After what will be a two-year absence of playing football in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference, the WIAA Board of Control on Wednesday approved a remanded conference realignment plan which returns
The Raiders to the conference in 2026.
Athletic Director Brian Gallagher tells Seehafernews.com, “We were unsuccessful in our appeal a couple of years ago, but then we were able to go through all the steps again and with help from Head Coach (Kevin) Shillcox, we were able to put together a plan to return to the EWC.”
The Raiders are reunited with Roncalli, Valders, Kiel, Brillion, Chilton, and New Holstein.
The plan also reassigns Kohler/ Sheboygan Lutheran/ Christian to the Northeast conference for football only, with Denmark, Sheboygan Falls, Luxemburg-Casco, Wrightstown, Little Chute, and Freedom, including a mandatory crossover game with the Bay Conference.
Two Rivers was assigned to the Northeast Conference for football only in 2024, which Gallagher deemed not a proper fit.
He cited several reasons that included, but were not exclusive to, enrollment, demographics, participation numbers, and success.
“What really it comes down to is that as athletic directors, we need to make sure that the WIAA is transparent and consistent in how they rule and do things,” Gallagher noted. “We felt as if what they have done in the past did not separate us from moving to the NEC. We felt that in all their other explanations that for a lack of a better term that this one was overlooked.”
Gallagher emphasized that there may be more movement among schools for years to come.
“I think the reason that we are in constant conference realignment in football is declining participation,” he told SeehaferNews.com. “Teams are also co-oping now, meaning there’s one less school in a conference plus more schools are moving to eight-man football which effects 11-man football causing a “domino effect.”
He adds that there’s also more choices for kids in school today, compared to not only ten, but even just five years ago.
In some cases, families need their kids to work to help pay the bills so athletics and other extracurriculars take a “back seat.”
We asked Gallagher if there would come a day when Two Rivers would have to co-op to sustain their program.
“In my opinion, that would be, probably, the absolute last step to anything,” he said. “We take a lot of pride in football here. The coaches do a great job, and we have a rich tradition here. We take a lot of pride in that.”
Two Rivers will play football in the Northeast Conference this fall, but with this action by the WIAA on Wednesday, Two Rivers will return to The EWC for all sports in the 2026-2027 school year.
