WIAC Celebrating 50 Years Of Sponsoring Women’s Championships
The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will celebrate 50 years of sponsoring women's championships during the 2020-21 academic year. The first women's championships were conducted during the 1971-72 academic year in the sports of badminton, basketball, outdoor track & field, softball, swimming & diving, and volleyball.
The WIAC was originally formed in July, 1913 when an organizational meeting of the Wisconsin State University Athletic Conference, then to be known as the State Normal Conference was held in Madison. After the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) was formed during the 1971-72 academic year, the Wisconsin State University Conference (WSUC) and WWIAC operated as separate men's and women's conferences for 26 years.
On July 1, 1997, the nine members of the WSUC and the WWIAC were joined together to form the WIAC. At 108 years old, it is the ninth-oldest conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Following is a detailed timeline of the WWIAC:
1958 – The Wisconsin Athletic and Recreation Federation was formed for the purpose of coordinating athletic activity among Wisconsin Institutions of higher education. This organization followed the national model in which governance was primarily the responsibility of student leaders. The WARFCW included representatives from:
Eau Claire State College
La Crosse State College
Oshkosh State College
Platteville State College
Ripon College
River Falls State College
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The WARFCW held sports days in archery, badminton, basketball, golf, gymnastics, tennis and volleyball.
1966 – A motion to force a women's athletic conference presented, but defeated.
1969 – Annual convention held at Carthage College in Kenosha. Motion to limit number of sports days per sport to one was passed. This constituted a state meet in each particular sport. Member institutions would be allowed to travel to other member schools for dual meets.
1970 – Spring meeting was held in Stevens Point. Directive issued by President Martha van Steenderen that Judy Wilson and Mary Jo Mullen seek information about the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Organization for Women and the Wisconsin State University Conference (WSUC). Changes and additions made to existing constitution.
Fall, 1970 – WARFCW member school advisors officially agree to develop an athletic conference for women. Committee appointed to draft the constitution for the WWIAC. This committee included:
Mary Ann Riccio – Wisconsin State University, Whitewater
Helen Briwa – Wisconsin State University, Oshkosh
Mary Jo Mullen – Wisconsin State University, Stevens Point
Jan. 31, 1971 – The representatives voted unanimously for the WWIAC.
March 26 & 27, 1971 – First scheduled WWIAC governing body meeting on the Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point campus. The 12-member institutions and their representatives were:
Carthage College – Diane Mizerka
Wisconsin State University-Eau Claire – Judy Kruckman
Wisconsin State University-La Crosse – Lee Stephenson
Wisconsin State University-Oshkosh – Helen Briwa
Wisconsin State University-Platteville – Patricia Collins
Wisconsin State University-River Falls – Judy Wilson
Wisconsin State University-Stevens Point – Mary Jo Mullen
Wisconsin State University-Stout – Kay Carter
Wisconsin State University-Superior – Lydia Binger
Wisconsin State University-Whitewater – Mary Ann Riccio
University of Wisconsin-Madison – Kit Saunders
University of Wisconsin-Parkside – Pat Mattek
Mary Jo Mullen was appointed Chair; Patricia Collins, Chair-Elect; and Kit Saunders, Secretary-Treasurer.
Fall, 1971 – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee joined WWIAC. Thirteen total member schools.
1972 – WWIAC became affiliated member of the Midwest Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (MAIAW).
1972 – University of Wisconsin merged with the Wisconsin State University System.
Fall, 1973 – Carroll College joined WWIAC. Fourteen total member schools.
Fall, 1974 – University of Wisconsin-Green Bay joined the WWIAC. Fifteen total member schools.
Fall, 1975 – Marquette University joined WWIAC. Sixteen total member schools.
1975 – University of Wisconsin System allocated part-time position for coordination of WWIAC. Gail Grimm appointed Executive Secretary.
1977 – Executive Secretary position expanded to full-time position on interim basis. Emogene A. Nelson named to that position.
1978 – Council of Chancellors appointed a Council of Six (plus one to be named by private colleges) to serve liaison functions with WWIAC, WSUC, and WCC. Executive Secretary title changed to Commissioner, WWIAC.
1979 – Council of Six, in concert with the WWIAC, conducts national Search and Screen effort. Janice Stocker hired as Commissioner commencing August 1, 1979.
1980 – Janice Stocker served her first year as Commissioner of WWIAC. Liaison was established with the independent schools of Wisconsin. Consolidation of Board of Officials. New Board: Wisconsin (NAGWS) Board of Officials located at UW-Whitewater under the direction of Mary Ann Riccio.
1981 – New Commission: Wisconsin AIAW Commission to establish policies and procedures for State (Qualifying) Tournaments – Lee Stephenson, Chair. Assignment of basketball officials for conference games from WWIAC office.
1982 – AIAW/MAIAW defunct. Member institutions identifying with other national governing bodies – NCAA/NAIA. First Scholar-Athlete banquet held at Maple Bluff Country Club in Madison.
1983 – Restructure of WWIAC. No divisional structure for Championships.
1984 – Membership voted on a non-scholarship conference. Faculty representatives were added to the structure. Marquette and Milwaukee are no longer conference members. Added paid Supervisors of Officials for basketball and volleyball. Janice Stocker resigns as Commissioner effective August 31, 1984. Judy Kruckman appointed Acting Commissioner and assumed duties on October 1, 1984. Position of treasurer eliminated; state account established.
1985 – Conference Office assigns all basketball officials for 1985-86 season. Faculty Athletic Representatives give approval to major Constitution revisions which incorporate the most stringent national rule. Ethics Committee was eliminated. Basketball schedules round-robin (home-away) for season play and standings determine conference champion. Judy Kruckman was named Commissioner after national search and screen.
1986-87 – Green Bay no longer a conference member.
1987-88 – NAIA and NCAA pass tougher academic standards for athletic eligibility.
1988-89 – Conference initiates studies of Equity and Sport Module legislation.
1989-90 – Faculty representatives, athletic directors and championships athletes celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day with Board of Regents and Chancellors. Equity Studies completed by each institution.
1990-91 – Time frames for addressing Equity Study recommendations submitted by each campus.
1991-92 – Gender Equity in athletics status reports submitted by each member institution. National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebrated with the acceptance by UW System President Katharine Lyall of the $5,000 AAUW Legal Advocacy Fund award at a luncheon in Madison with faculty athletic representatives, athletic directors, athletes and AAUW personnel.
1992-93 – Soccer is added as a conference sport. Gender equity status reports are submitted to System and Conference Offices. Max Sparger retires (WSUC/WCC) after 22 years at Commissioner (July 15).
1993-94 – Gender equity efforts continued with two Office of Civil Rights meetings to provide technical assistance.
1994-95 – Commissioner Judy Kruckman and Barbara Meyer visit all member campuses to distribute and discuss the most recent Title IX interpretations and clarifications made by the Office of Civil Rights.
1995-96 – The WWIAC celebrates its 25th anniversary. Initial steps taken to merge the WWIAC and WSUC.
1997 – The WWIAC and WSUC merged into a single conference – the WIAC.