WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — UWSP-Wausau athletics will be competing in a new league beginning this fall following a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
Officials from three University of Wisconsin campuses announced the creation of the Wisconsin Competitive Sports League, which will begin play in September with seven institutions including UWSP Wausau and Marshfield.
“The seven of us are going to compete in a conference schedule with eligibility for some non-conference play,” said Bill Gibbs, the head men’s basketball coach and Athletic Director for UWSP Wausau. “We’re just excited to get it back.”
In addition to the Marshfield and Wausau schools, the three branch campuses of UW Green Bay (Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Marinette) and Oshkosh (Fond du Lac, Fox Cities) will also participate, giving the league seven members. The remaining two-year UW campuses such as Barron County and Baraboo have not been included in the initial alignment, but Gibbs says the hope is to include them at some point.
“The old Wisconsin Collegiate Conference was the 13 two-year campuses of the UW System. Some of them are not bringing athletics back. But, we would like to have them come back in the picture and join us. We are even open to other institutions potentially joining the league,” said Gibbs.
Student-athletes participating in the league will have two years of eligibility just like any other Junior College. However, the WCSL will not have any national affiliation. Meaning conference championships will be the highest level of competition.
Initial sports offerings will include women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, and both men’s and women’s tennis. That gives the league at least one sport going in each of the traditional college sports seasons (fall, winter, spring).
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