The South Shore Conference is a former high school athletic conference in Wisconsin, operating from 1970 to 1980 with its membership concentrated in Racine and Kenosha.
History
Prior to the creation of the South Shore Conference, the public high schools in Racine and Kenosha were part of the Big Eight, a conference of large high schools in southern Wisconsin that also included schools from Madison, Janesville and Beloit. As new schools were added to districts due to population growth, membership had experienced a net increase to twelve by the end of the 1960s. Tensions increased between the Madison-area schools and those in southeastern Wisconsin, and the South Shore Conference was formed in 1970 after the five schools in Racine and Kenosha were forced out by the rest of the Big Eight members . This was a move that was met with some opposition by the WIAA since a five-team conference was widely seen as inadequately sized. After several years of attempting to merge the South Shore Conference with several large conferences in southern Wisconsin (including a failed attempt to create a cross-border league with high schools in northern Illinois), the conference was dissolved in 1980. The five schools were spread out over four existing conferences before reconstituting as the Big Nine Conference (along with four high schools on the south side of Milwaukee) in 1985.
Conference Membership History
| School | Location | Affiliation | Enrollment | Mascot | Colors | Joined | Left | Conference Joined | Current Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha Bradford | Kenosha, WI | Public | 1,765 | Red Devils | 1970 | 1980 | Braveland | Southeast | |
| Kenosha Tremper | Kenosha, WI | Public | 1,835 | Trojans | 1970 | 1980 | Milwaukee Area | Southeast | |
| Racine Case | Racine, WI | Public | 1,892 | Eagles | 1970 | 1980 | Parkland | Southeast | |
| Racine Horlick | Racine, WI | Public | 1,360 | Rebels | 1970 | 1980 | Suburban | Southeast | |
| Racine Park | Racine, WI | Public | 1,059 | Panthers | 1970 | 1980 | Milwaukee Area | Southeast |
List of State Champions
Fall Sports
| School | Year | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Kenosha Tremper | 1971 | Large Schools |
| Racine Case | 1973 | Class A |
| Racine Case | 1975 | Class A |
| School | Year | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Racine Case | 1979 | Class A |
| School | Year | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Kenosha Tremper | 1979 | Division 1 |
Winter Sports
None
Spring Sports
| School | Year | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Racine Park | 1973 | Single Division |
| School | Year | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Racine Park | 1974 | Class A |
| School | Year | Division |
|---|---|---|
| Racine Park | 1978 | Class A |
References
- "Anderson Scores 52; Park Second (includes final Big Eight boys basketball standings for 1969-70 season)". Janesville Weekly Gazette. 21 February 1970. p. 30. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- Trower, Ralph (6 July 1969). "W.I.A.A. Issues Second Map; Awaits Next Reactions, Moves". The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin. p. 29. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- Trower, Ralph (11 January 1970). "Amid 60's Changes Sports Stand Tall". The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin. p. 50. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- Fensin, Lee (3 February 1975). "Suburban Seeks Realignment Encouragement Tuesday". Waukesha Daily Freeman. p. 11. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- Fensin, Lee (9 May 1975). "Realignment Picture Looks Brighter; Softball Popularity Still Growing". Waukesha Daily Freeman. p. 12. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- Fensin, Lee (21 February 1975). "Area Leagues May Sit Tight on Realignment". Waukesha Daily Freeman. p. 14. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- UPI (30 April 1977). "New League Good for Area Schools". Waukesha Daily Freeman. p. 10. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- "Rymer Resigns, Rips Administration in Falls". Waukesha Daily Freeman. 3 June 1977. p. 13. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- "1981 Spy". 1981 Bradford High School Yearbook, page 70 (see "Girls Volleyball" entry). 1981. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
- "Classic '81". 1981 Tremper High School Yearbook, page 245 ("Realignment Increases Press"). 1981. Retrieved 24 October 2024.