Central Wisconsin Catholic Conference
{{Short description|Former Wisconsin high school athletic conference}}
The Central Wisconsin Catholic Conference is a former high school athletic conference in Wisconsin, active from 1956 to 2000. Consisting entirely of Catholic high schools within the La Crosse diocese, the conference was affiliated with both the Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association and its successor, the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association.
History
{{OSM Location map
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| mark-title1=Aquinas
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| mark-title2=Assumption
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| mark-title3=Campion Jesuit
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| mark-title4=Columbus Catholic
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| mark-title5=McDonell Central Catholic
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| mark-title6=Newman Catholic
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| mark-title7=Pacelli
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| mark-title8=Regis
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| caption = Location of Central Wisconsin Catholic Conference Members (1964-1975)
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The Central Wisconsin Catholic Conference was formed by six parochial high schools in central Wisconsin in 1956. Original members were Assumption in Wisconsin Rapids, Campion Jesuit in Prairie du Chien, Columbus Catholic in Marshfield, McDonell Central Catholic in Chippewa Falls, Newman Catholic in Wausau and Pacelli in Stevens Point.{{Cite news |date=1 March 1956 |title=Campion in, Maryhart, Madonna Out of Central State Catholic Loop |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/267714801/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20catholic%20conference%22%20campion |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Marshfield News-Herald |pages=17}} Two other high schools were also part of the initial group (Aquinas in La Crosse and Regis in Eau Claire), but originally were not slated to join until 1957 because of previous athletic commitments.{{Cite news |last=Otte |first=Matt |date=9 February 1956 |title=Sportsonata (see Regis "Surprised") |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/250673662/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20catholic%20conference%22%20aquinas%20regis |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Stevens Point Journal |pages=7}} Madonna in Mauston and Maryheart in Pittsville were also invited to join the conference but declined due to smaller enrollment compared to the other eight schools.{{Cite news |date=1 March 1958 |title=Pacelli in Cage Loop in 56-57 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/250676286/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20catholic%20conference%22%20campion |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Stevens Point Journal |pages=6}}
In 1957, McDonell Central Catholic left the conference to compete as an independent,{{Cite news |date=13 December 1956 |title=No Tarnish in Pacelli's Defeat |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/250812135/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20catholic%20conference%22%20standings |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Stevens Point Journal |pages=6}}{{Cite news |date=19 December 1957 |title=Columbus Rallies to Defeat Stevens Point Pacelli 57-55 (see Standings) |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/267888042/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20catholic%20conference%22%20standings |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Marshfield News-Herald |pages=14}} then returned as a full member four years later.{{Cite news |date=27 November 1961 |title=Macks Drop Opener 51-41 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/417683075/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20catholic%20conference%22%20standings |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Chippewa Herald-Telegram |pages=7}} Regis wouldn't officially join in CWCC competition until 1963,{{Cite news |date=30 November 1963 |title=Ramblers Host Pacelli in Loop Opener Tonight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/345824377/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20catholic%20conference%22%20regis |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Eau Claire Daily Telegram |pages=12}} and Aquinas followed suit in 1964, bringing the conference to eight member schools.{{Cite news |date=1 December 1964 |title=Marshfield News-Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/267812425/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20catholic%20conference%22%20aquinas |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Marshfield News-Herald |pages=15}} Campion would close in 1975,{{Cite news |last=Mial |first=Richard |date=10 April 1975 |title=PdC Officials Hopeful; Campion Fate Uncertain |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/86894981/?match=1&terms=campion%20high%20school%20closing |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=La Crosse Tribune |pages=25}} leaving the Central Wisconsin Catholic Conference with seven members. It would stay this way for nearly a quarter century until Aquinas was invited to join the Mississippi Valley Conference in 1996 with conference play starting the next year.{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Jeff |date=14 February 1996 |title=MVC principals agree: Aquinas in |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/513790703/?match=1&terms=%22mississippi%20valley%20conference%22%20aquinas |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=La Crosse Tribune |pages=15}} In 1997, WISAA agreed to a merger with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association to group public and private high schools under one organizational umbrella for interscholastic competition, finalizing in 2000.{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Eric |date=24 April 1997 |title=WIAA easily approves merger with WISAA |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/343056018/?match=1&terms=wiaa%20wisaa%20merger |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Racine Journal Times |pages=27}} The Central Wisconsin Catholic Conference was folded along with WISAA that year, with its members going to the Central Wisconsin Conference (Pacelli),{{Cite news |date=22 April 1999 |title=Pacelli on track to move to Central Wisconsin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/290740398/?match=1&terms=%22central%20wisconsin%20conference%22%20pacelli%20realignment |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Appleton Post-Crescent |pages=D-12}} Cloverbelt Conference (McDonell Central Catholic and Regis){{Cite news |date=19 February 2000 |title=Ramblers overcome McDonell in final CWCC battle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/417682745/?match=1&terms=mcdonell%20regis%20%22cloverbelt%20conference%22 |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Chippewa Herald-Telegram |pages=13}} and Marawood Conference (Assumption, Columbus Catholic and Newman Catholic).{{Cite news |last=Kohn |first=Dan |date=8 April 1999 |title=New home for Dons: They'll join Marawood Conference |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/267971072/?match=1&terms=%22marawood%20conference%22%20assumption%20columbus%20newman |access-date=19 February 2025 |work=Marshfield News-Herald |pages=1}}
Conference membership history
class="wikitable sortable"
!School !Location !Affiliation ![https://www.wissports.net/news_article/show/1292447 Enrollment] !Mascot !Colors !Joined !Left !Conference Joined !Current Conference |
Assumption
|Private (Catholic) |139 |Royals |{{color box|0032a0}} {{color box|white}} | colspan="2" |Marawood |
Campion Jesuit
|N/A |Red Knights |{{color box|d50032}} {{color box|black}} | colspan="2" |Closed |
Columbus Catholic
|Private (Catholic) |146 |Dons |{{color box|002d6c}} {{color box|white}} |
McDonell Central Catholic
|Private (Catholic) |206 |Macks |{{color box|005eb8}} {{color box|ffc72c}} | colspan="2" |Cloverbelt |
Newman Catholic
|Private (Catholic) |128 |Cardinals |{{color box|69b3e7}} {{color box|d50032}} | colspan="2" |Marawood |
Pacelli
|Private (Catholic) |169 |Cardinals |{{color box|ba0c2f}} {{color box|002d6c}} | colspan="2" |Central Wisconsin |
Regis
|Private (Catholic) |210 |Ramblers |{{color box|115740}} {{color box|ffc72c}} | colspan="2" |Cloverbelt |
Aquinas
|Private (Catholic) |307 |Blugolds |{{color box|b3a369}} {{color box|002d6c}} | colspan="2" |Mississippi Valley |
Membership timeline
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:1956 till:2000
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:30 left:0 bottom:50 top:5
Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7)
id:line value:black
id:bg value:white
PlotData=
width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:m
bar:1 color:tan1 from:1956 till:2000 text:Assumption (1956-2000)
bar:2 color:tan1 from:1956 till:1975 text:Campion Jesuit (1956-1975)
bar:3 color:tan1 from:1956 till:2000 text:Columbus Catholic (1956-2000)
bar:4 color:tan1 from:1956 till:1957 text:McDonell Central Catholic (1956-1957, 1961-2000)
bar:4 color:tan1 from:1961 till:2000 text:
bar:5 color:tan1 from:1956 till:2000 text:Newman Catholic (1956-2000)
bar:6 color:tan1 from:1956 till:2000 text:Pacelli (1956-2000)
bar:7 color:tan1 from:1963 till:2000 text:Regis (1963-2000)
bar:8 color:tan1 from:1964 till:1997 text:Aquinas (1964-1997)
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1956
List of state champions
= Fall sports =
class="wikitable"
|+Boys Cross Country !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Assumption
|WISAA |Class B |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Class C |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class A |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class A |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Regis
|WISAA |Class C |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Class C |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class C |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
class="wikitable"
|+Girls Cross Country !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class A |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class A |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Division 1 |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
class="wikitable"
|+Football !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Assumption
|WISAA | |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Class A |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class A |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 3 |
class="wikitable"
|+Golf !School !Year !Organization |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
class="wikitable"
|+Volleyball !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 2 |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
= Winter sports =
class="wikitable"
|+Boys Basketball !School !Year !Organization !Division |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
class="wikitable"
|+Girls Basketball !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class A |
Regis
|WISAA |Class B |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Assumption
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Assumption
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 3 |
class="wikitable"
|+Wrestling !School !Year !Organization |
Aquinas
|WCIAA |
Aquinas
|WCIAA |
Pacelli
|WISAA |
Pacelli
|WISAA |
Pacelli
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Pacelli
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
= Spring sports =
class="wikitable"
|+Baseball !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Pacelli
|WISAA | |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA | |
Aquinas
|WISAA | |
Aquinas
|WISAA | |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class A |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class A |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA | |
class="wikitable"
|+Golf !School !Year !Organization |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
Campion Jesuit
|WISAA |
Aquinas
|WISAA |
class="wikitable"
|+Softball !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Division 2 |
class="wikitable"
|+Boys Tennis !School !Year !Organization |
Campion Jesuit
|WISAA |
class="wikitable"
|+Boys Track & Field !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Assumption
|WCIAA |Class B |
Columbus Catholic
|WCIAA |Class B |
Assumption
|WCIAA |Class B |
Assumption
|WCIAA |Class B |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class B |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class B |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Class C |
Regis
|WISAA |Class B |
Regis
|WISAA |Class B |
Columbus Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
class="wikitable"
|+Girls Track & Field !School !Year !Organization !Division |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA | |
Aquinas
|WISAA | |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class A |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class A |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Class B |
Assumption
|WISAA |Class B |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Pacelli
|WISAA |Class B |
Regis
|WISAA |Class B |
Regis
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Newman Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
Aquinas
|WISAA |Division 1 |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
McDonell Central Catholic
|WISAA |Division 2 |
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Wisconsin high school athletic conferences}}
Category:Wisconsin high school sports conferences
Category:Sports organizations established in 1956