The Milwaukee City Conference (also known as "City Conference") is a high school athletic conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All full-time member institutions are located in the city of Milwaukee and are members of the Milwaukee Public Schools system. Its members participate in WIAA Division 1.
Contents |
| Institution | Enrollment | Nickname | Colors | Varsity Teams
(including co-op teams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay View High School | 1,706 | Redcats | Scarlet & Black | 18 |
| Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School (Bradley Tech) | 1,554 | Trojans | Purple & White | 17 |
| Custer High School | 1,442 | Cougars | Red & White | 13 |
| Hamilton High School | 2,226 | Wildcats | Green & Gold | 18 |
| Rufus King High School | 1,474 | Generals | Royal Blue & Gold | 18 |
| Madison University High School | 1,530 | Knights | Forest Green & White | 19 |
| Marshall High School | 783 | Eagles | Scarlet Red & Columbia Blue | 17 |
| North Division High School | 606 | Blue Devils | Blue & White | 5 |
| Pulaski High School | 1,586 | Rams | Crimson Red & Navy Blue | 17 |
| Riverside University High School | 1,572 | Tigers | Orange & Black | 18 |
| South Division High School | 1,536 | Cardinals | Cardinal & White | 17 |
| Vincent High School | 1,612 | Vikings | Maroon & Gold | 17 |
| Washington High School | 1,062 | Purgolders | Purple & Gold | 16 |
The following schools are also members of the City Conference on a part-time basis:
Because many of the City Conference schools are at a financial disadvantage compared to other schools, a number operate co-op teams. These co-ops are usually between a full-time member and an affiliate member. If applicable, the "host" school is listed in bold.
The City Conference did not allow its teams to compete in the WIAA tournament until the 1951-52 season. The now disbanded Lincoln High School became the first City team to win the state title in 1959. They won four more state titles (1961, 1962, 1966, and 1967) and are considered the tournament's first dynasty.[4]
Hamilton won the Class A title in 1972, the first year in which separate tournaments were held based on enrollment size. Three city schools won consecutive titles at the turn of the decade, as Milwaukee Tech (1979), North Division (1980) and Madison (1981) each took home a Class A crown. Milwaukee Tech (now Bradley Tech) repeated its success in 1983.
Since then, 14 of the titles have gone to one of three City schools: Rufus King (1984, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2004), Washington (1985, 1987, 1991, 1993) and Vincent (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001).[5] Because of this, an intense rivalry has developed among the schools.
Vincent has won three Division 1 titles in Boys' Track & Field (2001, 2003 and 2005). Its success, however, is not unprecedented as South Division put together a string of five straight Class A (now known as Division 1) titles from 1985 to 1989. Other City Conference schools have made their presence felt during that time with North Division (1992) and Bradley Tech (1995) each having claimed a Division 1 title. King won in 2006.
Washington is one of two City Conference team to have won the WIAA Division 1 title, and have done it a record five times.[6] Its first Class A title came in 1979, and its second in 1990. They accomplished the first three-peat in girls' tournament history (in any division), winning the title in 1994, 1995 and 1996. Vincent has also won the title three, times 2007, 2008 and 2009.[1]
Since the WIAA Class A/Division 1 tournament was established in 1972, the following City schools that have won: Custer (1976), Riverside (1986), Bradley Tech (1996) and Rufus King (1989 and 2002).[7] In addition, athletes from the member schools hold five of the individual tournament records.[2]
There is often perceived to be a longstanding rift between the City Conference and the WIAA. Most recently, this has come to the forefront in the WIAA's decision to restrict travel outside of Wisconsin and its border states. The decision was made as a response to the practice of City Conference boys' basketball teams, which often traveled long distances to find competition. Athletic directors from City schools argued against the decision, saying the travel was paid for by the host school or event organizer.[3]
Supporters of City Conference schools also point out that its teams are often paired off against each other in the early rounds of WIAA tournaments, assuring that a minimal number of Milwaukee teams make it to the state finals.
The situation has caused some supporters to call for the City Conference to follow the lead of leagues in other major cities ,such as Chicago and Philadelphia, to hold its own tournaments separate from the WIAA.
List of high school athletic conferences in Wisconsin