Trailways Conference

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Trailways Conference Logo.jpg

The Trailways Conference is a high school athletic conference in Wisconsin. Formed in 2001, its membership consists of smaller public and private high schools in east central and south central Wisconsin. All member schools belong to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Contents

History

Trailways Conference
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30km
19miles
15
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Location of Original Trailways Conference Members

Primary alignment

The Trailways Conference was formed in 2001 with most of the members coming from two recently disbanded conferences for small schools in south central Wisconsin: the Dual County Conference (Cambria-Friesland, Fall River, Green Lake, Montello, Pardeeville, Princeton, Randolph, Rio) and the Eastern Suburban Conference (Deerfield, Dodgeland, Hustisford, Johnson Creek and Williams Bay). Two private schools who had recently joined the WIAA as part of the WIAA/WISAA merger (Abundant Life Christian in Madison and Valley Christian in Oshkosh) rounded out the initial membership roster of the Trailways Conference. [1] The fifteen schools were initially subdivided into North and South Divisions:

North DivisionSouth Division
Cambria-FrieslandAbundant Life Christian
Green LakeDeerfield
MontelloDodgeland
PardeevilleFall River
PrincetonHustisford
RandolphJohnson Creek
Valley ChristianRio
Williams Bay

Central Wisconsin Christian joined the conference after leaving the East Central Flyway Conference in 2004, and two years later the Trailways Conference took three more former East Central Flyway schools into the fold: Lourdes Academy, Markesan and Oakfield. All three schools joined the North Division with Pardeeville moving over to the South Division to accommodate the expansion: [2]

North DivisionSouth Division
Cambria-FrieslandAbundant Life Christian
Central Wisconsin ChristianDeerfield
Green LakeDodgeland
Lourdes AcademyFall River
MarkesanHustisford
MontelloJohnson Creek
OakfieldPardeeville
PrincetonRio
RandolphWilliams Bay
Valley Christian

This alignment would only last for two years, as the Trailways split into Central, North and South Divisions in 2008: [3]

Central DivisionNorth DivisionSouth Division
Cambria-FrieslandGreen LakeAbundant Life Christian
Central Wisconsin ChristianLourdes AcademyDeerfield
MarkesanMontelloDodgeland
PardeevilleOakfieldFall River
RandolphPrincetonHustisford
Valley ChristianJohnson Creek
Rio
Williams Bay

In 2012, Green Lake and Princeton High Schools entered into a cooperative agreement for their schools' athletics, and the newly created program remained in the North Division. [4] That same year, Horicon [5] and Madison Country Day School [6] in Waunakee joined the Trailways, and Rio moved to the North Division to keep membership at six schools. The Trailways Conference was realigned to a two-division format in 2013:

North DivisionSouth Division
Cambria-FrieslandAbundant Life Christian
Central Wisconsin ChristianDeerfield
Green Lake/PrincetonDodgeland
Lourdes AcademyFall River
MarkesanHoricon
MontelloHustisford
OakfieldJohnson Creek
PardeevilleMadison Country Day
RandolphRio
Valley ChristianWilliams Bay

In 2014, Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam joined the Trailways South Division, [7] and St. Ambrose Academy in Madison joined with Abundant Life Christian School for most sponsored sports (they would move to their own stand-alone programs in 2023). [8] The North/South divisional alignment would last for two more years before the Trailways realigned to three divisions in 2016:

Central DivisionNorth DivisionSouth Division
Cambria-FrieslandGreen Lake/PrincetonAbundant Life Christian
Central Wisconsin ChristianLourdes AcademyDeerfield
HoriconMarkesanDodgeland
PardeevilleMontelloFall River
RandolphOakfieldHustisford
Wayland AcademyValley ChristianJohnson Creek
Madison Country Day
Rio
St. Ambrose Academy
Williams Bay

This alignment would only last a single season, as Palmyra-Eagle and Parkview joined the Trailways as all-sport members in 2017 after leaving the Rock Valley Conference, [9] bringing conference membership to the current twenty-four teams (twenty-five schools) and the current East/South/West divisional alignment.

Football-only alignment

2001-2020

When the Trailways Conference was formed in 2001, football was among the sports offered by the organization. Thirteen of the original fifteen members participated in the first season of competition (including the Fall River/Rio cooperative team), with Abundant Life Christian and Williams Bay being the only holdouts. ALCS did not offer football at that time, and Williams Bay was a football-only member of the Indian Trails Conference. [10] Two members who were affiliated primarily with the Six Rivers Conference (Belleville/Albany and New Glarus/Monticello) rounded out the original membership roster, and they participated in the first five seasons before their exit to join the Capitol Conference for the 2006 football season. [11] The Trailways Conference was subdivided into large-school and small-school divisions for its first season of football:

Trailways LargeTrailways Small
Belleville/AlbanyCambria-Friesland
DodgelandDeerfield
Fall River/RioGreen Lake
MontelloHustisford
New Glarus/MonticelloJohnson Creek
PardeevilleRandolph
PrincetonValley Christian

There were a few cooperative programs that were football participants during the conference's history due to the small size of some of its members, and divisions realigned frequently based on the acquisition of new member schools and changes in enrollment.

2020-present

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. [12] In this alignment, the eight original members of the realigned Trailways Conference were Cambria-Friesland, Deerfield, Fall River/Rio, Johnson Creek, Lourdes Academy, Randolph, St John's Northwestern Military Academy and Wayland Academy. [13] Six schools were holdovers from the previous two-division setup, while St. John's Northwestern and Wayland Academy held primary affiliation in the Midwest Classic Conference. For the 2022-2023 cycle, the Trailways Conference picked up Pardeeville from the Eastern Suburban Conference as a replacement for Wayland Academy, which dropped football before returning with an eight-man football team in 2023. [14] In 2024, the Trailways Conference lost three members to the Eastern Suburban Conference (Deerfield, Fall River/Rio and Pardeeville) and St. John's Northwestern to eight-man football and the Southeast-8 Conference. [15] Dodgeland and Palmyra-Eagle moved over from the Eastern Suburban Conference and one school each moved over from the Southwest Wisconsin Activities League (Parkview/Albany) and South Central Conference (Westfield) as replacements for the four exiting members. [16] The Trailways Conference will be experiencing significant changes to football membership for the 2026-2027 cycle. Deerfield and Fall River/Rio make their return from the Eastern Suburban Conference, and Randolph will enter into a cooperative program with Cambria-Friesland. Palmyra-Eagle will be leaving the conference due to their impending transition to eight-man football and membership in the Southeast-8 Conference. [17]

List of member schools

Current members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedDivision
Abundant Life Christian Madison, WI Private (Christian)141Challengers  2001 [1] South
Cambria-Friesland Cambria, WI Public100Hilltoppers  2001 [1] West
Central Wisconsin Christian Waupun, WI Private (Reformed)119Crusaders  2004 [2] East
Deerfield Deerfield, WI Public216Demons  2001 [1] South
Dodgeland Juneau, WI Public278Trojans  2001 [1] East
Fall River Fall River, WI Public157Pirates  2001 [1] West
Green Lake/Princeton Green Lake, WI & Princeton, WI Public210Tigersharks  2012 [4] West
Horicon Horicon, WI Public275Marshmen  2012 [5] East
Hustisford Hustisford, WI Public105Falcons  2001 [1] East
Johnson Creek Johnson Creek, WI Public181Bluejays  2001 [1] South
Lourdes Academy Oshkosh, WI Private (Catholic)178Knights  2006 [2] East
Madison Country Day Waunakee, WI Private (Nonsectarian)124Prairie Hawks  2012 [6] South
Markesan Markesan, WI Public254Hornets  2006 [2] West
Montello Montello, WI Public251Hilltoppers  2001 [1] West
Oakfield Oakfield, WI Public158Oaks  2006 [2] East
Palmyra-Eagle Palmyra, WI Public195Panthers  2017 [9] South
Pardeeville Pardeeville, WI Public263Bulldogs  2001 [1] West
Parkview Orfordville, WI Public238Vikings  2017 [9] South
Randolph Randolph, WI Public198Rockets  2001 [1] West
Rio Rio, WI Public111Vikings  2001 [1] West
St. Ambrose Academy Madison, WI Private (Catholic)96Guardians  2014 [8] South
Valley Christian Oshkosh, WI Private (Christian)144Warriors  2001 [1] East
Wayland Academy Beaver Dam, WI Private (Nonsectarian)159Big Red  2014 [7] East
Williams Bay Williams Bay, WI Public178Bulldogs  2001 [1] South

Current football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedPrimary Conference
Westfield Westfield, WI Public295Pioneers  2024 South Central

Former members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Green Lake Green Lake, WI Public101Lakers  2001 [1] 2012 [4] Trailways (coop with Princeton)
Princeton Princeton, WI Public109Tigers  2001 [1] 2012 [4] Trailways (coop with Green Lake)

Former football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliation Enrollment MascotColorsSeasonsConference JoinedPrimary Conference
Belleville/
Albany
Belleville, WI Public359Wildcats  2001-2005 Capitol Six Rivers
New Glarus/
Monticello
New Glarus, WI Public421Glarner Knights  2001-2005 Capitol Six Rivers
Oakfield Oakfield, WI Public158Oaks  2003-2005Trailways East Central Flyway
Palmyra-Eagle Palmyra, WI Public195Panthers  2016Trailways Rock Valley
Parkview/
Albany
Orfordville, WI Public318Vikings   2016Trailways Rock Valley
St. John's Northwestern Delafield, WI Private (Nonsectarian, Military)236Lancers  2020-2023 Southeast-8 Midwest Classic

Membership timeline

Full members

Trailways Conference

 North Division South Division Central DivisionEast Division West Division

Football members

Trailways Conference

 Large Schools Small Schools

Membership map

Trailways Conference
Trailways Conference
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30km
19miles

List of state champions

Fall sports

Boys Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Pardeeville2002Division 3
Girls Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Lourdes Academy2010Division 3
Lourdes Academy2011Division 3
Lourdes Academy2013Division 3
Lourdes Academy2014Division 3
Lourdes Academy2015Division 3
Dodgeland2017Division 3
Lourdes Academy2019Division 3
Football
SchoolYearDivision
Cambria-Friesland2002Division 7
Girls Volleyball
SchoolYearDivision
Williams Bay2003Division 4
Williams Bay2004Division 4
Williams Bay2005Division 4

Winter sports

Boys Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Randolph2002Division 4
Randolph2003Division 4
Randolph2004Division 4
Randolph2005Division 4
Randolph2007Division 4
Randolph2010Division 4
Randolph2011Division 5
Randolph2013Division 5
Hustisford2021Division 5
Lourdes Academy2021Division 4
Randolph2022Division 5

Spring sports

Baseball
SchoolYearDivision
Johnson Creek2007Division 4
Rio2015Division 4
Johnson Creek2025Division 4
Softball
SchoolYearDivision
Horicon2002Division 3
Horicon2003Division 3
Williams Bay2007Division 4
Oakfield2009Division 4
Oakfield2011Division 4
Oakfield2012Division 4
Oakfield2014Division 4
Horicon2018Division 4
Horicon2019Division 4
Oakfield2021Division 5
Girls Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Lourdes Academy2014Division 3
Deerfield2024Division 3

List of conference champions

Boys Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Randolph172002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024
Lourdes Academy112009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
Deerfield92011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Fall River52009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2023
Hustisford42004, 2005, 2006, 2015
Pardeeville42017, 2018, 2024, 2025
Williams Bay42003, 2007, 2008, 2021
Oakfield32022, 2024, 2025
Palmyra-Eagle32018, 2019, 2020
Abundant Life Christian22024, 2025
Markesan22016, 2020
Central Wisconsin Christian12023
Dodgeland12002
Green Lake12010
Horicon12015
Rio12010
Valley Christian12017
Cambria-Friesland0
Green Lake/Princeton0
Johnson Creek0
Madison Country Day0
Montello0
Parkview0
Princeton0
St. Ambrose Academy0
Wayland Academy0

Girls Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Lourdes Academy132009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024, 2025
Deerfield92002, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Markesan92007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019
Fall River82011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020
Randolph72005, 2006, 2009, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Hustisford42004, 2006, 2008, 2009
Oakfield42009, 2020, 2021, 2022
Rio32005, 2007, 2017
Cambria-Friesland22003, 2004
Palmyra-Eagle22018, 2021
Pardeeville22002, 2025
Abundant Life Christian12003
Central Wisconsin Christian12010
Parkview12019
Dodgeland0
Green Lake0
Green Lake/Princeton0
Horicon0
Johnson Creek0
Madison Country Day0
Montello0
Princeton0
St. Ambrose Academy0
Valley Christian0
Wayland Academy0
Williams Bay0

Football

SchoolQuantityYears
Cambria-Friesland102001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022
Pardeeville62005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Randolph62003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2020
Johnson Creek42005, 2007, 2023, 2024
Lourdes Academy42011, 2013, 2019, 2021
Fall River32013, 2017, 2018
Markesan32015, 2016, 2017
New Glarus/
Monticello
32001, 2002, 2005
Deerfield22012, 2014
Horicon/
Hustisford
22018, 2019
Oakfield22003, 2004
Dodgeland12004
Hustisford12005
Rio12008
Abundant Life Christian0
Belleville/
Albany
0
Fall River/
Rio
0
Green Lake0
Horicon0
Montello0
Montello/
Princeton
0
Montello/
Princeton/
Green Lake
0
Palmyra-Eagle0
Parkview/
Albany
0
Princeton0
St. John's Northwestern0
Valley Christian0
Wayland Academy0
Westfield0

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Hernandez, Rob (May 2, 2000). "Realignment falls right into place". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. 4B. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Prepping for a new look?". Wisconsin State Journal. July 30, 2004. p. 12. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  3. "Markesan streaks into new season". Fond du Lac Reporter. November 28, 2008. pp. 23 (Basketball 2008–09 insert). Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Outlook: Prep Boys Basketball". Wisconsin State Hournal. December 21, 2012. pp. B7. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  5. 1 2 Kahl, Tom (November 17, 2012). "Walking the plank". Portage Daily Register. p. 8. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Semrau, Dennis (October 20, 2011). "Small enrollments with broad ambitions". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. B8. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Wayland's move makes geographic, common sense". Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. January 30, 2014. p. 13. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  8. 1 2 Masson, Jon (December 17, 2023). ""Cool being the start of something"". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. C1. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 "Prep sports: WIAA board OKs moving Palmyra-Eagle, Orfordville Parkview from Rock Valley Conference to Trailways". Wisconsin State Journal. January 27, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  10. Schwab, Frank (January 25, 2001). "Valley Christian ready to join new Trailways league". Oshkosh Northwestern. pp. E4. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  11. Semrau, Dennis (April 13, 2006). "Conference realignment issue won't disappear". The Capital Times. p. 47. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  12. "Revised Football-Only Conference Plan Released". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 9, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  13. "WFCA/WIAA Football-Only Realignment Proposal" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 6, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  14. "Proposed Football Only Conference Alignment - 11-Player" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 11, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  15. "2024-25 Conference Realignment Plan – 8-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. March 7, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  16. "2024-25 Conference Realignment Plan – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. December 14, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  17. "2026 - 27 Conference Realignment – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. December 10, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2025.