D3 Conference History & Recruiting
Dating back to 1913, the WIAC is one of the nation’s oldest D3 conferences, featuring eight programs, all located in the Badger State. Through the 2025-26 academic year, WIAC members have won 138 NCAA Division III national championships, including titles in football, basketball, baseball, and softball. The conference also sponsors men’s and women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse as championship sports.
UW-Eau Claire (Eau Claire, Wis.)
UW-La Crosse (La Crosse, Wis.)
UW-Oshkosh (Oshkosh, Wis.)
UW-Platteville (Platteville, Wis.)
UW-River Falls (River Falls, Wis.)
UW-Stevens Point (Stevens Point, Wis.)
UW-Stout (Menomonie, Wis.)
UW-Whitewater (Whitewater, Wis.)
For families, WIAC recruiting is about finding the right combination of academic and athletic fit. The eight schools are public universities, with financial aid varying by institution. Some offer programs for out-of-state families, including UW-La Crosse’s competitive Midwest Tuition Rate for qualifying freshmen from Illinois and other Midwestern states. Coaches recruit to specific roster needs, so prospective student-athletes should consider the program’s coaching staff, role opportunities, and campus environment alongside academics.
The eight campuses span Wisconsin, making conference travel largely regional, though non-conference schedules can take teams farther from home. These D3 student-athletes have described balancing competition with rigorous majors, campus involvement, and career preparation.
The conference also recognizes academic achievement, with student-athletes at all eight schools eligible for induction into the National College Athlete Honor Society upon reaching junior standing with a cumulative 3.50 GPA or higher.
WIAC programs have combined for nine D3 football national titles. UW-Whitewater has won six, UW-La Crosse two, and UW-River Falls one. The Falcons’ 2025 WIAC football championship was their first since 1998 and was followed by the program’s first NCAA Division III national championship.
Men’s and women’s soccer bolster the conference’s historic excellence. UW-Eau Claire won consecutive WIAC men’s tournament titles (2024-25), while the UW-La Crosse women’s team won a fourth straight league championship in 2025.
There’s also been longstanding success on the court and the diamond, including UW-Oshkosh’s undefeated D3 women’s basketball championship campaign in 1996, UW-Whitewater’s trio of baseball titles (2005, 2014, 2025), and UW-Eau Claire’s softball title in 2008.
Women’s lacrosse is one of the WIAC’s newer championship sports, with the conference’s inaugural season coming in spring 2024. Beginning in 2026, the conference tournament champion secures an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. Men’s lacrosse isn’t WIAC-sponsored, but member schools such as UW-Eau Claire and UW-Whitewater have men’s lacrosse club programs.
Emily Gregerson (Soccer, UW-Eau Claire, ‘99)
A three-time All-Conference midfielder, Gregerson finished with 48 goals, 27 assists, and 123 points before building a career at 3M.
Vinny Rottino (Baseball, UW-La Crosse, ‘02)
The 2002 WIAC Position Player of the Year and ABCA First Team All-American hit .410 with 15 home runs before reaching MLB with the Milwaukee Brewers and spending 14 years in professional baseball.
Quinn Meinerz (Football, UW-Whitewater, ‘20)
Meinerz became the highest NFL draft pick in UW-Whitewater history when the Denver Broncos selected him 98th overall in 2021. A consensus All-American, he helped the Warhawks win the 2019 WIAC title and reach the Division III championship game.
Holly Eckers (Hockey & Lacrosse, UW-River Falls, ‘24)
A four-year dual-sport athlete, Eckers was part of UW-River Falls’ 2024 D3 hockey national championship team and earned honorable mention All-WIAC in lacrosse.
