Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is the governing body of athletics and activities for secondary education schools in the state of Washington. As of February 2011, the private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization consists of nearly 800 member high schools and middle/junior high schools, both public and private.[1]

This article is about the governing body of high school sports in Washington. For the similar body in Wisconsin, see Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
AbbreviationWIAA
Formation1905, 115 years ago
TypeVolunteer; NPO
Legal statusAssociation
PurposeAthletic/Educational
Headquarters435 Main Avenue South
Renton, WA 98057
Coordinates47.477°N 122.205°W / 47.477; -122.205
Region served
Washington
Official language
English
Executive Director
Mike Colbrese
AffiliationsNational Federation of State High School Associations
Staff
15
Websitewiaa.com
Remarks(425) 687-8585

Purpose

Founded in 1905 to "create equitable playing conditions"[1] between member teams, the WIAA plans and supervises interscholastic sports and activities approved and delegated by the various school district boards of directors. The organization emphasizes the importance of interscholastic sports and activities in the "total educational process"[1] while recognizing that education is the primary responsibility of its member schools.

The WIAA creates and governs rules to establish uniformity of standards in sports and activities; to protect the safety and health of students; to shield students from exploitation by special interest groups; to provide fair and equal opportunities to all students participating; and to encourage good sportsmanship. A stated goal of the organization is to promote diversity of its membership at all levels.[1]

The organization also provides member schools an open channel of communication with other members to organize any events and activities, as well as to resolve any issues. In addition, the WIAA recognizes achievement and excellence of member teams and individuals participating in sports and activities.

Funding

Primary funding for the WIAA is through ticket sales for state championships and other events.[1] Additional funds are secured through corporate sponsorships, memberships fees, and small percentages of the sales of merchandise related to the organization and its member schools. As a private organization, the WIAA does not receive funding via tax dollars and is not financially supported by the State of Washington.

WIAA-sanctioned sports & activities

The WIAA oversees athletics and fine arts in Washington state. As of February 2011, the organization hosts 83 state championships[1] for the following sports and activities:

Athletics

Other activities

Classification

Classification is based on student body enrollment in grades 9–11 and used by the WIAA to maintain fair and equal competition between its member high schools. The organization places member schools into one of six tiered classifications based on enrollment ranges: 1B, 2B, 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A. The enrollment ranges are evaluated by the WIAA Executive Board biennially and finalized for a two-year period. Enrollments of single-gender schools are doubled for classification purposes.[2]

Current classifications for years 2016 through 2020, as approved by the WIAA Executive Board on January 25, 2016,[3] were:

ClassificationEnrollment
(gr. 9–11)		Average per
class year		Member
schools		Opted
-up
4A1343.29+447 +6422
3A  971.72-1343.28  323–4476613
2A461.25–971.71153–323651
1A214.5–461.2471–153658
2B83-214.4928–71404
1B26–82.998–2864–
Total38448

Opt-up

Member schools are given the option to move to a higher classification to compete against larger schools. The WIAA gives members two opportunities to "opt-up" for higher classification: 1) prior to the enrollment count that will inform the enrollment ranges for classification when evaluated and finalized by the Executive Board; and 2) a two-week period after the classification enrollment ranges have been finalized.[4]

Schools that opt-up during the first opportunity are divided into equal classifications after the classification enrollment ranges have been finalized. Schools that elect to opt-up during the second opportunity must be approved by the board of their governing District and the WIAA Executive Board.[4]

For the years 2010 through 2012, 9 schools opted up to 2B classification; 5 to 1A, 1 to 2A, 24 to 3A, and 4 schools opted up to 4A classification. In the past schools have opted up in order to prevent leagues from dissolving, as the Eastside Prep Eagles did in the 2012-2013 season, opting up from 1B to the 1A Emerald City, now playing schools with over double their enrollment.[5]

Historic classifications
Years4A3A2A1A2B1B
2006–present4A3A2A1A2B1B
1998–20064A3A2A1AB
1969–1997AAAAAAB
1958–1968AAAB
1945–1957AB
1944–1945single classification
1942–1943AB
1934–1941single classification
1931–1933AB
1923–1930single classification

source[6]

League alignments

The WIAA is divided into nine districts that represent approximate geographical areas.[7] Each district is presided over by a District Director. Member schools are aligned into geographical conferences or leagues for competition. District membership is determined by these conferences and leagues with the exception of two. The Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference and Central Washington Athletic Conference have member schools in two districts.[7] Conference and League alignment is determined annually. The following are league alignments as of 2016-2017 school year and are subject to revision to adjust for the 2016-2020 reclassification.

Northwest District One

The Northwest Interscholastic Activities Association[8] governs WIAA District 1,[7] which encompasses the five counties in the northwest section of Washington State: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan, and Island. As of February 2011, Northwest District 1 includes seven leagues with member schools from all classifications and a single independent member school.[9] The Western High School Athletic Conference regulates two 4A classification leagues and one 3A classification league. Its membership consists of high schools in the public school districts of Arlington, Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Shoreline, Snohomish, and Stanwood.[10] The North Sound Conference regulates member schools residing in the 1A classification. Its membership consists of high schools in Snohomish, Island and north King counties, in and near Everett.[11] The Northwest Conference regulates member schools in 3A, 2A and 1A classifications. Its membership consists of high schools in western Whatcom, Skagit and counties, in and near Bellingham and Mount Vernon.[12] The Northwest 2B/1B League regulates member schools in 2B and 1B classifications. Its membership consists of high schools in San Juan, Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties. The Northwest B League regulates member schools in 1B classification. Its membership consists of small public and private high schools in San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.[13]

Northwest District One league alignments

WesCo 4A

WesCo 2A/3A

North Sound Conference (1A)

  • Cedar Park Christian Eagles (1A)
  • Granite Falls Tigers (1A)
  • King's Knights (1A)
  • Coupeville Wolves (1A)
  • South Whidbey Falcons (1A)
  • Sultan Turks (1A)

Northwest Conference (1A/2A/3A)

Northwest 1B/2B League (1B/2B)

Northwest 1B League

SeaKing District Two

The SeaKing District encompasses mostly schools in King County. The schools are in all classification sizes and separated into five leagues by size and location. A majority of the state's 3A schools are located in this district and the West Central District 3. The Center School, International Community School, International School, and Secondary BOC are independents in this District.

SeaKing District Two member schools

KingCo 4A

KingCo 3A/2A

Metro (3A)

Emerald City (1A)

SeaTac (1B/2B)

Independent

West Central District Three

The WCD encompasses schools in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, Thurston, and King counties of the northern Peninsula and southern Puget Sound areas of Washington. The district has the most 4A and 3A schools combined in the state, with 26 and 16 respectively. It includes schools from all classification sizes, although most of the 2B schools in the region are members SeaTac league of SeaKing District two.

West Central District Three league alignments

North Puget Sound 4A Olympic

Cascade

South Puget Sound 4A

South Sound Conference 3A

Pierce County 3A

South Puget Sound 2A (Division 1)

South Puget Sound 2A (Division 2)

Olympic 1A/2A

Nisqually 1A

North Olympic 1B

  • Chief Kitsap Academy Bears
  • Clallam Bay Bruins
  • Crescent Loggers
  • Neah Bay Red Devils

Southwest Washington District Four

The Southwest District, as its name suggests, includes schools south of the Olympic Mountains and west of the Cascade Range. The Washington School for the Blind (1B), Three Rivers Christian (1B), King's Way Christian (1B), Maple Lane High School (1A), and Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (1A) are independents.[14]

Southwest Washington District Four league alignments

Greater St. Helens 4A

Greater St. Helens 3A

Greater St. Helens 2A

Evergreen 2A

Evergreen 1A

  • Elma Eagles
  • Forks Spartans
  • Hoquiam Grizzlies
  • Montesano Bulldogs
  • Tenino Beavers

Trico 1A

Pacific 2B

Central 2B

  • Adna Pirates
  • Kalama Chinooks
  • Morton-White Pass Timberwolves
  • Mossyrock Vikings
  • Napavine Tigers
  • Onalaska Loggers
  • Pe Ell Trojans
  • Rainier Mountaineers
  • Toledo Indians
  • Toutle Lake Ducks
  • Wahkiakum Mules
  • Winlock Cardinals

Columbia Valley 1B

Coastal 1B

  • Lake Quinault Elks
  • Mary M. Knight Owls
  • North River Mustangs
  • Oakville Acorns
  • Taholah Chitwin
  • Wishkah Valley Loggers

Yakima Valley District Five

The Yakima Valley District includes schools in south central Washington. The schools are divided into five leagues.

Yakima Valley District Five league alignments

CWAC 2A

SCAC West 1A

SCAC East 1A

EWAC 2B 2B

Greater Columbia Gorge 1B

  • Bickelton Pirates
  • Glenwood/Trout Lake Mustangs
  • Klickitat Vandals
  • Sunnyside Christian Knights (Southeast 1B for football only)
  • Trout Lake Mustangs
  • Yakima Tribal School Eagles

North Central District Six
North Central District Six league alignments

Columbia Basin Big-9 4A

Caribou Trail 1A

Central Washington 2B

  • Brewster Bears
  • Bridgeport Mustangs
  • Lake Roosevelt Raiders
  • Liberty Bell Mountain Lions
  • Manson Trojans
  • Oroville Hornets
  • Soap Lake Eagles
  • Tonasket Tigers
  • Waterville Shockers

Central Washington 1B

  • Cascade Christian Academy Wolverines
  • Easton Jaguars
  • Entiat Tigers
  • Mansfield Kernels
  • Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions
  • Pateros Billygoats
  • Riverside Christian Crusaders (District 5)
  • Wilson Creek Devils

Northeast District Seven
Northeast District Seven league alignments

Great Northern 2A

Northeast 1A

Bi-County 2B

  • Asotin Panthers
  • Colfax Bulldogs
  • Chewelah Cougars
  • Davenport Gorillas
  • Kettle Falls Bulldogs
  • Liberty Lancers
  • Lind/Ritzville Broncos
  • Mary Walker Chargers
  • Northwest Christian Crusaders
  • Reardan Indians
  • St. George's Dragons
  • Tekoa-Rosalia Timberwolves
  • Wilbur-Creston Wildcats

Bi County 1B

  • ACH Warriors
  • Columbia Lions
  • Curlew Cougars
  • Cusick Panthers
  • Inchelium Hornets
  • Northport Mustangs
  • Odessa-Harrington Titans
  • Republic Tigers
  • Selkirk Rangers
  • Valley Christian Panthers
  • Washtucna Tigercats
  • Wellpinit Redskins

Greater Spokane District Eight

The Greater Spokane League was formed in 1925 as the Spokane City League and became the GSL in 1976.[15] District 8 was created to separate the larger schools (then AAA) from the smaller schools in District 7. Schools that drop to 2A therefore leave the GSL and District 8, to the Great Northern League in District 7. Consequently, schools have gone through great lengths to remain in the league and maintain historic rivalries. Gonzaga Prep opts-up to 4A, despite having 2A enrollment numbers. In 2014, the GSL separated the league into 4A and 3A to create space for more crossover games with other leagues. University H.S. also moved up to 4A [16]

Greater Spokane District Eight league alignments

Mid-Columbia 4A

Mid-Columbia 3A

Greater Spokane 3A/4A

Southeast District Nine
Southeast District Nine league alignment

Southeast 1B

  • Colton Wildcats
  • Garfield-Palouse Vikings
  • Oakesdale Nighthawks
  • Pomeroy Pirates
  • Prescott Tigers
  • St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse Eagles
  • Touchet Indians

Neighboring states (and province)

References
  1. WIAA.com: Mission & Purpose
  2. "4.0.0 Classification of schools" (PDF). WIAA Handbook. 2012–2013. p. 5. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  3. "Classifications 2016-20". WIAA. January 25, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  4. WIAA.com: WIAA Classification Opt-Up Second Opportunity Form
  5. "Classifications 2010-12". WIAA. January 24, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  6. "Classifications then and now". WIAA. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  7. WIAA.com: WIAA Districts & Leagues
  8. Northwest District 1 website (nwdist1.com)
  9. Northwest Interscholastic Activities Association (Northwest District 1) Handbook 2010-2011
  10. Western Conference Guidelines 2010-2011
  11. Cascade Conference Handbook 2010-2011
  12. Northwest Conference Handbook 2010-2011
  13. Northwest B League Constitution
  14. http://www.digitalsports.com/organization/id/1415841.aspx
  15. "The League of Champions - League Info - League History". Greater Spokane League. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  16. Ralley, Dan (Jan 6 1997) Reclassification Sets Off Scramble in State High SchoolsSeattle PI. Retrieved 15 Mar 2010
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