WJJQ Radio

Story Details

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

Officials Encourage Motorcycle Safety Ahead of Tomahawk Fall Ride

Published on 09/15/2026 under News With an influx of visitors arriving in the Northwoods for the Tomahawk Fall Ride, local officials are asking all motorists—whether traveling on two wheels or four—to safely share the road. While the event brings a festive atmosphere, the weekend typically sees a handful of motorcycle crashes. Local law enforcement agencies hope drivers and riders alike will do their part to prevent accidents. Officials emphasize that motorcycles have a smaller profile than passenger vehicles, making it easy to misjudge their speed and distance. Drivers are urged to look twice at intersections, double-check blind spots before changing lanes, and stay alert for increased pedestrian traffic around event venues. Motorists should also watch for temporary speed limit reductions, added stop signs, and street closures put in place to accommodate the crowds. Above all, public safety officials offer a familiar reminder: slow down, put away distractions, and never drive impaired. Speaking of law enforcement, the Tomahawk Police Department continues their Fall Ride tradition of bringing in additional officers via mutual aid requests. We'll have a bit more on that program later this week.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Local history is having a major moment in the Northwoods this season. Author and historian Thomas E. Burg recently released his latest work, The Milwaukee Road's Gleason Line, offering readers a deep dive into regional logging and rail transportation. A frequent guest on Morning Conversation to discuss his fictional sheriff series, Burg now returns to his lifelong passion for railway history. The 52-page book documents Gleason's critical role as a regional rail hub between 1900 and World War II. During this era, the branch line transported timber directly to the bustling sawmills of Merrill and Wausau, spurring new settlements along the tracks. Packed with detailed maps, historical narratives, and rare, high-quality photographs, the release preserves a vital chapter of local heritage. Regional historians have already praised the work for safeguarding area logging and railroad lore. Released in late August, The Milwaukee Road's Gleason Line is available at the Merrill Historical Society, Janke Book Store in Wausau, and other local outlets. Though unrelated, the book's arrival pairs nicely with last weekend's premiere of the local historical documentary Tomahawk: City in the Pines.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Wisconsin Public Service employees are turning on-the-job safety into direct support for local heroes, awarding a five-thousand-dollar grant to a well-known regional veterans organization. The contribution to the Never Forgotten Honor Flight comes through the WPS Safety Charity Challenge. Under the company-wide initiative, WPS employees who meet quarterly safety benchmarks select area non-profits to receive grants funded by the WPS Foundation. Since launching in 2010, the Never Forgotten Honor Flight has flown nearly 5,400 Northwoods veterans to Washington, D.C., to tour the memorials built in their honor. Coincidentally, the latest donation comes right as the organization prepares to board its 57th mission this Monday.

Published on 09/15/2026 under News Crews worked carefully Monday morning to recover a small airplane that crash-landed on Lake Wausau while carrying Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany. The aircraft went down Saturday evening after losing power as Tiffany and the pilot were returning from an event in La Crosse. Both men were able to exit the plane safely and were treated for minor injuries. With rain and thunderstorms in the forecast for Monday afternoon, removal teams worked together through the morning to float the plane to a public access area, where it was loaded onto a flatbed trailer. Navigating city streets posed another challenge as crews hauled the aircraft to the Wausau Downtown Airport. The plane will likely remain in a hangar there while the Federal Aviation Administration investigates the cause of the power loss. A preliminary report could be released within a month, though a full investigation may take up to a year.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News It's Fall Ride week in the Tomahawk area, and preparations are well underway. This marks the 45th year of the Tomahawk Fall Ride. Before the bikes roll into town, local businesses are gearing up for what is typically one of their busiest and most important weeks of the year. A quick drive through the community will find tents popping up outside numerous businesses to accommodate beer gardens, outdoor entertainment, and traveling vendors. That same transition is underway in the Nokomis area where fields are also being converted into temporary, large-scale campgrounds with early-bird campers already moving in over the past week. Fall Ride week typically begins slowly and builds towards the weekend as tens of thousands of motorcycles descend upon the Northwoods. Some of the highlights include the Chamber Brat Fry and Bon Fire at SARA Park on Thursday; Tomahawk Main Street will play host to the Friday Thunder Parade and Street Dance; and a weekend's worth of entertainment at SARA Park. As always stay tuned to WJJQ throughout the week for all of your Fall Ride news, updates, and reports.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News U.S. Representative and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Tiffany is recovering after a plane crash over the weekend in Marathon County. Around 8:50 Saturday night, while returning from La Crosse, the four-seat plane lost power as it approached the Wausau Downtown Airport, forcing the pilot to make an emergency water landing on Lake Wausau. As the aircraft began to submerge, Tiffany and the pilot called 911, exited the plane, and reached a shallow area where they awaited first responders. Both men were treated and released from Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Tiffany required stitches above his right eye, but was otherwise unharmed. In a statement, the congressman praised the quick response of local emergency crews and expressed gratitude to the pilot, Len Boltz. He held a short press conference with first responders Sunday. His Democratic opponent in the governor's race, David Crowley, released a statement wishing Tiffany a quick recovery. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News While many used the anniversary of the September 11th attacks as a moment of quiet reflection, a dedicated group of local volunteers used it as an opportunity to give back. Volunteers spent Saturday morning at the Northwoods National Cemetery in Harshaw wiping down headstones, clearing off gravesites, and helping with general groundskeeping. The cleanup effort was part of a nationwide initiative led by Carry the Load, an organization focused on honoring the sacrifices of military members, veterans, and first responders. The group organizes volunteer service events across the country to inspire community action, on civic holidays throughout the year including: Memorial Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day. Saturday's work in Harshaw was part of a broader effort, with simultaneous Carry the Load events held at more than 140 cemeteries nationwide.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News A summer-long art scavenger hunt in downtown Antigo has wrapped up, and organizers are calling it a huge success. Coordinated by Antigo Visual Arts, the project brought together 32 local artists and 36 downtown businesses. Artists contributed paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures. Each piece was displayed inside or outside a participating business, turning the downtown district into an interactive, walk-through gallery. Antigo Visual Arts President Danna Gabriel says the event gave local artists a stage to share their creativity, while encouraging residents and visitors to explore downtown and support local shops. Participating business owners noted that the hunt was especially popular with families, with parents, kids, and grandparents teaming up to complete their lists and vote on their favorite pieces. Following the strong turnout and positive feedback, Antigo Visual Arts plans to make the scavenger hunt an annual tradition, with hopes to expand the event even further in 2027. Photo: Winning art piece created by Vicki Eldridge

Published on 09/14/2026 under News With archery and crossbow season now underway, the Wisconsin DNR is reminding hunters to make sure they properly identify their target before taking the shot. While white-tailed deer are far more common across the state, Wisconsin's elk population continues to grow. Though the state's two main elk herds are located in the Clam Lake and Black River Falls areas, young bulls often wander outside those zones during the fall mating season. The DNR points to three key differences to help hunters tell them apart: size, coloring, and antlers. An adult elk stands one to two feet taller than a whitetail. Elk are also darker brown with black legs and a dark mane, while deer are lighter tan with a white tail. Additionally, a bull elk's antlers sweep backward, while a buck's curve forward. Accessories are another clear sign; most elk in Wisconsin wear an ear tag or a bright GPS collar. Accidentally shooting an elk without a tag can result in heavy fines and the revocation of hunting privileges. Wisconsin's archery season runs through early January.

Published on 09/14/2026 under News Facility renovations will force the Lincoln County Veterans Service Office to temporarily relocate. Starting today, and during the renovation period, public operations will move down the road to the Lincoln County Human Services Building. Directional signage will be posted at both buildings to guide visitors.Just check in at the front desk, and a staffer will get you. Office hours will stay the same. Veterans Service Officer Matthew Pultz says that these updates are designed to enhance facilities for local veterans and their families. Officials appreciate the community's patience and encourage veterans to plan their service needs around the transition.

+ Read More