December 14, 2020 at 8:34 a.m.
Proposals by Ashland, Hayward to leave GNC football denied by WIAA task force
Proposals by Ashland, Hayward to leave GNC football denied by WIAA task force
According to a WIAA press release, the task force voted not to advance the requests of plans submitted by Ashland, Hayward, Marinette, Oshkosh North and Oshkosh West, and West Allis Central and West Allis Hale.
Both Ashland and Hayward sought to move from the Great Northern Conference into the Heart O' North Conference, citing enrollment sizes, travel and competitive balance as reasons for requesting relief.
According to documents provided to the WIAA by the schools during the application process, Ashland had proposed replacing it with Wausau East in the GNC. Hayward suggested either moving Rice Lake into the GNC or having the GNC reduced to seven teams and play a crossover game with the La Crosse-area based Mississippi Valley Conference.
Hayward/Lac Courte Oreilles, in its first season in the GNC, went 2-5 this year, which included a Week 7 forfeit victory when Merrill had to cancel due to COVID-19 concerns. Ashland went 4-3, tying for third place in the GNC and was undefeated conference champions in 2018. Historically, however, Ashland's .295 winning percentage (18-43) in the GNC ranks ahead of only Rhinelander (.265, 17-48) among schools that have played at least 20 conference games.
The 11-player requests modified and advanced for further review and reaction from member schools impacted by the request include a combination of those submitted by Horicon/Hustisford and Pardeeville, River Falls and West Salem, and Sun Prairie East and Sun Prairie West. Those proposals will be advanced to the task force's next meeting to be held on Jan. 6, 2021. If plans advance from the January meeting, the WIAA Board of Control will review and make a final determination on each of the proposals at its March 5, 2021, meeting.
Schools submitting requests that were not advanced may appeal the decision at the task force meeting on Jan. 6. Appeals, if successful, will be communicated with the membership and re-evaluated by the task force. If the revised solutions are approved on appeal, they will be submitted to the Board of Control for consideration with any modifications and solutions communicated to the membership.
If the appeal is not approved by the task force schools can make a final appeal to the Board of Control at its meeting on Jan. 27, 2021.
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