Madison Girls Hockey Not On Thin Ice Anymore

Message from Mitch Wolfe, parent organizer for the program:
The WIAA Board of Controls approved a 7 school co-op which includes all four Madison city schools, Middleton, Waunakee, and Monona Grove for the upcoming 2005-6 season.


Retiring Memorial Athletic Director, Gary Kolpin attended the meeting in Green Lake and presented important background information to the WIAA. Stipulations included that the co-op arrangement would be evaluated after the first year and that no additional girls could be added to the roster after the first game played, which will be 6:30 pm Friday, November 18, 2005 @MIA vs. Superior High School. We are disappointed that the Board of Controls did not allow inclusion of all 10 interested schools for this season. We understand their concern about creating a “powerhouse.” The WAHA census data suggests that all current hockey players (not playing for the Capitols) at the 10 schools would all be able to participate and still have less than 20 skaters total.
The time is ripe for the other three schools (Verona, Edgewood, and Oregon) to be part of co-ops for the following 2006-7 season. We have already begun discussions to facilitate the development of Dane County team #2. We are very optimistic that girls from these three schools and the additional five Dane County high schools that currently offer boy’s hockey (McFarland, Stoughton, Deforest-Poynette, and Sun Prairie) will have a WIAA opportunity within the next 1-2 years. It will require parental interest and effort at every single high school. Please contact your athletic director and volunteer to organize your parents at your individual school. It can happen.
Once again, a huge thanks to Gary Kolpin, Art Rainwater, Johnny Winston Jr. and the entire Madison BOE, and many others who have supported and encouraged this historic process. There is still much to be done and everyone will need to pitch in.
Please pass the word to all other interested girls and report interest to either Marty Cleveland, Deb Lloyd, Kent Klagos or myself.
Reminder: July 11-14, from 3:30-5:00 Capitol with Troy Ward will be a camp for high school girls at the entire 10 schools. The WIAA permits 5 days of team practice prior to August 1. This should be an excellent opportunity to gain skills, have fun, and meet your teammates.
There will be more to come in the next several days. We are compiling a list of all girls from the 7 high schools and will make that available soon.
Mitch
*Just a friendly reminder that this program is supported by a benefactor and not taxpayer funds. – Johnny Winston, Jr.