State Line League

The State Line League is a former high school athletic conference in Wisconsin. Formed in 1927 and ending competition in 1997, its membership consisted of small schools located in the southernmost counties of the state along the Wisconsin-Illinois border. All member schools (with the exception of one) were associated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

History

Origins and Early Years (1927-1944)

The State Line League was formed in 1927 by eight small high schools in south central Wisconsin: Argyle, Belleville, Blanchardville, Brodhead, Hollandale, Juda, Monticello and New Glarus.[1] Original member schools were located predominantly in Green and Lafayette Counties, which are located on the border between Wisconsin and Illinois. Albany High School joined the State Line League in the 1928-29 school year, taking the place of Juda, which left the league after its first season.[2] Juda High School would make its return in 1929, bringing membership to nine schools.[3] Two years later, membership would go back down to eight as Brodhead left to join the Rock River Valley League in 1931.[4][5] Brooklyn High School would take their place the next year,[6] and Orfordville High School would join in 1933. With the increase in membership to ten schools, the State Line League would split into Eastern and Western Divisions:[7]

Eastern Division Western Division
Albany Argyle
Brooklyn Belleville
Juda Blanchardville
Monticello Hollandale
Orfordville New Glarus

Consolidations and New Territory (1944-1971)

The State Line League ended its two-division format and welcomed Brodhead back into the fold in 1944, bringing membership to eleven schools.[8] This would remain the case until 1951, when Hollandale left to join the Iowa County League.[9] Over the next few years, rural school district consolidations would change conference membership. Brooklyn High School was closed in 1962 and consolidated with the larger Oregon High School,[10] and their place was immediately taken by South Wayne (formerly of the Black Hawk League).[11] Five years later, South Wayne was merged with Gratiot to form Black Hawk High School, which remained in the State Line League after consolidation.[12] In 1970, Parkview (formerly Orfordville) High School would leave the State Line League to join the Central Suburban Conference.[13] The last of the consolidations to affect membership occurred in 1971, when Blanchardville and Hollandale merged to form Pecatonica High School.[14] Two schools joined the State Line League that year in addition to Pecatonica: Barneveld (from the disbanded Kickapoo Valley League) and Holy Name Seminary in Madison.[15]

Later Years and Merger with Black Hawk League (1971-1998)

Membership in the State Line League remained stable for the rest of its existence with the exception of two schools leaving the conference. Brodhead joined the Rock Valley Conference in 1977,[16] and Holy Name Seminary left the conference in 1995 after the Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison closed its doors that year.[17] Two years later, the Six Rivers Conference was formed through the merger of the nine members of the State Line League with the seven members of the neighboring Black Hawk League.[18]

Conference Membership History

School Location Affiliation Enrollment Mascot Colors Joined Left Conference Joined Current Conference
Argyle Argyle, WI Public 74 Orioles     1927[1] 1997[18] Six Rivers
Belleville Belleville, WI Public 279 Wildcats     1927[1] 1997[18] Six Rivers Capitol
Blanchardville Blanchardville, WI Public N/A Golden Eagles     1927[1] 1971[14] Closed (consolidated into Pecatonica)[14]
Brodhead Brodhead, WI Public 315 Cardinals     1927,[1] 1944[8] 1931,[4] 1977[16] RVL, RVC Rock Valley
Hollandale Hollandale, WI Public N/A Panthers     1927[1] 1951[9] Iowa County Closed (consolidated into Pecatonica)[14]
Juda Juda, WI Public 96 Panthers     1927,[1] 1929[3] 1928,[2] 1997[18] Independent,

Six Rivers

Six Rivers
Monticello Monticello, WI Public 98 Ponies     1927[1] 1997[18] Six Rivers
New Glarus New Glarus, WI Public 323 Glarner Knights     1927[1] 1997[18] Six Rivers Capitol
Albany Albany, WI Public 80 Comets     1928[2] 1997[18] Six Rivers
Brooklyn Brooklyn, WI Public N/A Hornets     1932[6] 1962[10] Closed (consolidated into Oregon)[10]
Parkview Orfordville, WI Public 238 Vikings     1933[7] 1970[13] Central Suburban Trailways
South Wayne South Wayne, WI Public N/A Vandals     1962[11] 1967[12] Closed (consolidated into Black Hawk)[12]
Black Hawk South Wayne, WI Public 109 Warriors     1967[12] 1997[18] Six Rivers
Barneveld Barneveld, WI Public 128 Golden Eagles     1971[15] 1997[18] Six Rivers
Holy Name Seminary Madison, WI Private (Catholic) N/A Hilanders     1971[15] 1995[17] Closed in 1995[17]
Pecatonica Blanchardville, WI Public 106 Vikings     1971[14] 1997[18] Six Rivers

List of State Champions

Fall Sports

Boys Cross Country
School Year Division
Albany 1971 Small Schools
Holy Name Seminary 1972 WISAA Class B[19]
Albany 1975 Class C
Holy Name Seminary 1979 WISAA Class C[20]
Holy Name Seminary 1980 WISAA Class C[21]
Albany 1987 Class C
Albany 1988 Class C
Albany 1989 Class C
Albany 1990 Division 3
Girls Cross Country
School Year Division
Albany 1989 Class C
Albany 1990 Division 3
Albany 1991 Division 3
Football
School Year Division
Holy Name Seminary 1985 WISAA Class B[22]

Winter Sports

Girls Basketball
School Year Division
Monticello 1991 Division 4
Pecatonica 1993 Division 4
Pecatonica 1994 Division 4
Barneveld 1995 Division 4
Barneveld 1998 Division 4

Spring Sports

Boys Track & Field
School Year Division
Holy Name Seminary 1974 WISAA Class C[23]
Belleville/New Glarus 1996 Division 2

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Eight Schools Organize New Sports League". The Capital Times. 14 October 1927. p. 12. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Three Are Tied in Line Loop". The Capital Times. 16 February 1929. p. 6. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b "New Glarus, Brodhead Lead State Line League". Wisconsin State Journal. 24 January 1930. p. 20. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Rock River League Cage Schedule to be Revised". Wisconsin State Journal. 19 November 1931. p. 20. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  5. ^ "Hollandale Tied With New Glarus for Lead". Wisconsin State Journal. 23 December 1931. p. 13. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Two Tied for State Line Lead". The Capital Times. 22 December 1932. p. 14. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Blanchardville, New Glarus Lead". The Capital Times. 21 December 1933. p. 13. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b Kleinheinz, Bill (20 November 1944). "Southern State Prep Cagers to Play 58 Games This Week". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 16. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  9. ^ a b "News from the Livingston Area". Platteville Journal and Grant County News. 12 April 1951. p. 10. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Brooklyn Prep Fete on Mar. 29". The Capital Times. 23 March 1962. p. 22. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Prep Cage Standings (see State Line League)". Wisconsin State Journal. 26 November 1962. p. 16. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d "Black Hawk Veterans in 100-42 Win". The Capital Times. 18 November 1967. p. 15. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Oregon Defends Title". Wisconsin State Journal. 17 September 1970. p. 12. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e Hillstrom, Eric (4 June 1971). "City, Area Prep Hi-Notes". The Capital Times. p. 26. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  15. ^ a b c Hillstrom, Eric (16 September 1971). "What's the Score?". The Capital Times. p. 28. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Rock Valley conference name once again". Wisconsin State Journal. 27 June 1976. p. 28. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Perry-Daniels, Gail (3 May 1995). "'Sense of loss' felt deeply as Holy Name will close". The Capital Times. p. 3. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hernandez, Rob (20 May 1997). "Leagues realign: For now, merger brings no changes". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 30. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Ledger Harriers Place 2nd in Defense of State Crown". Fond du Lac Reporter. 30 October 1972. p. 28. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  20. ^ "Holy Name harriers outclass WISAA field". Wisconsin State Journal. 28 October 1979. pp. 9 (Section 2). Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  21. ^ "Holy Name to defend title". Wisconsin State Journal. 1 November 1980. pp. 7 (Section 2). Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  22. ^ Lindstrom, Don (16 November 1985). "Holy Name wins WISAA B title". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. 1 (Section 4). Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  23. ^ Associated Press. "Pius, Roncalli, Holy Name state WISAA track champs". Wausau Daily Herald. p. 21. Retrieved 10 December 2024.