Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Last updated
Wisconsin Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference
WIAClogo.svg
FormerlyInter-Normal Athletic Conference of Wisconsin (1913–1926)
Wisconsin State Teachers College Conference (1926–1951)
Wisconsin State College Conference (1951–1964)
Wisconsin State University Athletic Conference (1964–1997)
Association NCAA
Founded1913;112 years ago (1913)
CommissionerDanielle Harris (since July 2020)
Sports fielded
  • 24
    • men's: 11
    • women's: 13
Division Division III
No. of teams8
Headquarters Madison, Wisconsin
Region Wisconsin
Official website wiacsports.com
Locations
WIAC-USA-states.png

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the NCAA's Division III. In women's gymnastics, it competes alongside Division I and II members, as the NCAA sponsors a single championship event open to members of all NCAA divisions. As the name implies, member teams are located in the state of Wisconsin, although there are three associate members from Minnesota and one from Illinois. All full members are part of the University of Wisconsin System.

Contents

History

In 1913, representatives from Wisconsin's eight normal schools—Superior Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Superior), River Falls State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin-River Falls), Stevens Point Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point), La Crosse State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse), Oshkosh State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh), Whitewater Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater), Milwaukee State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee) and Platteville Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Platteville)—met in Madison to organize the Inter-Normal Athletic Conference of Wisconsin. The Stout Institute (now the University of Wisconsin–Stout) joined in 1914, followed by Eau Claire State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire) in 1917. [1]

The conference evolved with the growing educational mission of its member schools. It changed its name to the Wisconsin State Teachers College Conference in 1926, and the Wisconsin State College Conference in 1951. Finally, in 1964, it became the Wisconsin State University Conference.

In 1971, the member schools of the WSUC joined with the University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Wisconsin–Parkside and Carthage College to form the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. By 1975, UW–Milwaukee, Carroll College, the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and Marquette University had also joined. With the dissolution of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women in 1982, the member schools joined their male counterparts in either the NCAA or NAIA. By 1993, the non-NCAA Division III members had all dropped out, resulting in the WWIAC having the same membership as the WSUC. Under the circumstances, a merger was inevitable. In 1996, Gary Karner was named commissioner of both the WSUC and the WWIAC. The two conferences formally merged in 1997 to form the current WIAC. [1]

Effective with the 2001–02 academic year, Lawrence University joined the conference in the sport of wrestling. Three Minnesota schools, Gustavus Adolphus College, Hamline University and Winona State University, became members of the conference in the sport of women's gymnastics during the 2004–05 academic year. In 2009–10, the conference added men’s soccer as a sponsored sport with the announcement of Michigan school Finlandia University as an affiliate member. Lawrence discontinued its affiliation with the WIAC in wrestling. [1]

The conference remained unusually stable over the years; the only changes in full membership being the departures of UW–Milwaukee in 1964 and UW–Superior in 2015.

Centennial celebration

The ninth-oldest conference in the nation, the WIAC celebrated its centennial year during the 2012–13 academic year. [2] Additionally, the WIAC is the most successful NCAA Division III conference in history, boasting NCAA National Championships in 14 different sports. [3] At the beginning of the 2011–12 academic year, the conference had claimed a nation-leading 92 NCAA National Championships. [4]

To celebrate its centennial, the conference named All-Time Teams in each sport that is currently or was previously recognized as a "championship" sport within the conference. [5] Furthermore, the WIAC commissioned a commemorative work of art, created by Tim Cortes, [6] and has also created a two-year calendar in celebration of its centennial. [7]

The celebration was headlined by its Centennial Banquet held on August 4, 2012, at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Among the honorees at the event were the All-Time Team members and the inaugural class to the WIAC Hall of Fame.

Chronological timeline

USA Wisconsin location map.svg
Red pog.svg
UW–Eau Claire
Red pog.svg
UW–La Crosse
Red pog.svg
UW–Oshkosh
Red pog.svg
UW–Platteville
Red pog.svg
UW–River Falls
Red pog.svg
UW–Stevens Point
Red pog.svg
UW–Stout
Red pog.svg
UW–Whitewater
WIAC, full members

Member schools

Current members

The WIAC currently has eight full members, all are public schools:

InstitutionLocation [a] FoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [b] Colors
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire
(UW Eau Claire)
Eau Claire 1916Public [c] 10,043 [8] Blugolds 1917   
University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
(UW La Crosse)
La Crosse 1909Public [c] 9,708 [8] Eagles 1913   
University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
(UW Oshkosh)
Oshkosh 1871Public [c] 15,111 [8] Titans 1913   
University of Wisconsin–Platteville
(UW Platteville)
Platteville 1866Public [c] 8,134 [8] Pioneers 1913   
University of Wisconsin–River Falls
(UW River Falls)
River Falls 1874Public [c] 5,725 [8] Falcons 1913   
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
(UW Stevens Point)
Stevens Point 1894Public [c] 8,792 [8] Pointers 1913   
University of Wisconsin–Stout
(UW Stout)
Menomonie 1891Public [c] 7,555 [8] Blue Devils 1914   
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater
(UW Whitewater)
Whitewater 1868Public [c] 11,722 [8] Warhawks 1913   
Notes
  1. All cities are located with the State of Wisconsin.
  2. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Part of the University of Wisconsin System.

Affiliate members

The WIAC currently has thirteen affiliate members, all but five are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] ColorsWIAC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Augsburg University Minneapolis, Minnesota 1869 Lutheran ELCA 3,152 Auggies 2024  Women's lacrosse Minnesota (MIAC)
Beloit College Beloit, Wisconsin 1846Nonsectarian1,358 Buccaneers 2025   Men's ice hockey Midwest (MWC)
2025Women's ice hockey
College of Saint Benedict St. Joseph, Minnesota 1913 Catholic
(Benedictines)
1,410 Bennies 2024  Women's lacrosse Minnesota (MIAC)
Colorado College Colorado Springs, Colorado 1874Nonsectarian2,266 Tigers 2023   Women's lacrosse Southern (SCAC)
Gustavus Adolphus College St. Peter, Minnesota 1862 Lutheran ELCA 2,600 Golden
Gusties
2004   Gymnastics Minnesota (MIAC)
Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota 1854 United
Methodist
2,100 Pipers 2004   Gymnastics Minnesota (MIAC)
2024Women's lacrosse
Rutgers University–Camden Camden, New Jersey 1950Public5,450 Scarlet
Raptors
2023  Men's tennis New Jersey (NJAC)
Simpson College Indianola, Iowa 1860Private1,225 Storm 2024   Gymnastics American Rivers (ARC)
Southwestern University Georgetown, Texas 1840United
Methodist
1,536 Pirates 2023  Women's lacrosse Southern (SAA)
State University of New York at Oneonta
(SUNY Oneonta)
Oneonta, New York 1889Public [b] 6,543 Red Dragons 2023   Men's tennis S.U. New York (SUNYAC)
The College of New Jersey Ewing, New Jersey 1855Public7,400 Lions 2023   Men's tennis New Jersey (NJAC)
University of Wisconsin–Superior
(UW Superior)
Superior, Wisconsin 1893Public [c] 2,294 [8] Yellowjackets 2015 [d]    Men's ice hockey Upper Midwest (UMAC)
2015 [d] Women's ice hockey
Winona State University Winona, Minnesota 1858Public8,896 Warriors 2004   Gymnastics Northern Sun (NSIC) [e]
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Part of the State University of New York System.
  3. Part of the University of Wisconsin System.
  4. 1 2 Wisconsin–Superior had been a full member of the WIAC from 1913–14 to 2014–15. [9] However, they remain as affiliate members for men's and women's ice hockey. [9]
  5. Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.

Future affiliate members

The WIAC has one future affiliate member, which is a private school:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] ColorsWIAC
sport(s)
Primary
conference
Greenville University Greenville, Illinois 1892 Free Methodist 1,088 Panthers 2026   Gymnastics St. Louis (SLIAC)
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.

Former members

The WIAC had two former full members, both were public schools:

InstitutionLocation [a] FoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [b] Left [c] Current
conference
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee [d]
(UW Milwaukee)
Milwaukee 1885Public [e] 22,767 [8] Cardinals [f] 19131964 Horizon [g]
University of Wisconsin–Superior
(UW Superior)
Superior 1893Public [e] 2,294 [8] Yellowjackets 19132015 Upper Midwest (UMAC)
Notes
  1. Both cities are located within the State of Wisconsin.
  2. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  3. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  4. Now known for athletics purposes as "Milwaukee".
  5. 1 2 Part of the University of Wisconsin System.
  6. Nickname changed to the current "Panthers" name, effective in the 1964–65 school year, immediately after leaving the league.
  7. Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.

Former affiliate members

The WIAC had five former affiliate members, all but one were private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Left [b] WIAC
sport(s)
Current
conference
Finlandia University Hancock, Michigan 1896 Lutheran ELCA 500 Lions 20092015Men's soccerClosed in 2023
20182023Baseball
Illinois Institute of Technology
(Illinois Tech)
Chicago, Illinois 1890Nonsectarian2,977 Scarlet Hawks 20172018Baseball Northern (NACC)
Lawrence University Appleton, Wisconsin 1847Nonsectarian1,555 Vikings 20022009Men's wrestling Midwest (MWC)
Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin 1906 United Church
of Christ
700 LumberJacks &
LumberJills
20192025Men's ice hockeyClosed in 2025
20192025Women's ice hockey
Ramapo College Mahwah, New Jersey 1969Public5,145 Roadrunners 20232024Men's tennis New Jersey (NJAC)
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.

Membership timeline

Greenville UniversityBeloit CollegeSimpson CollegeCollege of St. BenedictAugsburg UniversityThe College of New JerseyState University of New York at OneontaSouthwestern UniversityRutgers University–CamdenRamapo CollegeColorado CollegeNorthland College (Wisconsin)Illinois Institute of TechnologyFinlandia UniversityWinona State UniversityHamline UniversityGustavus Adolphus CollegeLawrence UniversityUniversity of Wisconsin–Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin–StoutUniversity of Wisconsin–WhitewaterUpper Midwest Athletic ConferenceUniversity of Wisconsin–SuperiorUniversity of Wisconsin–Stevens PointUniversity of Wisconsin–River FallsUniversity of Wisconsin–PlattevilleUniversity of Wisconsin–OshkoshHorizon LeagueSummit LeagueUniversity of Wisconsin–MilwaukeeUniversity of Wisconsin–La CrosseWisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

 Full member (all sports)  Full member (non-football)  Associate member (football)  Associate member (sport) 

Sports

Member institutions field men's and women's teams in cross country, basketball, ice hockey, track and field, and swimming and diving. Men's teams are fielded for baseball, football, and wrestling. Women's teams are fielded for golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball
Green check.svgY
Basketball
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Cross country
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Football
Green check.svgY
Golf
Green check.svgY
Gymnastics
Green check.svgY
Ice hockey
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Lacrosse
Green check.svgY
Soccer
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Softball
Green check.svgY
Swimming & diving
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Tennis
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Track and field (indoor)
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Track and field (outdoor)
Green check.svgY
Green check.svgY
Volleyball
Green check.svgY
Wrestling
Green check.svgY

Men's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBaseballBasketballCross
country
FootballIce hockeySoccerSwimming
& diving
TennisTrack & field
(indoor)
Track & field
(outdoor)
WrestlingTotal
WIAC
sports
Wisconsin–Eau ClaireGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Wisconsin–La CrosseGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg9
Wisconsin–OshkoshGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
Wisconsin–PlattevilleGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
Wisconsin–River FallsGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg7
Wisconsin–Stevens PointGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Wisconsin–StoutGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg8
Wisconsin–WhitewaterGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
Totals88884+1 [a] 654+3 [b] 88677
  1. Affiliate member Wisconsin–Superior.
  2. Affiliate members SUNY Oneonta, Rutgers–Camden and TCNJ.

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the WIAC

SchoolGolfVolleyball
Wisconsin–Eau ClaireInd.No
Wisconsin–Stevens PointInd.Ind.
Wisconsin–StoutInd.No

Women's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBasketballCross
country
GolfGymnasticsIce hockeyLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimming
& diving
TennisTrack & field
(indoor)
Track & field
(outdoor)
VolleyballTotal
WIAC
sports
Wisconsin–Eau ClaireGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg13
Wisconsin–La CrosseGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg12
Wisconsin–OshkoshGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Wisconsin–PlattevilleGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg8
Wisconsin–River FallsGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Wisconsin–Stevens PointGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg12
Wisconsin–StoutGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Wisconsin–WhitewaterGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Totals8885+4 [a] 3+1 [b] 5+5 [c] 885788889+8
  1. Affiliate members Gustavus Adolphus, Hamline, Simpson and Winona State.
  2. Affiliate member Wisconsin–Superior.
  3. Affiliate members Colorado College, Southwestern (Tex.), Augsburg, Saint Benedict and Hamline

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the WIAC

SchoolBowlingWrestling
Wisconsin–Stevens PointNoInd.
Wisconsin–WhitewaterInd.No

National championship teams

NCAA Division III national championships

Listed below are the NCAA Division III team national championships won by WIAC members.

UW–Oshkosh: 1985, 1994
UW–Whitewater: 2005, 2014, 2025

UW–Whitewater: 1984, 1989, 2012, 2014
UW–Platteville: 1991, 1995, 1998, 1999
UW–Stevens Point: 2004, 2005, 2010, 2015
UW–Oshkosh: 2019

UW–Stevens Point: 1987, 2002
UW–Oshkosh: 1996

UW–Oshkosh: 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002
UW–La Crosse: 1996, 2001, 2005
UW–Eau Claire: 2015

UW–La Crosse: 1983
UW–Oshkosh: 1987, 1988, 1991, 1996
UW–Eau Claire: 2009

UW–La Crosse: 1992, 1995
UW–Whitewater: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014

UW–Eau Claire: 2001

UW–River Falls: 1988, 1994
UW–Stevens Point: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 2016, 2019
UW–Superior: 2002
UW–Eau Claire: 2013

UW–Stevens Point: 1998
UW–Eau Claire: 2008

UW-River Falls: 2024, 2025

UW–La Crosse: 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2023, 2024, 2025
UW–Oshkosh: 2009
UW–Eau Claire: 2015, 2016, 2022

UW–La Crosse: 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024, 2025
UW–Oshkosh: 2009
UW–Eau Claire: 2019, 2022

UW–Oshkosh: 1994–96, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013, 2014
UW–La Crosse: 2015, 2023

UW–La Crosse: 1983, 1984, 2015, 2023
UW–Oshkosh: 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011
UW–River Falls: 2008

UW–Whitewater: 2002, 2005
UW–Eau Claire: 2021

Non-NCAA national championships

Many members of the WIAC have also won national championships from organizations other than the NCAA, including: NAIA, AIAW, NGCA, and National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA). [10]

UW–Eau Claire

Women's Cross Country: 1984^

Men's Ice Hockey: 1984^

Women's Swimming and Diving: 1983^, 1987^, 1988^

UW–La Crosse

Women's Basketball: 1981^^

Men's Bowling: 1967^, 1968^, 1969^

Football: 1985^

Men's Gymnastics: 1975^, 1976^, 1977^

Women's Gymnastics: 1986*, 1988*, 1995*, 1997*, 1999*, 2001*, 2002*, 2003*, 2004*, 2005*, 2006*, 2008*, 2009*, 2010*, 2011*, 2015*, 2016*, 2025*

Women's Outdoor Track and Field: 1982^^

UW–Oshkosh

Men's Gymnastics: 1973^, 1974^, 1978^, 1979^, 1980^ (and NCAA Div. II), 1981^ (and NCAA Div. II), 1982^ (and NCAA Div. II), 1983^

Women's Gymnastics: 1980^^, 1986^, 1989*, 2007*, 2022*, 2023*

UW–River Falls

Men's Ice Hockey: 1983^

UW–Stout

Men's Gymnastics: 1984^

UW–Whitewater

Women's Golf: 1985%

Women's Gymnastics: 2012*, 2013*, 2014*, 2017*, 2018*

UW–Superior (former member)

Men's Ice Hockey: 1976^

Marquette University (former member)

Women's Cross Country: 1982^

UW–Green Bay (former member)

Women's Swimming and Diving: 1984^

UW–Parkside (former member)

Women's Cross Country: 1980^

^ National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

^^ Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW)

* National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA)

% National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA)

Conference facilities

SchoolFootball stadiumCapacityBasketball arenaCapacity
UW–Eau Claire Carson Park 6,500 Sonnentag Event Center 5,000
UW–La Crosse Veterans Memorial Stadium 10,000 Mitchell Hall 2,880
UW–Oshkosh Titan Stadium 9,800 Kolf Sports Center 5,800
UW–Platteville Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium 10,000 Williams Fieldhouse 2,300
UW–River Falls Ramer Field 4,800 Don Page Arena 2,149
UW–Stevens Point Goerke Field 4,000 Quandt Fieldhouse 3,281
UW–Stout Don and Nona Williams Stadium 4,500 Johnson Fieldhouse 1,800
UW–Whitewater Forrest Perkins Stadium 21,000 [11] Williams Center3,000

References

  1. 1 2 3 "History". WIAC Sports.
  2. "WIAC Announces Plans For Celebrating Its Centennial" (Press release). WIAC.
  3. "Quick Facts". WIAC Sports.
  4. "National Championship Teams". WIAC Sports. Archived from the original on 2011-10-15.
  5. "All-Time Teams". WIAC Sports.
  6. "WIAC Centennial Artwork Now Available" (Press release). WIAC.
  7. "WIAC Centennial Calendars Now Available". WIAC Sports.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "The University of Wisconsin System Education Reports & Statistics, Enrollments". University of Wisconsin System. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
  9. 1 2 "UW-Superior To Depart The WIAC". wiacsports.com.
  10. "National Championship Teams". WIAC Sports. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
  11. "Top single-game attendance". D3football.com. 2024-10-29.