WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The WIAA has voted to sanction high school lacrosse for boys and girls beginning in the 2023-’24 academic year.
Wausau Wolfpack Lacrosse Coach Travis Brown was part of the group that worked to get the sanctioning. He says this will help them grow the sport to new areas of the state. “[Lacrosse] has been very strong to the south and the east. Our growth now is wanting to go towards the west and certainly [areas like] Eau Claire,” said Brown. “Hopefully with this sanctioning they will feel more comfortable offering this sport to their student-athletes.”
Brown says since the Wausau Wolfpack began to play in 2005 the sport has seen steady growth in Central Wisconsin including the addition of Wolfpack youth programs. He sees that upward trajectory continuing under the WIAA banner. “It certainly solves some of our challenges in the Spring including financial challenges. Possibly being able to lower our user fees and booster club fees to promote more athletes to come out for our sport.”
Brown says the move required a lot of communication with the WIAA Board of Control over things like season structure, class sizes, state tournament formats, and managing co-op programs. The Wolfpack will play one more season under the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation banner before the WIAA takes over in time for the Spring 2024 season and the first sanction state tournament. Though at this point it’s unclear if the trophy will feature the signature ‘Golden Ball’ that’s seen on other WIAA trophies.
“I’m not part of those conversations, but it will certainly have the big Wisconsin and WIAA logo on it. Whether it’s a lacrosse [stick] or a golden ball, I think we’re just happy to be at this point moving forward,” added Brown.
