STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control approved limited use of the shot clock in basketball in 2026-27 and acted on other recommendations from the Winter Coaches Advisory Committees affecting season regulations and membership policies at its June meeting today.
Starting next season, schools will be permitted to use a 35-second shot clock for nonconference varsity boys and girls basketball games if there is mutual agreement between the teams, as permitted by NFHS rule adaptations. The Board also discussed full implementation of the clock in 2028-29, which would require approval by the membership at the Annual Meeting next April.
The Board approved basketball Tournament Procedures in the Season Regulations to adjust the enrollment cutlines for divisional placement in the five divisions, beginning with the 2027-28 season. In addition, the higher-seeded team will wear white jerseys and be designated the home team in all State Tournament games beginning next season.
Other changes to the Tournament Procedures eliminated two regulations. The first removes language limiting a player to only two halves when a one-half junior varsity game is followed by a two-half varsity game. The second removes a provision that prevents teams participating in the State Tournament from moving down to a smaller-school division the following year, even if their enrollment would have placed them in the smaller-school division.
The Board approved four recommendations impacting the wrestling Tournament Procedures in the Season Regulations. Dates for the girls regionals and sectionals will be moved ahead one week to Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, respectively, in 2027.
The details for the Girls Wrestling Team Tournament, beginning in 2026-27, were adopted. Sixty-four teams will compete in the Tournament Series with the top-two scoring teams from the individual regional tournament advancing to the sectional team tournament. The teams will be seeded at sectionals by applying the Team Tournament seeding formula to their individual regional lineup. Teams advance from the team sectional to the State Team Tournament to coincide with the Boys Team Tournament Friday and Saturday, March 5-6 at the La Crosse Center.
In addition, the sectional pairings of the Girls Wrestling Individual Tournament will be determined by using an annual regional rotation that will pair regional champions versus regional runners-up in all weight classes, which prevents student-athletes from the same two regionals from meeting in every sectional semifinal.
The third wrestling recommendation approved by the Board standardizes the seeding process for both the boys and girls individual and team Tournament Series. The new language also clarifies how previous season’s State Tournament results are applied for seeding the individual tournament. The fourth recommendation clarifies how the current season’s State Individual Tournament results are applied for seeding the boys and girls team tournaments and how the wild cards for the boys State Team Tournament are determined using the State Tournament management program.
Two hockey Tournament Procedures rule changes were approved by the Board. The first alters the overtime
process. If a game remains tied following an eight-minute, five-on-five sudden victory overtime period, the ice will be resurfaced followed by a 17-minute, five-on-five sudden victory overtime. If a winner is not determined, the ice will be resurfaced and a five-minute, four-on-four sudden victory period will be played with goalies switching ends. The second change will implement a four-official system for all sectional and State Tournament games.
The Board approved a new timeline for the conference realignment process. Beginning with the 2027-28 conference realignment cycle, non-football realignment will be conducted every four years. The football-only conference realignment cycle will remain on its current two-year schedule. In addition, the Board approved three fast-track conference realignment requests , effective in 2026-27. Rhinelander will transition from independent status in girls golf into the Wisconsin Valley Conference. Portage will move from independent status to the Badger Conference in girls golf, girls swimming & diving, and boys tennis. Lastly, Racine St. Catherine’s will enter the Southeast Conference in girls golf after competing as an independent.
Other agenda action items approved by the Board included a resolution to continue spending until the 2026-27 budget is approved; winter season sports financial statements; the 2026 Annual Meeting minutes; the 2026-27 calendar dates and the general fund financial statements and payments for May.
Other meeting discussion and report topics included the recently completed spring sports tournaments; continued work of the Calendar & Contact Ad Hoc Committee; June Jam and Summer Slam events; activities of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team; ongoing efforts to recruit and retain licensed officials, discussions of the Classification Committee; potential changes to the conference realignment process; an update on the progress of the WIAA Foundation; and a reminder of the New Athletic Directors’ Workshop on July 20.
Luke Francois and Todd Fergot, representing the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association, presented a proposal to the Board in support of expanding the State Boys and Girls Basketball Tournaments. The Board also received liaison reports by Dan Rossmiller of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and Kyle LeMieux of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a private voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 514 senior high schools and 36 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.
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