Wisconsin Soccer Central

High school soccer players, coaches and fans will want to pay close attention to next month's WIAA annual meeting – as will followers of all prep sports in Wisconsin.

Member schools will vote on two major amendments to the organization's constitution at the April 16 meeting in Stevens Point, one involving private schools' placements in WIAA tournaments and the other shifting the responsibility of creating conferences back to the schools.

Both proposed amendments address long-standing, hot-button WIAA topics.

The first measure would apply a 1.65 multiplier to the enrollments of all private, religious and independent schools for tournament placement. This would result in many schools in those categories being moved into a higher division.

More than 10 percent of the WIAA membership signed a petition supporting the amendment, which dictates that it be brought up for a vote at the annual meeting.

In boys soccer, private schools have won 29 of the 41 state titles awarded since the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association dissolved in 2000 and its schools joined the WIAA. Last fall, Muskego (Division 1), Oregon (Division 2) and Ashland (Division 3) all claimed titles, the first time in that span that more than one public school claimed championships.

On the girls' side, private schools have captured 19 of 37 state championships since 2001. That includes each of the past 10 Division 2 titles and five of the past seven Division 3 championships – with the tournament expanded to four divisions this year, those are now equivalent to divisions 3 and 4.

The second proposal would return the responsibility for conference formation and realignment to the schools, rather than having the WIAA in charge of the process.

This amendment was proposed by the WIAA, which frequently is the target of criticism in the seemingly constant push-and-pull that is conference realignment across the state. While it's not known what would happen if this amendment is approved, it could spark widespread reshuffling of conferences.

WIAA members also will vote on a proposal that would give soccer coaches the same unlimited non-school contact dates that are allowed in baseball, cross country, golf, gymnastics, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and wrestling.

Currently, unlimited non-school contact for fall soccer must conclude by July 31. The proposed amendment received unanimous support from the Sports Advisory Committee, the Advisory Council and the Board of Control.

Proposed WIAA amendments and editorial changes (pdf)

• As Wisconsin girls teams await the start of their season – practice starts March 24 – teams in warmer climates are already in action, leading to changes in the Student Sports Fab 50. Waukesha Catholic Memorial rose three spots to No. 36 this week, while Milwaukee DSHA moved into the national rankings at No. 50. There were no changes in the website's Wisconsin or Great Lakes Region rankings this week.

Do you know of other prep coaching changes for the 2014 season? Email us