From the WIAA —
Brian Nadeau, superintendent at Ellsworth, presided over the first meeting of the 2026-27 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Board of Control today.
The Board of Control conducted its officer elections for 2026-27. Kurt Cohen, district administrator at Potosi, was elected president-elect. Bryan Davis, superintendent of the Oshkosh Area School District, was elected treasurer. In addition, Katrice Cotton, superintendent at Brown Deer, and Tarrynce Robinson, superintendent of the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, were introduced as new members.
The Board voted to impose a one-year moratorium on the licensed officials’ rating system after recent data from the WIAA Officials Center indicated that the current post-contest rating system has significant participation deficiencies. The pause in the rating system will allow WIAA leadership and advisory committees to review and potentially modify the process. An interim system will be established for member schools to submit specific inquiries and feedback as needed.
Another action item approved by the Board grants a conference realignment fast track for girls wrestling. Schools in the Wisconsin Valley and Great Northern Conferences will combine to form the Northern Girls Wrestling Conference beginning in 2026-27. The new league members are Antigo, D.C. Everest, Lakeland, Marshfield, Medford, Merrill, Mosinee, Rhinelander, Stevens Point Area Senior High, Tomahawk, Wausau East, Wausau West and Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln.
Other action items approved by the Board include development of the 2026-27 operational budget; committee and employee handbooks; various membership guides, including the 2026-27 Media, Medical and Sports Officials Policies Reference Guides; annual renewal of the WIAA’s membership and voting delegate appointment with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS); and general monthly financial reports.
The executive staff presented the Board with a summary of WIAA Foundation activities, the recent launch of the redesigned WIAA website, and ongoing efforts to recruit and retain officials. The Board also received a recap of the New Athletic Director Workshop, an update on the Calendar & Contact Committee’s efforts, and a report on a survey of the Classification Committee’s work. Additional discussions included planning for fall Area Meetings and distributing annual correspondence to state legislators and school administrators.
Senior Paige Murphy of Lakeside Lutheran High School, the 2026-27 president of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team, presented a report to the Board of Control on the team’s activities and goals. In addition, Kraus-Anderson presented a report on a facility condition assessment conducted for the WIAA executive office building.
The Board was informed of the executive staff’s extensive representation at the national level through service on NFHS boards and committees. Executive Director Stephanie Hauser is a member of the Board of Directors, serves as president-elect, and is also a member of the Education Committee. Associate Director Mel Dow is a member of the Summer Meeting Planning Committee; Assistant Director Jake Beschta is a member of the Football Rules Committee; Assistant Director Melissa Gehring serves on the Track & Field and Cross Country Rules Committee; LeVar Ridgeway will begin a term on the Soccer Rules Committee; and Technology Coordinator Mark Gutknecht is a member of the Technology Committee.
The Board was also informed that the national anthem will be played before each game within a session for consistency across all State Tournaments. Exceptions may be made when time constraints affect the tournament schedule.
Paul Manriquez of the Department of Public Instruction, Dan Rossmiller of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and Tara Rose of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association presented liaison reports to the Board.
Driven by its vision of inspiring champions for life, the WIAA is a private, voluntary and unincorporated nonprofit organization as defined by its Constitution. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 514 senior high schools and 26 junior high/middle-level schools. The WIAA sponsors 30 State championship events for boys and girls. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.
