenfield, Kettle Moraine, Muskego and Oak Creek. [11] These were some of the largest schools in the conference, and the new-look Parkland emerged with a larger geographic footprint and a smaller average enrollment than some of the other new conferences created. The Parkland Conference continued with this roster until 1992, when West Milwaukee High School closed its doors. [12] Shorewood joined from the North Shore Conference to take their place. [13] Another change occurred in 1993, when Franklin left to join the new Woodland Conference with Sussex Hamilton replacing them after being displaced from the shuttered Braveland Conference. [14]

1997-2006

Parkland Conference
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19miles
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Location of Final Parkland Conference Members

In 1997, the Parkland Conference lost four member schools: three joined the Woodland Conference (New Berlin Eisenhower, New Berlin West and Whitnall) and Sussex Hamilton became a charter member of the Greater Metro Conference. [15] Taking their place were four private schools who were in the process of joining the WIAA as part of the merger with their previous organization, the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association. [16] Dominican in Whitefish Bay and Martin Luther in Greendale joined in 1997, [17] while Kettle Moraine Lutheran in Jackson and Luther Prep in Watertown entered the year after. [18] Aside from Martin Luther returning to the Midwest Classic Conference in 2003, [19] the Parkland Conference continued with this membership roster until it was disbanded in 2006. Four schools joined the Woodland Conference (Brown Deer, Pewaukee, Shorewood and St. Francis), [20] Dominican entered the Midwest Classic Conference, [21] Kettle Moraine Lutheran became a charter member of the Wisconsin Flyway Conference, [22] Luther Prep joined the Capitol Conference [23] and Slinger shifted to the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference. [24]

Conference membership history

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Franklin Franklin, WI Public1,570Sabers  1963 [1] 1993 [14] Southeast
Greendale Greendale, WI Public931Panthers  1963 [1] 1985 [11] Suburban Park Woodland
Greenfield Greenfield, WI Public1,163Hustlin' Hawks  1963 [1] 1985 [11] Suburban Park Woodland
Muskego Muskego, WI Public1,683Warriors  1963 [1] 1985 [11] Suburban Park Woodland
New Berlin West New Berlin, WI Public699Vikings  1963 [1] 1997 [15] Woodland
Oak Creek Oak Creek, WI Public2,170Knights  1963 [1] 1985 [11] Suburban Park Classic 8 (2025)
St. Francis St. Francis, WI Public522Mariners  1963 [1] 2006 [20] Woodland Midwest Classic
Whitnall Greenfield, WI Public826Falcons  1963 [1] 1997 [15] Woodland
New Berlin Eisenhower New Berlin, WI Public711Lions  1970 [4] 1997 [15] Woodland
Kettle Moraine Wales, WI Public1,251Lasers  1980 [6] 1985 [11] Suburban Park Classic 8
Mukwonago Mukwonago, WI Public1,619Indians  1980 [8] 1985 [11] Braveland Classic 8
Pewaukee Pewaukee, WI Public874Pirates  1980 [6] 2006 [20] Woodland
Racine Case Racine, WI Public1,892Eagles  1980 [6] 1983 [10] Suburban Southeast
Slinger Slinger, WI Public1,052Owls  1980 [6] 2006 [24] Wisconsin Little Ten North Shore
Brown Deer Brown Deer, WI Public579Falcons  1985 [11] 2006 [20] Woodland
West Milwaukee West Milwaukee, WI PublicN/AMustangs  1985 [11] 1992 [12] Closed in 1992
Shorewood Shorewood, WI Public662Greyhounds  1992 [13] 2006 [20] Woodland
Sussex Hamilton Sussex, WI Public1,551Chargers  1993 [14] 1997 [15] Greater Metro
Dominican Whitefish Bay, WI Private (Catholic, Sinsinawa Dominicans)324Knights  1997 [17] 2006 [21] Midwest Classic Metro Classic
Martin Luther Greendale, WI Private (Lutheran, LCMS)407Spartans  1997 [17] 2003 [19] Midwest Classic Metro Classic
Kettle Moraine Lutheran Jackson, WI Private (Lutheran, WELS)553Chargers  1998 [18] 2006 [22] Wisconsin Flyway Glacier Trails (2025)
Luther Prep Watertown, WI Private (Lutheran, WELS)649Phoenix  1998 [18] 2006 [23] Capitol Midwest Classic

Membership timeline

Parkland Conference

 Eastern Division Western Division

List of state champions

Fall sports

Boys Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
St. Francis1975Class B
Football
SchoolYearDivision
New Berlin Eisenhower1995Division 3
New Berlin Eisenhower1996Division 3
Slinger1998Division 3
Boys Soccer
SchoolYearDivision
Brown Deer1992Division 2
Shorewood1997Division 2
Slinger2005Division 2
Girls Volleyball
SchoolYearDivision
Oak Creek1982Class A
New Berlin West1984Class A
Kettle Moraine Lutheran2003Division 3
Kettle Moraine Lutheran2004Division 3

Winter sports

Boys Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
St. Francis1976Class B
Whitnall1988Class B
Dominican1998 [25] Division 1 (WISAA)
Dominican2000 [26] Division 2 (WISAA)
Girls Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Dominican2000 [27] Division 2 (WISAA)

Spring sports

Boys Golf
SchoolYearDivision
Brown Deer1991Division 2
Pewaukee2002Division 2
Pewaukee2003Division 2
Softball
SchoolYearDivision
Kettle Moraine Lutheran1999 [28] Division 2 (WISAA)
Boys Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
St. Francis1976Class B
Brown Deer1997Division 2
Brown Deer1998Division 2
Girls Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Brown Deer1987Class B

Summer sports

Baseball
SchoolYear
Greendale1980
Greenfield1983
Whitnall1991

List of conference champions

Boys Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Whitnall71966, 1972, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991
Dominican61998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005
New Berlin Eisenhower51976, 1977, 1981, 1986, 1993
New Berlin West51973, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1984
Greendale41969, 1970, 1971, 1976
Brown Deer31990, 1992, 1995
Kettle Moraine31982, 1983, 1984
Muskego31964, 1965, 1985
Franklin21975, 1985
Greenfield21967, 1968
Shorewood21994, 1996
Slinger21997, 2003
Kettle Moraine Lutheran12006
Oak Creek11980
Pewaukee12001
St. Francis11977
Luther Prep0
Martin Luther0
Mukwonago0
Racine Case0
Sussex Hamilton0
West Milwaukee0

Girls Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Slinger71998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
New Berlin Eisenhower61987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1996
New Berlin West51983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1997
Oak Creek41981, 1982, 1983, 1984
Whitnall31982, 1994, 1995
Brown Deer21992, 1993
Kettle Moraine Lutheran22004, 2005
Pewaukee22004, 2006
St. Francis21981, 1983
Dominican12001
Greendale11985
Muskego11984
Franklin0
Greenfield0
Kettle Moraine0
Luther Prep0
Martin Luther0
Mukwonago0
Racine Case0
Shorewood0
Sussex Hamilton0
West Milwaukee0
Champions from 1976-1980 unknown

Football

SchoolQuantityYears
New Berlin Eisenhower71973, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
Muskego61967, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1984
Luther Prep41998, 1999, 2000, 2001
New Berlin West41964, 1966, 1970, 1991
Slinger41983, 1984, 1992, 1997
St. Francis41980, 1996, 2002, 2003
Brown Deer31991, 2004, 2005
Franklin31982, 1989, 1990
Greendale31968, 1969, 1981
Greenfield31965, 1976, 1978
Sussex Hamilton31993, 1994, 1995
Mukwonago21982, 1983
Oak Creek21963, 1972
Pewaukee22002, 2005
Racine Case11980
Dominican0
Kettle Moraine0
Kettle Moraine Lutheran0
Martin Luther0
Shorewood0
West Milwaukee0
Whitnall0

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "New Prep Conference Being Set Up Among 17 Braveland Teams". Sheboygan Press. February 21, 1962. p. 20. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  2. "President Selected For "New" Braveland Conference Divisions". Sheboygan Press. April 19, 1962. p. 30. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  3. "Vikings Gird For Opener - New Berlin Makes Debut In Parkland". Waukesha County Freeman. March 28, 1963. p. 16. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Experience Lacking in NB Eisenhower Squad". Waukesha County Freeman. August 29, 1970. p. 7. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  5. Associated Press (April 4, 1979). "WIAA realignment OK'd". Baraboo News Republic. p. 13. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Alignment to split Tremper, Bradford". Kenosha News. March 20, 1979. p. 29. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  7. Mooren, Tony (March 20, 1979). "Suburban Could Become 15-School Conference". Waukesha County Freeman. p. 8. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "WIAA Okays Realignment". Waukesha County Freeman. April 20, 1979. p. 12. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  9. "Prep Standings (see Parkland Conference)". Waukesha County Freeman. December 13, 1980. p. 12. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Intracity rivalries renewed". Racine Journal Times. August 28, 1983. p. 62. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Fensin, Lee (August 27, 1985). "Waukesha teams begin play in new conference". Waukesha County Freeman. p. 19. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Several local teams have shot at titles". Waukesha Freeman. August 26, 1992. p. 25. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  13. 1 2 "Parkland moves OK with Slinger High athletic boss". West Bend Daily News. February 18, 1992. p. 10. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 Fensin, Lee (September 16, 1993). "'Ridiculous' league: No need for long Southeast trips". Waukesha Freeman. p. 19. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "Positive moves for many football teams". Waukesha Freeman. October 18, 1997. p. 39. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  16. Anderson, Eric (April 24, 1997). "WIAA easily approves merger with WISAA". Racine Journal Times. p. 27. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  17. 1 2 3 Harlow, Judy (May 8, 1996). "Realignment talks coming to a head". West Bend Daily News. p. 10. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 Harlow, Judy (April 14, 1997). "KML gets Parkland Conference nod". West Bend Daily News. p. 1. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  19. 1 2 "FOOTBALL: Ripon faces Mayville in ECFC-Lakes game; Berlin looking to go 6-0". Oshkosh Northwestern. October 2, 2003. p. 23. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "Many questions in new Woodland". Waukesha Freeman. February 4, 2005. p. 12. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  21. 1 2 Mooren, Tony (May 19, 2006). "County schools safe - for now". Waukesha Freeman. p. 11. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  22. 1 2 "WIAA realignment plan". Appleton Post-Crescent. January 13, 2006. p. 22. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  23. 1 2 Semrau, Dennis (December 16, 2005). "Wrestlers eye league moves". The Capital Times. p. 33. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  24. 1 2 Ritchay, Doug (January 17, 2006). "KML, Slinger should keep their rivalry going". West Bend Daily News. p. 9. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
  25. "Johnson, Dominican down Xavier for title". Manitowoc Herald-Times-Reporter. March 8, 1998. p. 15. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  26. "Marshfield Columbus wins yet another state championship". Wausau Daily Herald. March 12, 2000. p. 27. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  27. Associated Press (March 12, 2000). "Pius, Dominican, Columbus cap WISAA run with championships". Manitowoc Herald-Times-Reporter. p. 14. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  28. "Scoreboard (see Softball, WISAA Tournament)". Waukesha Freeman. June 7, 1999. p. 16. Retrieved January 16, 2025.