STEVENS POINT, WI – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Board of Control has approved several rule changes and updates affecting multiple sports, conference alignments, and school co-ops following its October meeting.
Track and field will see the most adjustments starting next spring, including new pole vault weigh-in requirements, revised relay substitution rules, and alternating regional and sectional schedules beginning in 2027. The wheelchair division will also see expanded advancement opportunities and standardized shot put weights.
In softball, the 10-run rule after five innings will now apply consistently to all regular-season and postseason games, including state championships. A proposed increase in free admissions for team staff was discussed but will be revisited in future meetings.
The lone lacrosse change requires all playoff seeding meetings to be conducted virtually starting next season. Additionally, a major conference realignment will take effect in 2026–27, splitting the Woodland Conference into two new leagues: the Woodland and Parkland Conferences.
The Board also approved 112 fall sports co-op programs for 2026–28 and ratified new drone-use policies for tournament events. Two potential constitutional amendments, addressing Board powers and coaching contact rules, will be considered for advancement to the WIAA’s annual meeting in March.
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