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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

Local Voters Head to Polls

Published on 11/03/2026 under News Polling places across the Northwoods are officially open today as local residents step into the voting booth to decide local, state, and national contests." At the top of the ballot, an open governor's seat features Democratic Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and current 7th District Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany. Tiffany's run leaves an open seat in Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District, where Republican Michael Alfonso faces Democrat Fred Clark. Statewide, voters will also decide races for Attorney General, Treasurer, and Secretary of State, along with three proposed constitutional amendments. In the state legislature, a pair of local rematches are on the ballot. District 35 Republican Calvin Callahan faces Democratic challenger Elizabeth McCrank, while District 34 Representative Rob Swearingen takes on Democratic challenger Merlin Van Buren. Sheriff races in Vilas, Oneida, Lincoln, Langlade, and Marathon counties are also up for election, though each incumbent or candidate is running unopposed—with Lincoln and Langlade counties set to welcome new sheriffs following a pair of retirements. Finally, voters in the Athens, Edgar, and Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lakeland school districts are among those deciding on local school referendum funding. Voters can visit MyVote.wi.gov and enter their address to view their specific sample ballot and polling place details before heading out to vote.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News Beyond high-profile candidate races, voters in several Northwoods communities are deciding on a major local school funding request today. The Minocqua J1 School District has placed a recurring operational referendum question on the ballot. The district serves Minocqua-Hazelhurst-Lakeland (MHLT), along with Creative Minds and Lakeland STAR charter schools. If approved, the measure will allow the district to exceed state revenue limits by $3.5 million annually starting in the 2027–2028 school year. District officials estimate the initial tax impact will be approximately 66 cents per $1,000 of equalized property value, though they project the mill rate could stabilize or even drop over time as local property values grow. Other North Central Wisconsin districts with referendum questions on today's ballot include Athens and Edgar. Athens is seeking $600,000 annually for four years for operational and maintenance expenses. Edgar is looking to extend its existing referendum at $1.4 million annual for another 5 years to maintain programs, services and maintenance. Statewide there are more than 70 districts seeking additional funding.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News Aspirus Merrill Hospital is celebrating a century of service to Lincoln County by looking straight toward the future. First opening its doors in November 1926, the hospital is marking its 100th anniversary this month while putting the final touches on a major 40-million-dollar renovation set to wrap up early next year. The project modernizes key patient spaces, adding a new Emergency Department triage room, expanded imaging and laboratory facilities, a dedicated inpatient physical therapy suite, and ten new patient rooms to double inpatient capacity to 20 beds. Interim Chief Administrative Officer Deakin Washatko called reaching 100 years an incredible milestone, noting that leadership is proud of the hospital's history, while they continue to focus on securing quality care close to home for generations to come. The Aspirus Health Foundation plans to host a community open house in early 2027 to showcase the upgrades and celebrate a century of service to Merrill-area families.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News An 80-year-old Grafton man made his initial appearance in Lincoln County Court Monday following a wrong-way chase and crash on Highway 51 last week. Rory Hofmann is formally charged with recklessly endangering safety, second-offense OWI causing injury, and two counts of fleeing an officer causing bodily harm. The charges stem from Thursday evening after dispatchers received reports of a vehicle driving southbound in the northbound lanes in northern Lincoln County. Hofmann failed to pull over leading deputies on a short pursuit, before a patrol lieutenant maneuvered his squad into the vehicle's path to stop it. The crash damaged the squad car and a civilian vehicle, injuring both the lieutenant and the civilian driver. The judge at yesterday's hearing set a combination one thousand dollar cash and nine thousand dollar signature bond. Release conditions require absolute sobriety, a prohibition on driving, and installation of a personal sobrieter device. Future court dates will be set at a later time.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News A long-time Northwoods educator is being recognized by her peers across the state for her dedication to business and marketing education. Rhinelander High School teacher Mischell Fryar was named Marketing Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Marketing Education Association during a recognition luncheon at the annual BEcoME IT Conference. Fryar has been an active member of the association for 26 years, serving on its board of directors for 25 of those years in several leadership roles, including president, secretary, and current treasurer. She called the award extra special for two reasons: first, the recognition was voted on by her fellow marketing educators statewide, and second, the award was presented by one of her former students who followed in her footsteps to become a marketing teacher herself. The annual two-day BEcoME IT Conference brings together business, IT, and marketing educators from across Wisconsin every October for professional development, industry networking, and state education updates.

Published on 11/03/2026 under News Northcentral Technical College is teaming up with three local employers to boost artificial intelligence and tech training. Utilizing over $500,000 in grant funding through Wisconsin's WisTRAIN program, NTC will deliver specialized instruction in AI, cybersecurity, and advanced workplace technologies. The initiative supports 175 current employees and new hires at Apogee Wausau Group, Enerquip Thermal Solutions (Medford), and REI Engineering. Training is tailored to each company's specific needs. NTC President Jeannie Worden says the partnerships help local workers build confidence with emerging tech while keeping regional businesses competitive. The grants are part of a $6.6 million statewide investment by Governor Tony Evers and the Department of Workforce Development.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News It's that time of year when deer become more active, and safety officials are reminding motorists to use extra caution on the road. While hunters love seeing a big buck cross their path in the field, hitting one behind the wheel is a different story. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, deer-vehicle crashes spike sharply during the fall as days shorten and bucks pursue potential mates. WisDOT statistics show there were more than 17,000 deer-vehicle crashes in the state last year, with about a third occurring in October and November. Locally, deer collisions are also climbing. Over the past four weeks alone, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office reported more than 60 deer-related crashes on county roadways. Safety officials remind drivers to buckle up, slow down, and scan the road ahead—particularly at dawn and dusk when deer are most active. Because deer often travel in groups, seeing one cross the road usually means others are close behind. If a collision is unavoidable, experts recommend braking firmly while remaining in your lane. Swerving should be avoided, as it can cause you to lose control, leave the roadway, or collide with oncoming traffic, leading to a far more severe crash. If you do strike a deer, safely pull off to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights, and remain in your vehicle while waiting for assistance to arrive.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News Multiple people were injured Thursday evening after a fleeing driver struck a deputy squad and a civilian car in Lincoln County. According to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received multiple calls shortly after 7:00 p.m. regarding a wrong-way driver traveling southbound in the northbound lane of Highway 51, heading from Oneida County into Lincoln County. A deputy located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to pull over despite the patrol car's emergency lights and siren being activated. Rather than conducting a PIT maneuver, out of concern for safety, a patrol lieutenant maneuvered his squad into the path of the oncoming vehicle. The suspect's vehicle struck the occupied patrol car as well as a civilian vehicle. Both the driver of the civilian car and the patrol lieutenant sustained suspected injuries in the crash. The suspect, identified as 80-year-old Rory Hofmann of Grafton, Wisconsin, was taken into custody on numerous charges including second-offense OWI causing injury, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and fleeing or failing to stop. He's scheduled for an initial appearance in court today. The Wisconsin State Patrol is handling the investigation.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News A teenager charged in connection with an altercation at Lincoln Hills that led to the death of a staff member was sentenced to three years in prison. Javarius Hurd returned to Lincoln County Circuit Court on Friday for his sentencing hearing. Earlier in the week, a jury returned a split verdict following a six-day trial into the 2024 death of Corey Proulx at the juvenile correctional facility. While Hurd was acquitted of the most serious charge—reckless homicide—he was convicted of one count of battery by a prisoner. At Friday's hearing, the judge sentenced Hurd to three years in prison, followed by three years of extended supervision. He was also ordered to have no contact with Lincoln Hills or the other counselor involved in the incident. Hurd was granted 858 days of credit for time already served.

Published on 11/02/2026 under News If you grew up in the Northwoods, chances are you've taken a field trip to Trees for Tomorrow. To make sure future students get that same opportunity, the Eagle River center is launching a new fundraising drive." Trees For Tomorrow announced its year-end initiative, titled TFT4All: Fueling Our Growth. The nonprofit is seeking to raise 250 thousand dollars to fund student scholarships and offset rising operational costs for visiting K-12 school districts. To help reach that goal, a group of donors has established an 85 thousand dollar matching challenge, doubling all contributions dollar-for-dollar through the end of the year. For more than 80 years, the Eagle River campus has hosted field-based science programs, serving roughly 14 thousand youth and adults annually. Center leadership notes that tight school budgets and increasing expenses have made financial support critical for families relying on scholarship assistance for field trips. Organizers say funds raised will directly cover student program fees, maintain campus infrastructure, and upgrade gear used for outdoor conservation science.

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