WIAA to host first state lacrosse tournament at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium

STEVENS POINT - The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association's board of control voted to support a three-year agreement Friday with the Sun Prairie School District to host the state boys and girls lacrosse tournaments at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium at Ashley Field according to a WIAA press release.

“We’re looking forward to our inaugural state championships at Sun Prairie Stadium at Ashley Field next spring. We appreciate Sun Prairie School District’s willingness to serve as host of this event,” WIAA executive director Stephanie Hauser said in the release. “Destination Madison and the Madison Area Sports Commission has consistently welcomed our staff, teams and communities to the Madison area for championship events.”

The approval of the Sun Prairie venue coincided with a separate vote at the December board of control meeting to establish an ad-hoc committee to review season lengths, game maximums and coaching contact for the upcoming lacrosse seasons. The inaugural WIAA-sanctioned boys and girls state lacrosse tournaments will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Lacrosse was first approved to join the list of WIAA-sanctioned spring sports in a December 2022 WIAA board of control vote, with boys and girls seasons to begin in spring 2024.

Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium at Ashley Field opened in 2021, and has a capacity of 4,100 spectators. Amenities include: two concession stands, four ticket windows, three full-sized locker rooms, an officials’ locker room, an athletic training room and nine booths in the press box.

“We are excited that the Sun Prairie community has been selected as the host for this event,” Sun Prairie city-wide athletic director Eric Nee said. “Designed with a commitment to community engagement, our facility will showcase the athletes and events and also stimulate local commerce at restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments.”

The Madison area now plays host to 16 WIAA state tournament events, including: boys basketball, 11-player football, boys and girls golf, boys and girls hockey, softball, boys and girls individual and team tennis as well as boys and girls individual and team wrestling.

"Going to a WIAA championship in the state capitol is a dream for many young Wisconsin athletes. Fifteen other State Championships have experienced this incredible opportunity in the Madison area, and we are excited for the history-making lacrosse players to join in this legacy as they embark on the first WIAA state championship,” said Jamie Patrick, Vice President of Sales, Sports and Services for Destination Madison and the Madison Area Sports Commission. “We know our local community will offer great support and hospitality to the WIAA and competing teams that come to Sun Prairie next year to play for the state championship.”

In separate WIAA board of control actions Friday:

• Milwaukee School of Excellence was approved for a football-only conference realignment fast-track recommendation that removes them from the Capitol Conference, effective next fall.
• A 2022-2023 independent audit report provided by Hawkins/Ash CPAs was approved, as well as the conventional general fund and deferred liability fund monthly reports