The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control reviewed a number of topics relating to Association matters and supported advancing a five-division basketball proposal at its December meeting today.

The Board unanimously approved development of a five-division Tournament Series model that features four teams from each division qualifying for the State Basketball Tournament, and to establish an ad-hoc committee to review and recommend how schools are assigned within the five divisions. Once a plan is devised, it will proceed through the committee process next spring.

Considerable discussion continued on the district football proposal with a review of the feedback received from member schools. The proposal will be advanced through the committee structure beginning with the Football Coaches Advisory Committee on Dec. 8 and proceeding to the Board agenda for final determination at the Board’s Jan. 27 meeting.

 In a related matter, the Board was adamant that, regardless of whether the football district proposal passes or fails, the Association will modify the traditional football season and playoffs to avoid a schedule of three games over a 10-day period at the end of the regular season through Level 2 of the playoffs. In addition, modifications to provide much-needed scheduling relief for those schools in need will also be addressed.

 The WIAA oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 507 senior high schools and 98 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It will sponsor 25 championship tournament series in 2009-10. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.