That all changed in 1970-71 when swimming, gymnastics and track became the first sports to receive a WIAA tournament program. Tennis was added a year later and golf two years later, then in 1973-74 volleyball became the first team sport. Basketball, cross country and softball followed in 1975-76. Soccer was added in 1982-83. A major development in WIAA tournament competition was the addition of classes, later called divisions to nearly all post-season competition.
Football has a six division playoff format.
Separate team tournaments for wrestling and tennis were instituted in 1992 and 1994. Junior high school athletics is also a WIAA responsibility for about half of the nearly 400 school districts in the state which affiliate their programs. A significant new dimension was given to the WIAA in the 1980's with the concept of cooperative teams where one or more individual schools join their programs together in one or more sports where participation doesn't allow a satisfactory program at a single school. The 16,000 sq. Contact Mr. Chickering on all matters of WIAA policy, legal issues, conference realignment and governmental matters.