Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
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)
AssociationNCAA
Founded1913
CommissionerDanielle Harris (since July 2020)
Sports fielded
  • 22
    • men's: 10
    • women's: 12
DivisionDivision III
No. of teams8
HeadquartersMadison, Wisconsin
RegionWisconsin
Official websitewiacsports.com
Locations
Location of teams in {{{title}}}

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) is a college 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.

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 15 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

Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is located in Wisconsin
UW–Eau Claire
UW–Eau Claire
UW–La Crosse
UW–La Crosse
UW–Oshkosh
UW–Oshkosh
UW–Platteville
UW–Platteville
UW–River Falls
UW–River Falls
UW–Stevens Point
UW–Stevens Point
UW–Stout
UW–Stout
UW–Whitewater
UW–Whitewater
WIAC, full members
  • 1913 – The WIAC was founded as the Inter-Normal Athletic Conference of Wisconsin (INACW). Charter members included La Crosse State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse), Milwaukee State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee), Oshkosh State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh), Platteville Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Platteville), River Falls State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–River Falls), Stevens Point Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point), Superior Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Superior) Whitewater Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater), effective beginning the 1913–14 academic year.
  • 1914 – Stout Institute (now the University of Wisconsin–Stout) joined the INACW, effective in the 1914–15 academic year.
  • 1917 – Eau Claire State Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire) joined the INACW, effective in the 1917–18 academic year.
  • 1926 – The INACW has been rebranded as the Wisconsin State Teachers College Conference, effective in the 1926–27 academic year.
  • 1951 – The WSTCC has been rebranded as the Wisconsin State College Conference, effective in the 1951–52 academic year.
  • 1964 – Wisconsin–Milwaukee left the WSTCC, effective after the 1963–64 academic year.
  • 1964 – The WSCC has been rebranded as the Wisconsin State University Conference, effective in the 1964–65 academic year.
  • 1997 – The WSUC was merged with the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC, a women's athletic conference) and was rebranded as the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), effective in the 1997–98 academic year.
  • 2001 – Lawrence University joined the WIAC as an affiliate member for wrestling, effective in the 2001–02 academic year.
  • 2004 – Gustavus Adolphus College, Hamline University and Winona State University joined the WIAC as associate members for gymnastics, effective in the 2004–05 academic year.
  • 2009 – Lawrence left the WIAC as an affiliate member for wrestling, effective after the 2008–09 academic year.
  • 2009 – Finlandia University joined the WIAC as an affiliate member for men's soccer, effective the 2009 fall season (2009–10 academic year).
  • 2015 – Wisconsin–Superior left the WIAC to join the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), effective after the 2014–15 academic year; while remaining in the conference as an affiliate member for men's & women's ice hockey, effective beginning the 2015–16 academic year.
  • 2016 – Finlandia left the WIAC as an affiliate member for men's soccer, effective after the 2015 fall season (2015–16 academic year).
  • 2017 – Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech or IIT) joined the WIAC as an affiliate member for baseball, effective in the 2018 spring season (2017–18 academic year).
  • 2018 – Illinois Tech (IIT) left the WIAC as an affiliate member for baseball, effective after the 2018 spring season (2017–18 academic year).
  • 2018 – Finlandia re–joined back to the WIAC as an affiliate member (this time for baseball), effective in the 2019 spring season (2018–19 academic year).
  • 2019 – Northland College joined the WIAC as an affiliate member for men's and women's ice hockey, effective in the 2019–20 academic year.
  • 2023 – Finlandia closed at the end of the 2022-23 academic year and thus, left the WIAC as an affiliate member for baseball, effective after the 2023 spring season.

Member schools

Current members

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

Institution Location[lower-alpha 1] Founded Affiliation Undergraduate
enrollment
Nickname Joined Colors
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Eau Claire 1916 Public[lower-alpha 2] 10,043[8] Blugolds 1917–18    
University of Wisconsin–La Crosse La Crosse 1909 9,708[8] Eagles 1913–14    
University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Oshkosh 1871 15,111[8] Titans 1913–14    
University of Wisconsin–Platteville Platteville 1866 8,134[8] Pioneers 1913–14    
University of Wisconsin–River Falls River Falls 1874 5,725[8] Falcons 1913–14    
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point Stevens Point 1894 8,792[8] Pointers 1913–14    
University of Wisconsin–Stout Menomonie 1891 7,555[8] Blue Devils 1914–15    
University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Whitewater 1868 11,722[8] Warhawks 1913–14    
Notes
  1. All cities are located with the State of Wisconsin.
  2. Part of the University of Wisconsin System.

Affiliate members

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

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Undergraduate
enrollment
Nickname Joined Colors Primary
conference
WIAC
sport(s)
Gustavus Adolphus College St. Peter, Minnesota 1862 Lutheran ELCA 2,600 Golden Gusties 2004–05     Minnesota (MIAC) gymnastics
Hamline University Saint Paul, Minnesota 1854 United Methodist 2,100 Pipers 2004–05     Minnesota (MIAC) gymnastics
Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin 1906 United Church of Christ 700 LumberJacks &
LumberJills
2019–20m.i.h.;
2019–20w.i.h.
    Upper Midwest (UMAC) men's ice hockey;
women's ice hockey
University of Wisconsin–Superior Superior, Wisconsin 1893 Public 2,294[8] Yellowjackets 2015–16m.i.h.;
2015–16w.i.h.[lower-alpha 1]
    Upper Midwest (UMAC) men's ice hockey;
women's ice hockey
Winona State University Winona, Minnesota 1858 Public 8,896 Warriors 2004–05     Northern Sun (NSIC)
(NCAA D-II)
gymnastics
Notes
  1. 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]

Future affiliate members

The WIAC currently has one future affiliate member,[10] a private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Undergraduate
enrollment
Nickname Joining Colors Primary
conference
WIAC
sport(s)
Simpson College Indianola, Iowa 1860 Private 1,225 Storm 2024–25     American Rivers (ARC) gymnastics
Notes

    Former members

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

    Institution Location[lower-alpha 1] Founded Affiliation Undergraduate
    enrollment
    Nickname Joined Left Current
    conference
    University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee[lower-alpha 2] Milwaukee 1885 Public[lower-alpha 3] 22,767[8] Cardinals[lower-alpha 4] 1913–14 1963–64 Horizon
    (NCAA D-I)
    University of Wisconsin–Superior Superior 1893 2,294[8] Yellowjackets 1913–14 2014–15 Upper Midwest (UMAC)
    Notes
    1. Both cities are located within the State of Wisconsin.
    2. Now known for athletics purposes as "Milwaukee".
    3. Part of the University of Wisconsin System.
    4. Nickname changed to the current "Panthers" name, effective in the 1964–65 school year, immediately after leaving the league.

    Former affiliate members

    The WIAC had three former affiliate members, all were private schools:

    Institution Location Founded Affiliation Undergraduate
    enrollment
    Nickname Joined Left Current
    conference
    WIAC
    sport
    Lawrence University Appleton, Wisconsin 1847 Nonsectarian 1,555 Vikings 2001–02 2008–09 Midwest (MWC) wrestling
    Finlandia University Hancock, Michigan 1896 Lutheran ELCA 500 Lions 2009–10m.soc.
    2018-19bsb.
    2015–16m.soc.
    2022-23bsb.
    closed in 2023 men's soccer;
    baseball
    Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, Illinois 1890 Nonsectarian 2,977 Scarlet Hawks 2017–18 2017–18 Northern (NACC) baseball
    Notes

      Membership timeline

      Simpson 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 Crosse

      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, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. The WIAC is the only NCAA Division III all-sports conference that does not sponsor men's soccer.

      Conference sports
      SportMen'sWomen's
      Baseball
      Green tickY
      Basketball
      Green tickY
      Green tickY
      Cross Country
      Green tickY
      Green tickY
      Football
      Green tickY
      Golf
      Green tickY
      Gymnastics
      Green tickY
      Ice hockey
      Green tickY
      Green tickY
      Soccer
      Green tickY
      Softball
      Green tickY
      Swimming & Diving
      Green tickY
      Green tickY
      Tennis
      Green tickY
      Track and field (indoor)
      Green tickY
      Green tickY
      Track and field (outdoor)
      Green tickY
      Green tickY
      Volleyball
      Green tickY
      Wrestling
      Green tickY

      Men's sponsored sports by school

      SchoolBaseballBasketballCross CountryFootballIce HockeySwimming & DivingTrack & Field
      (Indoor)
      Track & Field
      (Outdoor)
      WrestlingTotal WIAC Sports
      Wisconsin–Eau ClaireGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick9
      Wisconsin–La CrosseGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick8
      Wisconsin–OshkoshGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick8
      Wisconsin–PlattevilleGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick7
      Wisconsin–River FallsRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickRed X6
      Wisconsin–Stevens PointGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick9
      Wisconsin–StoutGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickRed X7
      Wisconsin–WhitewaterGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick8
      Totals78884+2[lower-alpha 1]588664
      1. Affiliate members Northland and Wisconsin–Superior.

      Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the WIAC

      SchoolGolfSoccerTennisVolleyball
      Wisconsin–Eau ClaireIndependentIndependentNJACNo
      Wisconsin–La CrosseNoNoNJACNo
      Wisconsin–PlattevilleNoIndependentNoNo
      Wisconsin–Stevens PointIndependentNoNJACIndependent
      Wisconsin–StoutIndependentIndependentNoNo
      Wisconsin–WhitewaterNoIndependentNJACNo

      Women's sponsored sports by school

      SchoolBasketballCross CountryGolfGymnasticsIce HockeySoccerSoftballSwimming & DivingTennisTrack & Field
      (Indoor)
      Track & Field
      (Outdoor)
      VolleyballTotal WIAC Sports
      Wisconsin–Eau ClaireGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick12
      Wisconsin–La CrosseGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick11
      Wisconsin–OshkoshGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick11
      Wisconsin–PlattevilleGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XRed XGreen tickGreen tickRed XRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick8
      Wisconsin–River FallsGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick10
      Wisconsin–Stevens PointGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick11
      Wisconsin–StoutGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick10
      Wisconsin–WhitewaterGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickRed XGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tickGreen tick11
      Totals8885+3[lower-alpha 1]3+2[lower-alpha 2]885788889
      1. Affiliate members Gustavus Adolphus, Hamline, and Winona State.
      2. Affiliate members Northland and Wisconsin–Superior.

      Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the WIAC

      SchoolBowlingLacrosseWrestling
      Wisconsin–Eau ClaireNoIndependentNo
      Wisconsin–La CrosseNoIndependentNo
      Wisconsin–River FallsNoIndependentNo
      Wisconsin–Stevens PointNoIndependentIndependent
      Wisconsin–StoutNoIndependentNo
      Wisconsin–WhitewaterIndependentNoNo


      National championship teams

      NCAA Division III national championships

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

      • Baseball

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

      • Men's basketball

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

      • Women's Basketball

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

      • Men's Cross Country

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

      • Women's Cross Country

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

      • Football

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

      • Men's Golf

      UW–Eau Claire: 2001

      • Men's Ice Hockey

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

      • Softball

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

      • Men's Indoor Track & Field

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

      • Men's Outdoor Track & Field

      UW–La Crosse: 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017
      UW–Oshkosh: 2009

      • Women's Indoor Track & Field

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

      • Women's Outdoor Track & Field

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

      • Women's Volleyball

      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). [11]

      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*

      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

      School Football stadium Capacity Basketball arena Capacity
      UW–Eau Claire Carson Park 6,500 W. L. Zorn Arena 2,450
      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 13,200 Williams Center 3,000

      References

      1. 1 2 3 "History". wiacsports.com.
      2. "WIAC Announces Plans For Celebrating Its Centennial". wiacsports.com.
      3. "Quick Facts". wiacsports.com.
      4. "National Championship Teams". wiacsports.com.
      5. "All-Time Teams". wiacsports.com.
      6. "WIAC Centennial Artwork Now Available". wiacsports.com.
      7. "WIAC Centennial Calendars Now Available". wiacsports.com.
      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. "Simpson College Added As Affiliate Member In Women's Gymnastics". wiacsports.com.
      11. "National Championship Teams". wiacsports.com. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
      This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.