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WIAA Board Approves Basketball Shot Clock, Two Divisions in Boys Hockey Published on 06/23/2017 under Sports

STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control reviewed and approved a number of committee recommendations impacting winter sports, gave initial review and consideration of a newly conceived divisional placement plan for basketball, and engaged in robust membership-related discussions at its June meeting today.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Board voted to implement the use of a 35-second shot clock in basketball for varsity games only to begin with the 2019-20 season.

In other basketball-related action, coaches qualifying for the Sate Tournament will determine the seeds for the four qualifying teams in each of the five divisions with a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association representative breaking any ties that may occur beginning in 2017-18.

Three other basketball recommendations received approval from the Board. If schools choose to play only one half of a junior varsity game and a full varsity game, players will be allowed to play in only two halves. Also approved was extending the coaching box to 28 feet from 14 feet for all levels. In addition, the number of players per team allowed to dress during the Tournament Series will increase to 18 while maintaining the maximum party limit of 22.

The Board also voted to convene the basketball coaches advisory committee following the 2017 Area Meetings to discuss the merits of a newly created basketball tournament placement model. Details of the plan will be shared and discussed at the Area Meetings and at each level of the committee process to be presented to the Board at its Jan. 31, 2018 meeting. General details of the plan is provided below.

The Board supported an amended recommendation for a two-year experiment on sponsoring two divisions in boys hockey beginning with the 2020 State Tournament. The tournament format will feature four teams in Division 1 and four in Division 2 with the smallest 32 programs by enrollment assigned to Division 2.

Another action item in hockey was the approval of the procedure for seeding the State Tournament. The WIAA will conduct a conference call with coaches of qualifying teams to determine the top four seeds, and the remaining four teams will be randomly drawn as opponents of the seeded teams in the brackets. The guidelines for seeding will replicate those for the regional and sectional levels.

Beginning next season, the State Tournament in team wrestling will also be seeded by coaches of qualifying teams. The process will replicate the procedure approved in boys hockey. Another wrestling recommendation approved for 2017-18 increases the total number of medals awarded to 28 at the State Team Tournament, which equals the number of eligible athletes. In other wrestling-related discussions, the Board was informed of a change in the Feb. 1, one-pound growth allowance to take effect on the date of the first regional competition.

The lone gymnastics coaches' recommendation received approval. It requires the final average score of a routine to be posted during meets throughout the season.

The Board also ratified spring cooperative programs for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, general fund financial statements and payments and a spending resolution during development of the 2017-18 operational budget.

Among the additional discussions were a review of the 2017 spring State Tournaments, updates on Assembly Bill 260/Senate Bill 232, the 2017 New Athletic Director Workshop, possible 2017 Area Meeting topics, and potential Constitution items for the 2018 Annual Meeting.

The Board also received liaison reports from John Ashley of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and Peggy Seegers-Braun of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.

The WIAA oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 511 senior high schools and 41 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It sponsors 27 championship tournament series. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.

In Other News

Recent 3-Year Report Highlights Success of Lincoln County/Discover Wisconsin Partnership

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A marketing strategy to put Lincoln County on the map is paying off in viewers, visitors, and tourism dollars. Over the past three years, the Lincoln County has partnered with Discover Mediaworks to showcase its local gems through television episodes, social media features, and short-form video content. Josh Osterman, Director of Content Strategy and Partnerships at Discover Mediaworks, recently presented a glowing report on the initiative to the Lincoln County Board. Osterman highlighted how taking a "30,000-foot view" of the area has helped draw attention to lesser-known locations alongside long-standing staples, from off-road riding in the Harrison Hills and guided fishing excursions to local dining spots and scenic drives along Highway 107. Broadcast viewership across full episodes, themed specials, and promotional spots on the Discover Wisconsin network surpassed 10 million viewers. Meanwhile, short-form social clips pulled in another 2.5 million views. County leaders earned praise for keeping the area top-of-mind for Upper Midwest travelers, with out-of-state interest surging in major metro markets like Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and the Twin Cities.Broadcast Viewership: 10,180,174Digital Impressions: 2,106,958Digital Views: 959,521Digital Engagements: 20,100Digital Reach: 2,180,275Podcast Listens: 16,936Podcast Views: 2,514,170Emails Contacted: 330,771Emmy: 1The ultimate goal was to boost the local economy, and state data shows it worked. Figures from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism show Lincoln County's total economic impact grew 11.6% over the three-year stretch, while direct visitor spending rose more than 12.5%, outpacing several neighboring counties and state tourism hubs. The report also teased upcoming feature topics like local hiking trails, waterfront dining, and adventures along the Wisconsin River.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News Vehicle-versus-deer crashes are on the rise across Lincoln County, but over the weekend, a driver's attempt to avoid an animal led to a rollover wreck that left two people injured. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, emergency responders were paged to Highway 8 near Martin Road in the Town of Somo for a single-vehicle crash. The driver, an Olivia, Minnesota man, reported he was traveling eastbound when a deer ran onto the highway. He swerved to avoid hitting the animal, causing his vehicle to enter the south ditch and become airborne before coming to rest. Both the driver and a passenger suffered minor injuries. Deputies reported 12 vehicle-versus-deer collisions on Lincoln County roadways last week, marking a noticeable uptick from recent weeks.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A Merrill man thrown from his vehicle in a rollover spent the night in the ditch before the crash was discovered. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Report, deputies were sent to the area of County G and Alder Road in the Town of Pine River back on September 7 for a rollover crash involving injuries. The driver stated he had been in the ditch since the night before. He told deputies he was heading to his home when he missed a curve and crashed. The man was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and received injuries as a result. No update on his condition was provided.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News The Wisconsin State Patrol and local partners are reminding parents and caregivers to protect their most precious passengers by reviewing their child car seats. The agency named child passenger safety its September Law of the Month, focusing on proper seat selection and installation. According to federal traffic data, approximately half of all car seats are installed incorrectly. State law sets specific minimums based on age and size—starting with newborns in rear-facing car seats, transitioning to forward-facing harnessed seats, and eventually moving to booster seats until a child reaches age eight, eighty pounds, or four feet nine inches in height. State Patrol officials say keeping children in the appropriate seat significantly reduces the risk of injury in a crash. Superintendent Tim Carnahan emphasized that proper installation is a simple way to protect young passengers, adding that adults should set a good example by making it a habit to buckle up themselves on every trip, no matter the distance. Additional safety guidelines and certified inspection locations can be found online at wisconsindot.gov.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News A high school junior from Delavan-Darien High School has taken top honors in the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 2027 State Park and Forest admission pass design contest, while a Northwoods student finished among the top entries. Junior Kiet Tuan Tran won first place out of more than 120 statewide submissions. Tran's winning design captures a rustic camping scene, complete with a tent sporting a fitting cheese-pattern print set beneath a tree canopy shaped like the outline of Wisconsin. Local student Skylarr Martin of Rhinelander High School also earned recognition, receiving an Honorable Mention for their artwork. Now in its 36th year, the DNR-sponsored contest invites high school students from across the state to showcase their artistic talents. "The contest is a great way to get students thinking about our public lands and the different ways they can support the state's natural resources," said Chris Pedretti, DNR Business Operations Section Supervisor. The new vehicle admission passes featuring the winning design will be available for purchase ahead of the 2027 state park season. Contest materials for the 2028 pass design contest are available now, with submissions accepted through April 30, 2027.

Published on 09/29/2026 under News Two Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps programs are set to receive new grant funding to continue their community outreach missions across the state. Serve Wisconsin recently announced the distribution of $9.2 million in federal AmeriCorps grants to support 17 programs statewide. Through these initiatives, AmeriCorps members will assist with a wide range of local efforts, from conservation projects to after-school youth programming. Marshfield Clinic Health System secured funding for two specific programs. The first grant supports the "Community Corps" program, placing 50 members in non-profits and public health organizations across the region to expand capacity and address community health needs. The second grant funds the "Recovery Corps" program, training 20 members as recovery coaches to assist individuals battling opioid and substance use disorders while delivering community education. "Our AmeriCorps members serving this year are building upon the service legacy of those who have served before them," said Kyle Clower, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin. In addition to funding the 17 statewide programs, Serve Wisconsin received $354,374 through the federal Volunteer Generation Fund to further support local volunteer initiatives across Wisconsin.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News We are still three months away from Christmas, but a Lincoln County group is already preparing its annual holiday gift distribution for families in need. Christmas Spirit Lincoln County works with local partners each holiday season to ensure a Merry Christmas for children across Tomahawk, Merrill, and surrounding areas. The non-profit's mission is to fulfill gift requests for parents and guardians who are struggling financially and may otherwise be unable to provide presents for their kids. Volunteer Chris Copiskey says the group helped more than 150 families and nearly 400 children last year. In addition to traditional toys and gifts, they also focus on providing essential items like winter coats, hygiene products, and bedding. Calling the effort "a heartwarming and humbling process," Copiskey noted that community generosity is always unbelievable. The first phase of the mission is already underway: collecting applications and wish lists. Although the deadline is October 31st, participating parents are encouraged to submit their paperwork as soon as possible. Applications are available at WJJQ in Tomahawk, as well as the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce and the Merrill Fire Department. Once requests are gathered, individual gift tags will be placed on community Giving Trees, allowing local residents to pick a tag and purchase items. In early December, volunteers will organize and distribute the gifts—an experience organizers call one of the most rewarding parts of the project.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding across health care, but local experts say human judgment must remain at the center of patient care. Erica Neilitz, simulation coordinator at Nicolet College, recently brought that message to the state capitol. Neilitz testified before the legislative Study Committee on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, presenting alongside representatives from the UW-Madison School of Medicine and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Drawing on 26 years of nursing experience, Neilitz offered legislators insight into how AI is shaping both nursing education and the workforce. At Nicolet College, Neilitz uses hands-on simulations to prepare students for real-world medical settings, honing their decision-making and critical thinking. While AI offers promising new capabilities for health care, she emphasized to lawmakers that technology can never replace core nursing values. "There is significant value in artificial intelligence in health care, but it has to remain a tool that humans use responsibly," Neilitz stated. "As AI becomes more integrated into practice, we need to make sure nurses are prepared to use it without losing the clinical judgment, critical thinking, and caring that are foundational to nursing." Lawmakers on the study committee focused their questions on responsible student AI use, AI literacy, and recommendations for future state policy. Neilitz hopes her testimony will help ensure upcoming regulations support innovation while keeping human-centered care the top priority.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News Last Monday, another group of Northwoods veterans traveled to Washington, D.C., aboard the Never Forgotten Honor Flight, and local organizers are continuing their push to get more eligible veterans on the waiting list. As part of that effort, officials are working to dispel some of the most common reasons veterans hesitate to sign up. Many veterans believe they shouldn't apply because they didn't see combat, while others worry about health or mobility issues. Organizers stress that any military member, whether active duty, Reserve, or National Guard, who served prior to May 7, 1975, qualifies for the trip. Full medical support and personal assistance are provided throughout the entire day if needed. Other veterans say they have already been to Washington or fear reliving difficult memories. Honor Flight officials emphasize that traveling alongside fellow service members offers a unique experience—one that often brings long-overdue closure and healing. Since the local hub was founded in 2010, the program has flown more than 5,400 area veterans to the nation's capital. The local chapter typically takes 4 missions per year, with one more on the schedule this fall.

Published on 09/28/2026 under News The Town of Boulder Junction is gearing up for a milestone celebration in 2027, marking 100 years since its founding—and local organizers want the community's personal stories to help bring that history to life. The town's Centennial Committee is planning a full lineup of anniversary events, including commemorative plaques, a town-wide birthday party, a historical theatrical performance, and a summer art installation. To help preserve Boulder Junction's rich heritage, the committee is gathering written, audio, and video stories from residents, past visitors, and families. Submissions may be featured in the upcoming centennial booklet, theatrical performance, or on the town's historical website. We'll include all contact info online.They note that no memory is too small, and stories can span any topic or era in the town's past. There are a number of opportunities for community members to share their story. Community members can participate in video or audio recording sessions at the Boulder Junction Community Center on three upcoming Thursdays: October 1st, 8th, and 15th, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting Wendi Neupert at 715-574-3850 or Cherie Sanderson at 715-892-0761. Stories and photos can be submitted via email (boulderjunctionwicentennial@gmail.com) or via the BoulderJunctionHistory.org website.

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