# Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association

The Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association is a former organization for high school athletics in Wisconsin. Its membership consisted entirely of parochial high schools, and was in operation from 1957 to 1968.

## History

The origins of the Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association date back to 1928, when Marquette University in Milwaukee sponsored a basketball tournament for the state's Catholic high schools. This was the first such competition in the state, and it eventually became an annual event. In 1957, the thirty-four Catholic high schools participating in that year's tournament assembled to form the Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association. At the time of the WCIAA's founding, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association limited its membership to public high schools, and the WCIAA gave parochial schools the chance to compete for statewide championships. Over the course of its eleven-year existence, the WCIAA sponsored championships for:
* Baseball
* Basketball
* Cross Country
* Golf
* Tennis
* Track and Field
* Wrestling
By the late 1960s, many new independent high schools had opened up in the state of Wisconsin that were outside the Catholic church, sponsored either by other religions or private entities. The forty-one members of the WCIAA added twelve non-Catholic high schools in 1968 (along with Queen of Apostles, a Catholic high school in Madison who was already slated to join) and became the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association to reflect its expanded scope.

## Executive Directors

* Phil Schrempf (1957-1959)
* Steve Pavela (1959-1968)

## WCIAA membership history

| School | Location | Diocese | Enrollment | Mascot | Colors | Joined | Left | Current Status |
| Abbot Pennings | De Pere | Green Bay | N/A | Squires | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1990 (merged into Notre Dame Academy) |
| Aquinas | La Crosse | La Crosse | 307 | Blugolds | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Mississippi Valley) |
| Assumption | Wisconsin Rapids | La Crosse | 139 | Royals | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Marawood) |
| Beloit Catholic | Beloit | Madison | N/A | Crusaders | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 2000 |
| Campion Jesuit | Prairie du Chien | La Crosse | N/A | Red Knights | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1975 |
| Cathedral | Superior | Superior | N/A | Panthers | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1969 |
| Catholic Memorial | Waukesha | Milwaukee | 576 | Crusaders | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Classic Eight) |
| Columbus Catholic | Marshfield | La Crosse | 146 | Dons | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Cloverbelt) |
| De Padua | Ashland | Superior | N/A | Bruins | | 1957 | 1967 | Closed |
| Don Bosco | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | N/A | Dons | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1972 (merged into Thomas More) |
| Edgewood | Madison | Madison | 569 | Crusaders | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Badger) |
| Madonna | Mauston | La Crosse | N/A | Cowboys | | 1957 | 1966 | Closed |
| Marinette Central Catholic | Marinette | Green Bay | 38 | Cavaliers | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Marinette & Oconto) |
| Marquette University | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | 1,794 | Hilltoppers | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Greater Metro) |
| Maryheart | Pittsville | La Crosse | N/A | Golden Eagles | | 1957 | 1961 | Closed |
| McDonell Central Catholic | Chippewa Falls | La Crosse | 206 | Macks | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Cloverbelt) |
| Messmer | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | 499 | Bishops | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Midwest Classic) |
| Newman Catholic | Wausau | La Crosse | 128 | Cardinals | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Marawood) |
| Notre Dame | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | N/A | Redwings | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1988 |
| Our Lady of Premontre | Green Bay | Green Bay | N/A | Cadets | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1990 (merged into Notre Dame Academy) |
| Pacelli | Stevens Point | La Crosse | 169 | Cardinals | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Central Wisconsin) |
| Pius XI | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | 699 | Popes | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Woodland) |
| Regis | Eau Claire | La Crosse | 210 | Ramblers | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Cloverbelt) |
| Sacred Heart | Lima | La Crosse | N/A | Redmen | | 1957 | 1966 | Closed |
| St. Benedict the Moor | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | N/A | Pacers | | 1957 | 1964 | Closed |
| St. Bonaventure | Sturtevant | Milwaukee | N/A | Cardinals | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1983 |
| St. Catherine's | Racine | Milwaukee | 472 | Angels | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Metro Classic) |
| St. Gregory | St. Nazianz | Green Bay | N/A | Fighting Irish | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1969 |
| St. John | Little Chute | Green Bay | N/A | Flying Dutchmen | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1973 |
| St. John's Cathedral | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | N/A | Eagles | | 1957 | 1968 | Closed in 1976 |
| St. Mary | Kenosha | Milwaukee | N/A | Blue Knights | | 1957 | 1958 | Closed |
| St. Mary Catholic | Neenah | Green Bay | 277 | Zephyrs | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Big East) |
| St. Mary's | Burlington | Milwaukee | 128 | Hilltoppers | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Midwest Classic) |
| St. Mary's Springs | Fond du Lac | Milwaukee | 263 | Ledgers | | 1957 | 1968 | WIAA (Wisconsin Flyway) |
| Dominican | Whitefish Bay | Milwaukee | 324 | Knights | | 1958 | 1968 | WIAA (Metro Classic) |
| St. Joseph | Kenosha | Milwaukee | 229 | Lancers | | 1958 | 1968 | WIAA (Metro Classic) |
| Xavier | Appleton | Green Bay | 468 | Hawks | | 1960 | 1968 | WIAA (Bay) |
| Francis Jordan | Milwaukee | Milwaukee | N/A | Cardinals | | 1961 | 1968 | Closed in 1969 |
| Lourdes Academy | Oshkosh | Green Bay | 178 | Knights | | 1961 | 1968 | WIAA (Trailways) |
| Holy Cross Seminary | La Crosse | La Crosse | N/A | Comets | Unknown | 1964 | 1968 | Closed in 1971 |
| de Sales Prep | St. Francis | Milwaukee | N/A | Saints | | 1965 | 1968 | Closed in 1979 |
| Roncalli | Manitowoc | Green Bay | 223 | Jets | | 1965 | 1968 | WIAA (Eastern Wisconsin) |
| Holy Name Seminary | Madison | Madison | N/A | Hilanders | | 1966 | 1968 | Closed in 1995 |
| Sacred Heart Seminary | Oneida | Green Bay | N/A | Scouts | | 1966 | 1968 | Closed in 1976 |
| Salvatorian Seminary | St. Nazianz | Green Bay | N/A | Royals | | 1966 | 1968 | Closed (succeeded by JFK Prep) |
| St. Lawrence Seminary | Mount Calvary | Milwaukee | 256 | Hilltoppers | | 1966 | 1968 | WIAA (Independent) |
| Pio Nono | St. Francis | Milwaukee | N/A | Spartans | | 1967 | 1968 | Closed in 1972 (merged into Thomas More) |

## Former WCIAA-affiliated conferences

Alignments are listed for WCIAA membership dates only; see links for full conference histories.

### Central Wisconsin Catholic Conference

| School | Location | Tenure |
| Assumption High School | Wisconsin Rapids | 1957-1968 |
| Campion Jesuit High School | Prairie du Chien | 1957-1968 |
| Columbus Catholic High School | Marshfield | 1957-1968 |
| Newman Catholic High School | Wausau | 1957-1968 |
| Pacelli High School | Stevens Point | 1957-1968 |
| McDonell Central Catholic High School | Chippewa Falls | 1961-1968 |
| Regis High School | Eau Claire | 1963-1968 |
| Aquinas High School | La Crosse | 1964-1968 |

### Fox Valley Catholic Conference

| School | Location | Tenure |
| Abbot Pennings High School | De Pere | 1957-1968 |
| Marinette Central Catholic High School | Marinette | 1957-1968 |
| Our Lady of Premontre High School | Green Bay | 1957-1968 |
| St. John High School | Little Chute | 1957-1968 |
| St. Mary Catholic High School | Neenah | 1957-1968 |
| St. Mary's Springs Academy | Fond du Lac | 1957-1968 |
| Lourdes Academy | Oshkosh | 1961-1968 |
| Xavier High School | Appleton | 1961-1968 |

### Milwaukee Catholic Conference

| School | Location | Tenure |
| Catholic Memorial High School | Waukesha | 1957-1968 |
| Don Bosco High School | Milwaukee | 1957-1968 |
| Marquette University High School | Milwaukee | 1957-1968 |
| Messmer High School | Milwaukee | 1957-1968 |
| Notre Dame High School | Milwaukee | 1957-1968 |
| Pius XI High School | Milwaukee | 1957-1968 |
| St. Bonaventure High School | Sturtevant | 1957-1968 |
| St. Catherine's High School | Racine | 1957-1968 |
| St. John's Cathedral High School | Milwaukee | 1957-1968 |
| Dominican High School | Whitefish Bay | 1958-1968 |
| St. Joseph High School | Kenosha | 1958-1968 |
| St. Benedict the Moor High School | Milwaukee | 1959-1964 |
| Francis Jordan High School | Milwaukee | 1961-1968 |

### WCIAA members in non-WCIAA conferences

| School | Location | Tenure | Conference |
| Beloit Catholic High School | Beloit | 1957-1961 | SWAPS Conference |
| St. Mary's High School | Burlington | 1957-1961 | SWAPS Conference |
| McDonell Central Catholic High School | Chippewa Falls | 1960-1961 | Bi-State Conference |
| Sacred Heart High School | Lima | 1960-1966 | Bi-State Conference |
| St. Mary's High School | Burlington | 1961-1963 | Southeastern Wisconsin Conference |
| Madonna High School | Mauston | 1962-1966 | Central-C Conference |
| St. Mary's High School | Burlington | 1963-1968 | Southeastern Badger Conference |
| Beloit Catholic High School | Beloit | 1964-1968 | SHARK Conference (IHSA) |
| Cathedral High School | Superior | 1965-1968 | Michigan-Wisconsin Conference |
| de Sales Preparatory Academy | St. Francis | 1965-1968 | Wisconsin Seminary League |
| Holy Name Seminary | Madison | 1966-1968 | Wisconsin Seminary League |
| Sacred Heart Seminary | Oneida | 1966-1968 | Wisconsin Seminary League |
| Salvatorian Seminary | St. Nazianz | 1966-1968 | Wisconsin Seminary League |
| St. Lawrence Seminary | Mount Calvary | 1966-1968 | Wisconsin Seminary League |

## List of state champions

Baseball :
| Year | Champion |
| 1957 | Notre Dame |
| 1958 | Edgewood |
| 1959 | Marquette University |
| 1960 | Edgewood |
| 1961 | Edgewood |
| 1962 | Marquette University |
| 1963 | Pius XI |
| 1964 | Pius XI |
| 1965 | St. Joseph |
| 1966 | Edgewood |
| 1967 | Edgewood |
| 1968 | St. Catherine's |
Basketball :
| Year | Champion |
| 1957 | St. Norbert |
| 1958 | St. Catherine's |
| 1959 | St. Catherine's |
| 1960 | St. Mary Catholic |
| 1961 | St. Catherine's |
| 1962 | Edgewood |
| 1963 | Xavier |
| 1964 | Marinette Central Catholic |
| 1965 | Marquette University |
| 1966 | Messmer |
| 1967 | Marquette University |
| 1968 | Messmer |
Cross Country :
| Year | Champion |
| 1967 | Pius XI |
Golf :
| Year | Champion |
| 1957 | Aquinas |
| 1958 | Marquette University |
| 1959 | St. Mary's Springs |
| 1960 | St. Catherine's |
| 1961 | St. Catherine's |
| 1962 | Don Bosco |
| 1963 | Marquette University |
| 1964 | Marquette University |
| 1965 | Marquette University |
| 1966 | Marquette University |
| 1967 | St. Joseph |
| 1968 | Pius XI |
Tennis :
| Year | Champion |
| 1960 | Catholic Memorial |
| 1961 | Catholic Memorial |
| 1962 | Catholic Memorial |
| 1963 | Catholic Memorial, Xavier (tie) |
| 1964 | Catholic Memorial |
| 1965 | Marquette University |
| 1966 | Marquette University |
| 1967 | Beloit Catholic, Marquette University (tie) |
| 1968 | Edgewood |
Track & Field :
| Year | Champion | |
| 1957 | Marquette University | |
| 1958 | Marquette University | |
| 1959 | Pius XI | |
| 1960 | Pius XI | |
| 1961 | Pius XI | |
| 1962 | Marquette University | |
| 1963 | Marquette University | |
| 1964 | Aquinas | |
| Year | Class A | Class B |
| 1965 | Marquette University | Assumption |
| 1966 | Messmer | Columbus Catholic |
| 1967 | Pius XI | Assumption |
| 1968 | Messmer | Assumption |
Wrestling :
| Year | Champion |
| 1957 | St. Catherine's |
| 1958 | Don Bosco |
| 1959 | Catholic Memorial |
| 1960 | Catholic Memorial |
| 1961 | St. Joseph |
| 1962 | St. Joseph |
| 1963 | St. Joseph |
| 1964 | St. Joseph |
| 1965 | St. Joseph |
| 1966 | St. Joseph |
| 1967 | Aquinas |
| 1968 | Aquinas |