Wisconsin Valley Conference

The Wisconsin Valley Conference is a high school athletic conference composed of the largest public schools in north central Wisconsin centered on the Wausau, Wisconsin metro area. The Wisconsin Valley is one of Wisconsin's oldest athletic conferences. The conference competes in a wide variety of high school sports for girls and boys. In 2008, charter members of 87 years Antigo and Merrill moved to the Great Northern Conference. This was the first change of the Wisconsin Valley Conference since 1980 when member Shawano moved to the Bay Conference.

Member schools

Current members of the Wisconsin Valley are:
* D.C. Everest Evergreens, Schofield
* Marshfield Tigers, Marshfield
* Rhinelander Hodags, Rhinelander
* Stevens Point Panthers, Stevens Point
* Wausau East Lumberjacks, Wausau
* Wausau West Warriors, Wausau
* Wisconsin Rapids Red Raiders, Wisconsin Rapids

Former member schools:
* Antigo Red Robins (Left 2008), Antigo
* Merrill Blue Jays (Left 2008), Merrill
* Shawano Hawks (Left 1980), Shawano
* Medford Raiders (Left 1920s/30s), Medford
* Nekoosa Papermakers (Left 1920s/30s), Nekoosa
* Tomahawk Hatchets (Left 1920s/1930s), Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Valley Football and Wrestling

Although the Wisconsin Valley is a large school division 1 conference, they are largely recognized on the basis of their football success rather than basketball, baseball or volleyball.

Since the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association began the state football playoffs 29 years ago in 1976, The Wisconsin Valley has managed to have a team in the state championship 17 times, and a victory in the championship 11 times (including 5 title wins by the D.C. Everest Evergreens), more than any other large school conference.

Most notably is that the Wisconsin Valley Conference teams have dominated the Division 1 state wrestling championships since back in the 1970s when the state championships were stated since then the Wisconsin Valley Conference has collected a total of 19 championships. Even though all teams in the conference are tough two are the most notable. Wisconsin Rapids Red Raiders team have brought in 16 of these, and the Merrill Bluejays have brought in 3. These two teams have close matches every year, even as far as in the 2005-2006 state championship these two faced each other in the finals.

It should also be noted that Wausau (East) High School left the Wisconsin Valley and competed in the Big Rivers Conference for a few years in the 1960s.

External links

* [http://www.edgar.k12.wi.us/edgar/Valley/wvalley.htm Wisconsin Valley Conference History]
* [http://www.wvcstats.org/ Wisconsin Valley Conference Stats]