From the WIAA —
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association and PMI Entertainment Group agreed to a contract extension that grants the WIAA availability of the Resch Center for hosting high school State championships in girls volleyball, boys volleyball and girls basketball through March of 2030 in an announcement made at a media conference today.
The Resch Center, opened in 2002, has been the host venue for the WIAA State Girls Volleyball Tournament since 2002 and the State Girls Basketball Tournament since 2013. In January of 2018, the Board of Control approved the move of the Boys Volleyball State Tournament to the Resch Center to coincide with the State Girls Volleyball Tournament in Green Bay beginning in 2019.
“It’s an exciting day as we not only kick-off a new contract, but also the start of the WIAA State Volleyball Tournament,” Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “We truly feel the red carpet treatment when we come to Green Bay. It’s a great experience for everyone who attends, and the staff here at the Resch Center, Discover Green Bay and the surrounding businesses with the 'Rush to the Resch' all make these events special.”
Attendance has increased significantly at the State Girls Volleyball Tournament since the move to the Resch Center, setting a record for attendance with more than 25,500 spectators in 2024. The Girls State Basketball Tournament has averaged 36,500 spectators since moving to Green Bay.
The WIAA Tournaments have received community support to enhance attendance with the Rush to the Resch initiative. One school qualifying for the State Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournaments receives $1000 from the Green Bay Brown County Professional Football Stadium District by selling the most pre-sale tickets for the quarterfinals (girls’ Division 1 and boys) or semifinals (Divisions 2, 3, 4 and 5) in their respective divisions. In girls’ basketball, $2000 is awarded to the school in each of the five divisions with the most pre-sale tickets.
The State Girls Basketball Tournament infuses approximately $2.2 million to the Green Bay community, and the State Girls Volleyball Tournament has nearly a $1 million economic impact on the area.
“On behalf of Discover Green Bay, we are honored to host these events,” said Nick Meisner, Vice-President of Digital Marketing and Communications with Discover Green Bay. “It’s something our businesses and community really take pride in, and these events have a massive impact; so this extension is a really big deal for our community.”
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a private, voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 516 senior high schools and 30 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.