Rock Valley Conference

The Rock Valley Conference is a high school athletic conference in Wisconsin, originally formed as the Central Suburban Conference in 1969. All member schools belong to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association and are concentrated in the Rock River Valley in south central Wisconsin.

History

1969-1977

Map
30km
19miles
Turner
Parkview
Oregon
Milton
Lake Mills
Evansville
Columbus
Clinton
Location of Central Suburban Conference Members (1970-1977)

The Rock Valley Conference was formed in 1969 as the Central Suburban Conference. Its original membership consisted of four members from the Central Section of the disbanded Madison Suburban Conference (Evansville, Lake Mills, Milton and Oregon) along with newcomers Clinton (from the Indian Trails Conference) and Turner (from the IHSA's SHARK Conference).[1] Columbus and Parkview joined the following season from the Little Ten Conference and State Line League, respectively.[2] The Central Suburban Conference maintained this membership roster for the rest of its eight-year history.

1977-2008

In 1977, Columbus and Lake Mills left to join the Capitol Conference and Oregon left to join the Badger Conference. They were replaced by two schools from the Badger Conference (Edgerton and Jefferson) and one from the State Line League (Brodhead).[3] That same year, the Central Suburban Conference changed its name to the Rock Valley Conference, both a reference to the old Rock River Valley League and the revised catchment area.[4] In 1982, Jefferson and Milton both left the Rock Valley to join the Southern Lakes Conference and were replaced by Beloit Catholic (from the IHSA's Trailblazer Conference)[5] and Big Foot (formerly of the Southern Lakes).[6] Palmyra-Eagle joined the conference in 1990 to bring membership up to nine schools.[7] Beloit Catholic left to join the Indian Trails Conference in 1996[8][9] for its last few years before it closed in 2000.[10]

2008-present

Membership remained unchanged until 2008 when the conference added four schools.[11] Jefferson made its return from the Southern Lakes Conference, and three newcomers joined: two from the Southern Lakes (East Troy and Whitewater) and one from the Badger Conference (McFarland).[12] The conference also split its membership into North and South Divisions:

North DivisionSouth Division
East TroyBig Foot
EdgertonBrodhead
EvansvilleClinton
JeffersonPalmyra-Eagle
McFarlandParkview
WhitewaterTurner

This alignment lasted until 2017, when both Palmyra-Eagle and Parkview left the Rock Valley to join more similarly-sized schools in the Trailways Conference.[13] McFarland and Monroe swapped conference affiliations in 2023, with Monroe joining the Rock Valley and McFarland taking their place in the Badger Conference.[14] Delavan-Darien was also welcomed into the Rock Valley from the Southern Lakes Conference that year,[15][16] and the conference subdivided into the current "Rock" and "Valley" Divisions:

Rock DivisionValley Division
Big FootDelavan-Darien
BrodheadEast Troy
ClintonJefferson
EdgertonMonroe
EvansvilleWhitewater
Turner

Football-only alignment

In February 2019, in conjunction with the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association, the WIAA released a sweeping football-only realignment for Wisconsin to commence with the 2020 football season and run on a two-year cycle.[17] The Rock Valley Conference entered the 2020 football season with eight members: East Troy, Edgerton, Edgewood, Evansville, Jefferson, McFarland, Monroe and Whitewater. Six members had full affiliation with the Rock Valley Conference with the exception of Edgewood and Monroe, who had primary affiliation with the Badger Conference.[18] In 2022, Edgewood left to join the Capitol Conference as a football-only member with Delavan-Darien moving over from the Southern Lakes Conference as their replacement.[19] Delavan-Darien played as a football-only member in the 2022 season before gaining full affiliation in the Rock Valley Conference the following year. The Rock Valley Conference will maintain its current football alignment until the 2026-2027 realignment cycle.[20] Membership will decrease to seven schools with East Troy moving to the Capitol Conference and McFarland swapping affiliations with Portage of the Badger Conference. The Rock Valley and Capitol Conferences will be scheduling partners during this cycle with one mandatory crossover game among each of its members that will count towards their home conference standings.[21]

List of member schools

Current full members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsJoinedDivision
Big FootWalworth, WIPublic449Chiefs   1982[6]Rock
BrodheadBrodhead, WIPublic315Cardinals   1977[3]Rock
ClintonClinton, WIPublic359Cougars   1969[1]Rock
Delavan-DarienDelavan, WIPublic628Comets   2023[15]Valley
East TroyEast Troy, WIPublic504Trojans   2008[11]Valley
EdgertonEdgerton, WIPublic537Crimson Tide   1977[3]Rock
EvansvilleEvansville, WIPublic507Blue Devils   1969[1]Rock
JeffersonJefferson, WIPublic604Eagles   1977,[3] 2008[11]Valley
MonroeMonroe, WIPublic742Cheesemakers   2023[14]Valley
TurnerBeloit, WIPublic460Trojans   1969[1]Rock
WhitewaterWhitewater, WIPublic606Whippets   2008[11]Valley

Current associate members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsPrimary ConferenceSport(s)
CambridgeCambridge, WIPublic266Bluejays   CapitolGirls Golf
Lakeside LutheranLake Mills, WIPrivate (WELS)506Warriors     CapitolGirls Golf
Luther PrepWatertown, WIPrivate (WELS)407Phoenix   Midwest ClassicBoys Tennis
McFarlandMcFarland, WIPublic774Spartans     BadgerFootball

Future football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsJoiningFormer ConferencePrimary Conference
PortagePortage, WIPublic705Warriors   2026BadgerBadger

Former full members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsJoinedLeftConference JoinedCurrent Conference
Beloit CatholicBeloit, WIPrivate (Catholic)N/ACrusaders   1982[6]1996[10]Indian TrailsClosed in 2000
ColumbusColumbus, WIPublic390Cardinals   1970[2]1977[3]Capitol
Lake MillsLake Mills, WIPublic491L-Cats   1969[1]1977[3]Capitol
McFarlandMcFarland, WIPublic774Spartans     2008[11]2023[14]Badger
MiltonMilton, WIPublic1,059Redhawks     1969[1]1982[6]Southern LakesBadger
OregonOregon, WIPublic1,248Panthers   1969[1]1977[3]Badger
Palmyra-EaglePalmyra, WIPublic195Panthers   1990[7]2017[13]Trailways
ParkviewOrfordville, WIPublic238Vikings   1970[2]2017[13]Trailways

Former football-only members

SchoolLocationAffiliationEnrollmentMascotColorsSeasonsConference JoinedCurrent Conference
EdgewoodMadison, WIPrivate (Catholic)569Crusaders   2020-2021CapitolBadger

Membership timeline

Full members

 North Division  South Division  Rock Division  Valley Division

Football members (since 2020)

Membership map

Map
13km
8.1miles
11
11 Whitewater
11 Whitewater
10
10 Turner
10 Turner
9
9 Monroe
9 Monroe
8
8 Jefferson
8 Jefferson
7
7 Evansville
7 Evansville
6
6 Edgerton
6 Edgerton
5
5 East Troy
5 East Troy
4
4 Delavan-Darien
4 Delavan-Darien
3
3 Clinton
3 Clinton
2
2 Brodhead
2 Brodhead
1
1 Big Foot
1 Big Foot
Location of Rock Valley Conference full members:

Sanctioned sports

Baseball
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Football
Boys Golf
Girls Golf
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Softball
Boys Tennis
Girls Tennis
Boys Track & Field
Girls Track & Field
Girls Volleyball
Boys Wrestling
Girls Wrestling
Big FootXXXX[a]X[a]XXX[a]X[a]XX[b]X[b]X[a]X[a]XX[a]X[a]
BrodheadX[c]XXX[c]X[c]XXX[c]X[c]XX[c]X[c]
ClintonXXXXXXXX[d]XXXXXX
Delavan-DarienXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
East TroyXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
EdgertonXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
EvansvilleXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
JeffersonXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
MonroeXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TurnerXXXXXXXXXXXXX
WhitewaterXXXXXXXXX[e]XXXXXXXX

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Co-operative with Williams Bay
  2. ^ a b Co-operative with Williams Bay and Faith Christian
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Co-operative with Juda
  4. ^ Co-operative with Turner
  5. ^ Co-operative with Palmyra-Eagle

List of state champions

Fall sports

Boys Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
Turner1976Class B
Clinton1983Class B
Clinton1985Class B
Clinton1986Class B
Girls Cross Country
SchoolYearDivision
East Troy2016Division 2
Football
SchoolYearDivision
Turner1988Division 4
Big Foot2009Division 4
Monroe2022Division 3
Boys Soccer
SchoolYearDivision
McFarland2020-21Alternate Season
Girls Volleyball
SchoolYearDivision
East Troy2013Division 2
East Troy2018Division 2

Winter sports

Girls Basketball
SchoolYearDivision
Clinton2003Division 3
Whitewater2015Division 3
Boys Swimming & Diving
SchoolYearDivision
McFarland2009Division 2
McFarland2010Division 2
McFarland2011Division 2
McFarland2012Division 2
Boys Wrestling
SchoolYearDivision
East Troy1986Class B
East Troy1987Class B
East Troy1988Class B

Spring sports

Baseball
SchoolYearDivision
Edgerton1990Class B
Turner2001Division 2
Jefferson2014Division 2
Boys Golf
SchoolYearDivision
Edgerton2012Division 2
Girls Soccer
SchoolYearDivision
McFarland2021Division 3
Softball
SchoolYearDivision
Brodhead2004Division 3
Brodhead2023Division 3
Boys Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Parkview1979Class B
Parkview1980Class B
Turner1987Class B
Brodhead1994Division 2
Brodhead1995Division 2
Brodhead2003Division 2
Whitewater2010Division 2
Jefferson2021Division 2
Girls Track & Field
SchoolYearDivision
Lake Mills1974Class B
East Troy2013Division 2
Jefferson2016Division 2

List of conference champions

Boys Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Evansville131970, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2017
Edgerton111978, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 2004, 2008, 2014, 2024, 2025
East Troy92009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020
Brodhead81978, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2022
Clinton61988, 1992, 1996, 2011, 2012, 2013
Turner61972, 2002, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024
Milton51971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1982
Big Foot41989, 1999, 2009, 2010
Jefferson31979, 1980, 1981
Columbus21973, 1977
McFarland22015, 2023
Monroe22024, 2025
Parkview22003, 2014
Beloit Catholic0
Delavan-Darien0
Lake Mills0
Oregon0
Palmyra-Eagle0
Whitewater0

Girls Basketball

SchoolQuantityYears
Clinton161976, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Brodhead102002, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022
Parkview61987, 1990, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010
Whitewater62012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024
Evansville51983, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2020
Big Foot42005, 2006, 2016, 2017
McFarland42010, 2014, 2019, 2023
East Troy32012, 2013, 2025
Edgerton32011, 2024, 2025
Jefferson31982, 2009, 2018
Palmyra-Eagle21998, 1999
Milton11977
Turner11984
Beloit Catholic0
Columbus0
Delavan-Darien0
Lake Mills0
Monroe0
Oregon0
Champions from 1978-1981, 1985 unknown

Football

SchoolQuantityYears
Evansville141975, 1978, 1981, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
Edgerton121979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2013, 2019
Brodhead/
Juda
101991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2014, 2015
Big Foot92007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Oregon71969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976
Turner71982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 2015
Jefferson51981, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014
Monroe42021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Clinton32015, 2016, 2017
McFarland32008, 2010, 2018
Milton21977, 1981
Columbus11971
East Troy12012
Lake Mills11970
Palmyra-Eagle12001
Beloit Catholic0
Delavan-Darien0
Edgewood0
Parkview0
Whitewater0

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Hillstrom, Eric (January 16, 1969). "City, Area Prep Hi-Notes". The Capital Times. p. 27. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Parkview to Join Suburban". Janesville Weekly Gazette. June 6, 1969. p. 34. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Hillstrom, Eric (August 17, 1977). "Learning to live with realignment". The Capital Times. p. 69. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "Rock Valley conference name once again". Wisconsin State Journal. June 27, 1976. pp. 4 (section 2). Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  5. ^ "Beloit Catholic eyes title in new league". Wisconsin State Journal. August 30, 1981. p. 66. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "Conference realignment to be time, money-saver". Kenosha News. May 28, 1981. p. 8. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "P-E packs parting shot". Wisconsin State Journal. August 27, 1989. p. 54. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Scoreboard (see Rock Valley Conference standings)". The Capital Times. December 26, 2024. pp. 4B. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  9. ^ "Zephyrs deal Lourdes a blow". Oshkosh Northwestern. December 15, 1996. pp. C2. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Catholic High in Beloit to shut down after 46 years". Wisconsin State Journal. June 13, 2000. p. 10. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e Kaebisch, Mike (August 24, 2008). "On the move: Four new teams change the landscape of the Rock Valley Conference". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 47. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  12. ^ Semrau, Dennis (September 4, 2007). "McFarland, Verona set for final season in Badger South". The Capital Times. pp. D1. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Davis, Sean (February 1, 2016). "Trailways set to welcome pair of schools". Portage Daily Register. p. 6. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Devlin, Travis (January 20, 2022). "Rock Valley, Southern Lakes Conference potentially impacted by realignment". Lake Geneva Regional News. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Hoey, Michael S. (March 19, 2022). "Comets officially moving to Rock Valley Conference". My Walworth County. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  16. ^ "WIAA board approves separate conference realignment plans". Vilas County News-Review. February 19, 2024. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "Revised Football-Only Conference Plan Released". Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 9, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  18. ^ "WFCA/WIAA Football-Only Realignment Proposal" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 6, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  19. ^ "Proposed Football Only Conference Alignment - 11-Player" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. February 11, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  20. ^ "2024-25 Conference Realignment Plan – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. December 14, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  21. ^ "2026 - 27 Conference Realignment – 11-Player Football" (PDF). Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. December 10, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  • Rock Valley Conference (official website)
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