STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Competitive Balance Ad Hoc Committee met Thursday, Jan 6 at the organization’s headquarters and virtually Tuesday, Jan. 18 to develop its purpose and operating principles.

The committee, which was selected by the WIAA Board of Control charged with studying competitive balance across member schools and recommend solutions, agreed to the following purpose statement that will frame the committee’s activities:

The purpose of the committee is to thoughtfully and intentionally research the association’s ability to conduct Tournament Series in which all members feel their school has an opportunity to be competitive; and based on this research, the committee will recommend option(s) to the Board of Control to help ensure all members feel their school has an opportunity to be competitive.

Operational objectives for the committee were also discussed and identified. The committee’s objectives are:

* Analyze data and other information to determine if there is a problem with the current playoff structure
* Keep the student-athlete’s well-being at the center of the discussions
* Share information and evidence through the process with the stakeholders along with the explanation of the decisions
* Provide a possible solution(s) to the competitive balance topic to the Board of Control and membership
* Adhere to a communications plan

The committee is committed to following a robust process and working as transparent as possible. To provide continual communication and transparency throughout the process, a feedback form is available for member school administrators to complete and submit following each meeting on the Competitive Balance homepage on the WIAA website.

The committee obtained the services of the Donavan Group from Milwaukee to assist in development and approval of a communication plan that seeks engagement from membership for two-way communication about the work of the committee; provide honest and transparent communication with the membership; and raise the level of dialogue regarding the work of the committee and complexity of the issue in finding a solution.

The membership of the WIAA oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 516 senior high schools and 45 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It sponsors 27 championship Tournament Series for boys and girls in 2021-22. 

# WIAA #