South Central Conference (Wisconsin)

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The South Central Conference is a high school athletic conference in Wisconsin. Originally founded in 1926, it disbanded in 1941 only to reconstitute eleven years later. All member schools of the South Central Conference are affiliated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Contents

History

Origins and Breakup (1926–1941)

The South Central Conference was formed in 1926 by seven medium-sized high schools in south central Wisconsin: Baraboo, Portage, Reedsburg, Richland Center, Sparta, Tomah and Viroqua. [1] Logan High School in La Crosse joined two years later, [2] and Wisconsin Dells joined in 1939. [3] Two years later, the conference disbanded and most of its members went on to form two new conferences. Baraboo, Portage, Reedsburg, Richland Center and Wisconsin Dells went on to form half of the new Southern Ten Conference (along with former Southern Six members Edgerton, Fort Atkinson, Monroe, Stoughton and Wisconsin High). [4] [5] Sparta, Tomah and Viroqua joined with Mauston and Westby to form the new West Central Conference. [6] Sparta, Tomah and Viroqua were also concurrently members of the Gateway Conference along with La Crosse Logan during this time period. [7]

Reformation (1952–1966)

In 1952, most of the schools that were part of the original incarnation of the South Central Conference joined together and reformed the conference. [8] Baraboo, Portage, Reedsburg, Richland Center and Wisconsin Dells all rejoined from the Southern Ten Conference (with the other five schools forming the nucleus of the new Badger Conference). [9] [10] Sparta, Tomah and Viroqua rejoined from the West Central Conference, along with newcomers Mauston and Nekoosa. [11] In 1963, the conference added two schools to bring membership to twelve: Black River Falls from the Mississippi Valley Conference and Sauk Prairie from the Tri-County League. [12] The conference also subdivided into Northern and Southern sections, an alignment that would last for three seasons:

Northern SectionSouthern Section
Black River FallsBaraboo
MaustonPortage
NekoosaReedsburg
SpartaRichland Center
TomahSauk Prairie
ViroquaWisconsin Dells

Minor Adjustments (1966–2001)

Membership of the South Central Conference underwent a few changes after the initial reformation and expansion period. Nekoosa left the conference in 1966 to join the short-lived Vacationland Conference, [13] Viroqua joined the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League in 1969 [14] and Richland Center joined the SWAL two years later. [15] They were replaced by Adams-Friendship, who were left without a conference after the Vacationland disbanded in 1970. [16] [17] After entering the league together fourteen years earlier, Black River Falls and Sauk Prairie exited the South Central in 1977 to join the Coulee Conference and Badger Conference, respectively. [18] Nekoosa rejoined the South Central Conference in 1982, after a four-year stint in the Cloverbelt Conference. [19] Seven years later, Sparta and Tomah left to join with the larger La Crosse-area schools to form the new Mississippi Valley Conference. [20] [21] Membership through the 1990s remained consistent at seven schools, but more significant changes were coming at the turn of the century.

Present Day (2001-present)

As the South Central Conference approached the fiftieth anniversary of its reformation, three of its original member schools (Baraboo, Portage and Reedsburg) left to join the Badger Conference as part of a five-school expansion. [22] These three schools had the largest enrollment levels in the South Central Conference and wanted to join a conference more in line with their size. [23] They were replaced by Lodi and Poynette from the Capitol Conference and Westfield from the disbanded Dual County Conference. [24] Lodi and Poynette quickly became disappointed with the longer travel distances between conference opponents [25] and returned to the Capitol Conference five years after their exit. [26] They were replaced by Wautoma, formerly of the East Central Flyway Conference, bringing conference membership to six schools. [27] This figure is set to expand in 2025, when Berlin and Ripon join from the East Central Conference, which is set to be realigned out of existence by the WIAA. [28]

List of Conference Members (1952-present)

Current Members

SchoolLocationAffiliatonEnrollment [29] NicknameColorsJoined
Adams-Friendship Adams, WI Public432Green Devils  1971
Mauston Mauston, WI Public474Golden Eagles  1952
Nekoosa Nekoosa, WI Public295Papermakers  1982
Wautoma Wautoma, WI Public381Hornets  2006
Westfield Westfield, WI Public295Pioneers  2001
Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin Dells, WI Public596Chiefs  1952

Future Members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollment [30] NicknameColorsJoiningFormer Conference
Berlin Berlin, WI Public474Indians  2025 East Central
Ripon Ripon, WI Public484Tigers  2025 East Central

Former Members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollment [31] NicknameColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Baraboo Baraboo, WI Public919Thunderbirds  19522001 Badger
Nekoosa Nekoosa, WI Public295Papermakers  19521966VacationlandSouth Central
Portage Portage, WI Public705Warriors  19522001 Badger
Reedsburg Reedsburg, WI Public897Beavers  19522001 Badger
Richland Center Richland Center, WI Public418Hornets  19521971 SWAL Southwest Wisconsin
Sparta Sparta, WI Public909Spartans  19521989 Mississippi Valley
Tomah Tomah, WI Public919Timberwovles  19521989 Mississippi Valley
Viroqua Viroqua, WI Pubilc339Blackhawks  19521969 SWAL Coulee
Black River Falls Black River Falls, WI Public481Tigers  19631977 Coulee
Sauk Prairie Prairie du Sac, WI Public858Eagles  19631977 Badger
Lodi Lodi, WI Public451Blue Devils  20012006 Capitol
Poynette Poynette, WI Public310Pumas  20012006 Capitol

Conference Membership History (1926–1941)

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Baraboo Baraboo, WI Public919Thunderbirds  19261941 Southern Ten Badger
Portage Portage, WI Public705Warriors  19261941 Southern Ten Badger
Reedsburg Reedsburg, WI Public897Beavers  19261941 Southern Ten Badger
Richland Center Richland Center, WI Public418Hornets  19261941 Southern Ten Southwest Wisconsin
Sparta Sparta, WI Public909Spartans  19261941 West Central Mississippi Valley
Tomah Tomah, WI Public919Indians  19261941 West Central Mississippi Valley
Viroqua Viroqua, WI Public339Blackhawks  19261941 West Central Coulee
La Crosse Logan La Crosse, WI Public738Rangers  19281941Independent Mississippi Valley
Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin Dells, WI Public596Chiefs  19391941 Southern Ten South Central

List of State Champions

Fall Sports

Boys Cross Country [32]
SchoolYearDivision
Sauk Prairie1968Small Schools
Sauk Prairie1969Small Schools
Football [33]
SchoolYearDivision
Wautoma2008Division 4
Boys Volleyball [34]
SchoolYearDivision
Portage1956Single Division
Girls Volleyball [35]
SchoolYearDivision
Portage1981Class B
Wisconsin Dells1984Class B
Portage1987Class A

Winter Sports

Boys Baksetball [36]
SchoolYearDivision
Portage1982Class B
Wisconsin Dells1987Class B
Girls Basketball [37]
SchoolYearDivision
Portage1982Class B
Curling [38]
SchoolYearDivision
Portage1960Single Division
Portage1973Single Division
Boys Wrestling [39]
SchoolYearDivision
Reedsburg1981Class B
Reedsburg1981Class B
Lodi2004Division 2

Spring Sports

Baseball [40]
SchoolYearDivision
Nekoosa1984Class B
Nekoosa1985Class B
Wisconsin Dells1989Class B
Boys Golf [41]
SchoolYearDivision
Baraboo1941Single Division
Softball [42]
SchoolYearDivision
Wisconsin Dells1995Division 2
Poynette2005Division 3
Boys Track & Field [43]
SchoolYearDivision
Sauk Prairie1969Class B
Baraboo1971Class A
Wisconsin Dells1977Class B
Wisconsin Dells1983Class B
Wautoma2009Division 2
Girls Track & Field [44]
SchoolYearDivision
Reedsburg1971Single Division
Nekoosa1990Class B
Nekoosa1992Division 2
Nekoosa1993Division 2
Nekoosa1995Division 2
Nekoosa1998Division 2

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References

  1. ↑ "Four Trophies For Activities". Portage Daily Register. 16 October 1926. p. 1. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  2. ↑ Dunn, Bob (1 May 1928). "Logan Accepts Invitation to Join South Central Loop". La Crosse Tribune. p. 11. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  3. ↑ "South Central Schools Give Dells Rights". Portage Daily Register. 23 March 1939. p. 8. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  4. ↑ "Last Southern Six Race Ends Friday". Wisconsin State Journal. 24 February 1941. p. 12. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  5. ↑ Lentz, Art (9 March 1941). "Five-Year Grid Slate Is Set Up By Southern 10". The Capital Times. p. 19. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  6. ↑ "Toughest Cage Schedule in History Finds Westby With One Letterman". La Crosse Tribune. 5 November 1941. p. 12. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  7. ↑ "Two New Cage Loops Formed For Next Year". La Crosse Tribune. 26 January 1941. p. 9. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  8. ↑ "South Central Conference Is Reorganized". Baraboo News Republic. 21 November 1951. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  9. ↑ "Delay Choosing Name for New Prep Circuit". Wisconsin State Journal. 2 February 1952. p. 10. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  10. ↑ "New Prep Loop Named Badger Conference". Wisconsin State Journal. 23 March 1952. p. 55. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  11. ↑ "South Central League Expands". Wisconsin State Journal. 30 November 1951. p. 34. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  12. ↑ "Black River Falls Joins South Central Conference". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. 7 July 1962. p. 9. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  13. ↑ "New Vacationland Loop To Set Up Constitution". La Crosse Tribune. 15 March 1965. p. 13. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  14. ↑ "Viroqua Joins Southwest Loop". The Capital Times. 23 January 1969. p. 29. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  15. ↑ "Richland Center Accepted by SWAL". The Capital Times. 24 March 1970. p. 21. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  16. ↑ "A-F plans move to South Central". Portage Daily Register. 24 March 1970. p. 10. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  17. ↑ "Nekoosa athletes hear Powless". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. 12 May 1970. p. 8. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  18. ↑ "Keeping Up With The Events - Conference Realignment..." Wisconsin Dells Events. 21 October 1976. p. 17. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  19. ↑ "Nekoosa Joining SCC". Reedsburg Times-Press. 17 September 1981. p. 11. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  20. ↑ "WIAA wants Tomah, Sparta out of SCC". Reedsburg Times-Press. 3 March 1988. p. 23. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  21. ↑ Hinz, Roy (19 May 1988). "Vivian sets record with 13 hits in row (see Realignment section)". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. 4C. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
  22. ↑ Halstead, Ray (6 December 1999). "Positives, negatives dot realignment". Portage Daily Register. p. 7. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  23. ↑ Hernandez, Rob (15 October 1999). "Plan would add 5 teams to Badger". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. 1B. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  24. ↑ "WIAA approves conference realignment plan for 2001". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. 28 January 2000. p. 15. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  25. ↑ "Reedsburg now to stay in realigned Badger Conference?". Reedsburg Independent. 23 September 2004. p. 1. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  26. ↑ "WIAA OKs realignment". Waukesha Freeman. 4 December 2004. p. 11. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  27. ↑ Northwestern staff (14 January 2006). "WIAA approves realignment plan". Oshkosh Northwestern. p. 22. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  28. ↑ Bailey, Jonathan (21 March 2024). "Ripon will switch conferences in fall '25". Ripon Press. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  29. ↑ "All school enrollment figures for 2023-24 sports year with one- and five-year enrollment comparisons". 27 November 2023.
  30. ↑ "All school enrollment figures for 2023-24 sports year with one- and five-year enrollment comparisons". 27 November 2023.
  31. ↑ "All school enrollment figures for 2023-24 sports year with one- and five-year enrollment comparisons". 27 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "Boys Cross Country - Records & Results | Boys Cross Country | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  33. ↑ "Football - Records & Results | Football | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  34. ↑ "Boys Volleyball - Record & Results | Boys Volleyball | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  35. ↑ "Girls Volleyball - Records & Results | Girls Volleyball | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  36. ↑ "Boys Basketball - State Records & Results | Boys Basketball | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  37. ↑ "Girls Basketball - Records & Results | Girls Basketball | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  38. ↑ https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF//Results/statechampsbyschool.htm
  39. ↑ "Wrestling - Records & Results | Wrestling | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  40. ↑ "Spring Baseball - State Records & Results | Baseball | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  41. ↑ "Boys Golf - State Results Archive".
  42. ↑ "Softball - Records & Results | Softball | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  43. ↑ "Records & Results | Boys Track & Field | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".
  44. ↑ "Girls Track & Field - Records & Results | Girls Track & Field | Sports | Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association".

South Central Conference (official site)

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