Former Wisconsin high school athletic conference
The Braveland Conference is a former high school athletic conference in Wisconsin , formed in 1953 and ending competition in 1993. Its membership was concentrated in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and members were affiliated with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association .
30km 19miles
Location of Original Braveland Conference Members
The Braveland Conference was formed in 1953 by four high schools in the outer suburbs of Milwaukee : Cedarburg , Menomonee Falls , Port Washington and Watertown .[ 1] Cedarburg and Menomonee Falls had previously been members of the 4-C Conference , and Port Washington and Watertown competed independent of conference affiliation.[ 2] It was named after the National League's Milwaukee Braves , who had just relocated from Boston a few months earlier.[ 3]
Due to the rapid growth around the Milwaukee area occurring after World War II, new school districts began to pop up in and around Milwaukee County . In 1955, Salem Central joined the conference,[ 4] followed by Brookfield and Nicolet in 1956.[ 5] Salem Central left in 1958 to join the Southeastern Wisconsin Conference and cut down on the long travel distances from Kenosha County they had been experiencing as Braveland members.[ 6] They were replaced by the new high schools in Granville and Muskego that same year.[ 7] Oak Creek joined the conference in 1959,[ 8] just as Watertown left to rejoin the Little Ten Conference .[ 9] In 1961, the conference added six schools: Brookfield East ,[ 10] Greendale (formerly of the Suburban Conference ), Greenfield , Homestead , New Berlin and Whitnall . Brookfield East and New Berlin joined as junior varsity members before attaining full membership in 1962. To accommodate this growth, the conference split into two divisions.[ 11]
Northern Braveland
Southern Braveland
Cedarburg
Brookfield
Granville
Greendale
Homestead
Greenfield
Menomonee Falls
Muskego
Nicolet
Oak Creek
Port Washington
Whitnall
In 1962, Brookfield East and New Berlin joined as full members, and they were placed in the Southern Braveland. The newly renamed Brookfield Central shifted to the Northern Braveland to accommodate the expansion. Hamilton High School in Sussex joined that same year as a junior varsity member.[ 12]
Northern Braveland
Southern Braveland
Brookfield Central
Brookfield East
Cedarburg
Greendale
Granville
Greenfield
Homestead
Muskego
Menomonee Falls
New Berlin
Nicolet
Oak Creek
Port Washington
Whitnall
13km 8.1miles
Location of Braveland Conference Members (1969-1980)
The influx of new high schools in the Milwaukee area led both the Braveland and Suburban Conferences to begin discussing realignment options in the early 1960s.[ 13] With three more high schools set to join as full members in 1963 (Franklin , St. Francis and Sussex Hamilton), conference leadership decided that a seventeen-member conference was too unwieldy to continue.[ 14] The eight members in the southern suburbs left to form what later became the Parkland Conference :[ 15] Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, St. Francis and Whitnall.[ 16] Their departure solidified the Braveland as a conference for the Milwaukee area's northern second-ring suburban schools. In 1966, Granville High School changed its name to Brown Deer High School,[ 17] [ 18] due in part to annexation of the formerly unincorporated town of Granville into the city of Milwaukee a few years earlier.[ 19] [ 20] Conference membership increased to ten in 1969 with the split of Menomonee Falls High School into Menomonee Falls East and Menomonee Falls North.[ 21]
After years of discussion on high school conference realignment in southeastern Wisconsin, the WIAA presented a sweeping realignment plan for the 1980-81 school year. Two conferences were dissolved (the Scenic Moraine and South Shore )[ 22] and four of the thirteen displaced schools joined the Braveland, bringing membership to fourteen. Arrowhead , Germantown and Grafton joined from the Scenic Moraine and Kenosha Bradford from the South Shore.[ 23] [ 24] Kenosha Bradford would leave to join the Milwaukee Area Conference three years later,[ 25] and in 1984, the two Menomonee Falls high schools merged to form a new Menomonee Falls High School [ 26] [ 27] on East's campus.
13km 8.1miles
Location of Braveland Conference Members (1985-1993)
In 1985, another round of conference realignment had occurred in southeastern Wisconsin, and seven schools left the Braveland Conference. Brown Deer joined the Parkland Conference , and six schools (Cedarburg, Germantown, Grafton, Homestead, Nicolet and Port Washington) left to form the North Shore Conference (along with former Suburban Conference members Shorewood , Wauwatosa East , Wauwatosa West and Whitefish Bay ). Replacing the seven schools exiting the conference were Mukwonago from the Parkland Conference and Waukesha North and Waukesha South from the Suburban Conference.[ 28] For the final eight years of the conference's existence, all of its member schools were located in Waukesha County .
The Braveland Conference was realigned out of existence by the WIAA after the 1992-93 school year. Its four largest members (Arrowhead, Mukwonago, Waukesha North and Waukesha South)[ 29] joined the new fifteen-member Southeast Conference . The four smaller schools were dispersed to three different conferences: Brookfield Central and Brookfield East went to the new Woodland Conference , and Menomonee Falls and Sussex Hamilton went to the North Shore and Parkland Conferences, respectively.[ 30] Waukesha West High School was slated to become a member of the Braveland when they opened in 1993,[ 31] but the conference had been disbanded by that time and they joined the Southeast Conference.
Conference membership history [ edit ]
School
Location
Affiliation
Enrollment [ 32]
Mascot
Colors
Joined
Left
Conference Joined
Current Conference
Cedarburg
Cedarburg, WI
Public
1,087
Bulldogs
1953
1985
North Shore
Menomonee Falls North [ a]
Menomonee Falls, WI
Public
N/A
Indians
1953
1984
Closed (merged into Menomonee Falls )
Port Washington
Port Washington, WI
Public
815
Pirates
1953
1985
North Shore [ b]
Watertown
Watertown, WI
Public
1,170
Goslings
1953
1959
Little Ten
Badger
Salem Central [ c]
Paddock Lake, WI
Public
1,220
Falcons
1955
1958
Southeastern Wisconsin
Southern Lakes
Brookfield Central [ d]
Brookfield, WI
Public
1,270
Lancers
1956
1993
Woodland
Greater Metro
Nicolet
Glendale, WI
Public
1,086
Knights
1956
1985
North Shore
Brown Deer [ e]
Brown Deer, WI
Public
579
Falcons
1958
1985
Parkland
Woodland
Muskego
Muskego, WI
Public
1,683
Warriors
1958
1963
Parkland
Classic Eight
Oak Creek
Oak Creek, WI
Public
2,170
Knights
1959
1963
Parkland
Southeast [ f]
Brookfield East
Brookfield, WI
Public
1,362
Spartans
1961
1993
Woodland
Greater Metro
Greendale
Greendale, WI
Public
931
Panthers
1961
1963
Parkland
Woodland
Greenfield
Greenfield, WI
Public
1,163
Hustlin' Hawks
1961
1963
Parkland
Woodland
Homestead
Mequon, WI
Public
1,261
Highlanders
1961
1985
North Shore
New Berlin [ g]
New Berlin, WI
Public
699
Vikings
1961
1963
Parkland
Woodland
Whitnall
Greenfield, WI
Public
826
Falcons
1961
1963
Parkland
Woodland
Sussex Hamilton
Sussex, WI
Public
1,551
Chargers
1962
1993
Parkland
Greater Metro
Menomonee Falls East
Menomonee Falls, WI
Public
N/A
Titans
1969
1984
Closed (merged into Menomonee Falls )
Arrowhead
Hartland, WI
Public
2,076
Warhawks
1980
1993
Southeast
Classic Eight
Germantown
Germantown, WI
Public
1,332
Warhawks
1980
1985
North Shore
Greater Metro
Grafton
Grafton, WI
Public
713
Black Hawks
1980
1985
North Shore
Kenosha Bradford
Kenosha, WI
Public
1,765
Red Devils
1980
1983
Milwaukee Area
Southeast
Menomonee Falls
Menomonee Falls, WI
Public
1,292
Phoenix
1984
1993
North Shore
Greater Metro
Mukwonago
Mukwonago, WI
Public
1,619
Indians
1985
1993
Southeast
Classic Eight
Waukesha North
Waukesha, WI
Public
1,018
Northstars
1985
1993
Southeast
Classic Eight [ h]
Waukesha South
Waukesha, WI
Public
1,179
Blackshirts
1985
1993
Southeast
Classic Eight [ i]
^ Known as Menomonee Falls High School prior to 1969.
^ Joining new yet-to-be-named conference for 2025-26 school year.
^ Currently known as Westosha Central High School.
^ Known as Brookfield High School from 1956-1962.
^ Known as Granville Union High School from 1958-1966.
^ Joining Classic Eight Conference for 2025-26 school year.
^ Currently known as New Berlin West High School.
^ Joining Woodland Conference for 2025-26 school year.
^ Joining Woodland Conference for 2025-26 school year.
Membership timeline [ edit ]
List of state champions [ edit ]
Boys Cross Country
School
Year
Division
Port Washington
1956
Small Schools
Port Washington
1957
Small Schools
Port Washington
1960
Small Schools
Brookfield Central
1964
Medium Schools
Homestead
1967
Medium Schools
Menomonee Falls North
1971
Medium Schools
Menomonee Falls North
1976
Class A
Menomonee Falls North
1982
Class A
Brookofield Central
1986
Class A
Football
School
Year
Division
Menomonee Falls East
1976
Division 2
Grafton
1981
Division 2
Grafton
1982
Division 2
Girls Golf
School
Year
Division
Nicolet
1984
Single Division
Girls Tennis
School
Year
Division
Nicolet
1975
Single Division
Nicolet
1976
Single Division
Nicolet
1977
Single Division
Nicolet
1978
Single Division
Nicolet
1980
Single Division
Nicolet
1981
Single Division
Nicolet
1982
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1983
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1984
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1985
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1986
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1987
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1991
Single Division
Girls Basketball
School
Year
Division
Brookfield Central
1985
Class A
Arrowhead
1988
Class A
Arrowhead
1991
Class A
Gymnastics
School
Year
Division
Homestead
1975
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1976
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1977
Single Division
Brookfield East
1978
Class A
Brookfield East
1979
Class A
Nicolet
1980
Class A
Nicolet
1981
Class A
Nicolet
1982
Class A
Brookfield Central
1988
Class A
Brookfield Central
1991
Class A
Boys Wrestling
School
Year
Division
Port Washington
1971
Single Division
Port Washington
1984
Class A
Baseball
School
Year
Division
Watertown
1955
Single Division
Boys Golf
School
Year
Division
Brookfield Central
1978
Single Division
Nicolet
1980
Single Division
Waukesha South
1989
Single Division
Softball
School
Year
Division
Menomonee Falls East
1979
Class A
Arrowhead
1982
Class A
Boys Tennis
School
Year
Division
Nicolet
1959
Single Division
Nicolet
1967
Single Division
Nicolet
1968
Single Division
Nicolet
1969
Single Division
Nicolet
1970
Single Division
Nicolet
1971
Single Division
Nicolet
1972
Single Division
Nicolet
1973
Single Division
Nicolet
1974
Single Division
Nicolet
1976
Single Division
Nicolet
1977
Single Division
Nicolet
1978
Single Division
Brookfield East
1979
Single Division
Brookfield East
1980
Single Division
Brookfield East
1981
Single Division
Nicolet
1982
Single Division
Nicolet
1983
Single Division
Nicolet
1984
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1985
Single Division
Boys Track & Field
School
Year
Division
Port Washington
1954
Class B
Homestead
1963
Class B
Homestead
1964
Class B
Sussex Hamilton
1978
Class A
Brookfield Central
1983
Class A
Waukesha North
1993
Class A
Baseball [ a]
School
Year
Division
Granville
1966
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1969
Single Division
Homestead
1974
Single Division
Brown Deer
1975
Single Division
Brookfield Central
1976
Single Division
Brown Deer
1977
Single Division
Homestead
1978
Single Division
Sussex Hamilton
1981
Single Division
Nicolet
1985
Single Division
^ Baseball was sponsored by the WIAA as a spring and summer sport from 1965-2018. The Braveland Conference competed in baseball as a summer sport during this time period.
^ "Organize New Athletic Loop" . Waukesha Freeman . October 5, 1953. p. 9. Retrieved October 22, 2024 .
^ "Port Washington, 2 Other Schools Form New Loop" . West Bend News . April 7, 1953. p. 6. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "New League" . The Capital Times . September 25, 1953. p. 13. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Kenoshans Had Banner Sports Year" . Kenosha News . December 31, 1954. p. 16. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Braveland Loop Adds Two Teams" . Kenosha News . March 7, 1956. p. 13. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Sovitzky, George (January 9, 1958). "Central Quits Braveland, Joins Southeastern" . Kenosha News . p. 19. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Dunn, Pat (January 12, 1958). "SEC Has Met Growing Pains by Expansion" . Racine Journal Times . p. 35. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Muskego Trims Oak Creek Quint" . Waukesha County Freeman . December 10, 1958. p. 12. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Watertown Quits Braveland Loop" . Wisconsin State Journal . May 8, 1958. p. 43. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Sorenson to Coach at Brookfield East" . Waukesha County Freeman . April 19, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Greendale Enters Braveland League" . The Waukesha County Freeman . September 20, 1960. p. 10. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Blanchard, Ken (February 4, 1962). "Moran, Dean of Coulee Coaches, To Leave Salem" . La Crosse Tribune . p. 10. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Braveland Conference May Be Reorganized" . Sheboygan Press . January 27, 1960. p. 26. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "New Prep Conference Being Set Up Among 17 Braveland Teams" . Sheboygan Press . February 21, 1962. p. 20. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Vikings Gird For Opener - New Berlin Makes Debut In Parkland" . Waukesha County Freeman . March 28, 1963. p. 16. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "President Selected For "New" Braveland Conference Divisions" . Sheboygan Press . April 19, 1962. p. 30. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "School Building History" . Brown Deer Public Library, School Building History, page 3 (see Brown Deer High School entry) . 1986. Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ Associated Press (August 7, 1966). "Granville Wins State Baseball Title" . Eau Claire Leader-Telegram . p. 10. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Village of Brown Deer, Wisconsin History" . Village of Brown Deer . Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ United Press International (April 3, 1962). "Milwaukee Wins Major Victory in Annexation" . Green Bay Press-Gazette . p. 29. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Our History" . Menomonee Falls Schools . Retrieved October 23, 2024 .
^ Associated Press (April 4, 1979). "WIAA realignment OK'd" . Baraboo News Republic . p. 13. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "Alignment to split Tremper, Bradford" . Kenosha News . March 20, 1979. p. 29. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Mooren, Tony (March 20, 1979). "Suburban Could Become 15-School Conference" . Waukesha County Freeman . p. 8. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Associated Press (March 2, 1982). "WIAA realigns conference" . Oshkosh Northwestern . p. 19. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Brezonick, Michael J. (October 4, 1983). "Tough choices face officials in Menomonee Falls" . Waukesha County Freeman . p. 5. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Brezonick, Michael J. (August 28, 1984). "Falls becomes football Goliath" . Waukesha County Freeman . p. 11. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Fensin, Lee (August 27, 1985). "Waukesha teams begin play in new conference" . Waukesha County Freeman . p. 19. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Fensin, Lee (August 8, 1992). "Many Braveland schools share in success" . Waukesha Freeman . pp. 10D. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ "High School Scoreboard" . Waukesha Freeman . September 11, 1993. p. 31. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Moshier, Todd (January 26, 1991). "Alternate proposal being drawn up" . Waukesha County Freeman . pp. 12–D. Retrieved November 22, 2024 .
^ Wilson, Travis (November 27, 2023). "All school enrollment figures for 2023-24 sports year with one- and five-year enrollment comparisons" . Wisconsin Sports Network . Retrieved October 31, 2024 .
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