Fox Valley Catholic Conference

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The Fox Valley Catholic Conference is a former high school athletic conference in northeastern Wisconsin. Founded in 1929, it was composed entirely of Catholic high schools and was succeeded by the Fox Valley Christian Conference in 1971. The conference and its member schools were affiliated with the Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association from 1957 to 1968, and the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association from 1968 to 1971.

History

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1929–1942

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St. Peter's
St. Norbert
St. Mary Catholic
St. Mary
St. John
Our Lady of Lourdes
Cathedral
Location of Original Fox Valley Catholic Conference Members

The Fox Valley Catholic Conference was formed in 1929 by seven parochial high schools within the Diocese of Green Bay: Cathedral in Green Bay, Our Lady of Lourdes in Marinette, St. John in Little Chute, St. Mary in Oshkosh, St. Mary Catholic in Neenah, St. Norbert in De Pere and St. Peter's in Oshkosh.[1] Cathedral spent two seasons in the conference before leaving in 1931 to compete as an independent.[2][3] St. Joseph of Marinette joined in 1932,[4] but they only lasted one season in the conference before leaving.[5] St. Mary left the Fox Valley Catholic Conference in 1935,[6] but returned two years later, offsetting the loss of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1937.[7] St. Joseph Indian School on the Menominee Indian reservation in Keshena joined the conference in 1939,[8] and Our Lady of Lourdes and newcomers St. Mary's Springs joined the Fox Valley Catholic Conference in 1940.[9] St. Mary's Springs was the only conference member not in the Green Bay diocese, as Fond du Lac County was part of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Green Bay Central Catholic joined the conference after opening in 1941,[10] the same year that the two Catholic high schools in Oshkosh (St. Mary and St. Peter's) closed their doors.[11][12]

1942–1961

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In 1942, the Fox Valley Catholic Conference lost three additional members: Our Lady of Lourdes (for the second time), St. Joseph Indian and St. Mary's Springs.[13] The conference continued with four active members for the next two years before Our Lady of Lourdes rejoined in 1944.[14] St. Mary's Springs made their return in 1948, bringing membership back up to six schools.[15] During the 1950s, several Fox Valley Catholic Conference schools went through name changes. Green Bay Central Catholic renamed itself Our Lady of Premontre when it was relocated from downtown to the west side of Green Bay in 1955,[16] and two schools changed their names in 1959. Our Lady of Lourdes became Marinette Central Catholic when the city's Catholic schools were consolidated,[17] and St. Norbert was changed to Abbot Pennings when it was moved into the old Nicolet High School building in De Pere.[18]

1961–1971

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Xavier
St. Mary's Springs
St. Mary Catholic
St. John
Roncalli
Our Lady of Premontre
Marinette Central Catholic
Lourdes Academy
Abbot Pennings
Location of Final Fox Valley Catholic Conference Members

In 1961, membership in the Fox Valley Catholic Conference increased to eight schools with the addition of Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh and Xavier in Appleton.[19] Roncalli High School in Manitowoc became the conference's ninth member in 1968 after a one-year stint in the WIAA's Kettle Moraine Conference.[20] The conference continued with this lineup until it was ended in 1971, when the first non-Catholic member was accepted into the group (Fox Valley Lutheran in Appleton) and the new conference christened itself the Fox Valley Christian Conference in recognition.[21]

Conference membership history

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Final members

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School Location Affiliation Enrollment Mascot Colors Joined Left Conference Joined Current Conference
Abbot Pennings De Pere, WI Private (Catholic, Norbertine) N/A

(Boys only)

Squires     1929[1] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Closed in 1990 (merged into Notre Dame Academy)
Lourdes Academy Oshkosh, WI Private (Catholic) 178 Knights     1961[19] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Trailways
Marinette Central Catholic Marinette, WI Private (Catholic) 38 Cavaliers     1929,[1] 1940,[9] 1944[14] 1937,[7] 1942,[13] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Marinette & Oconto
Our Lady of Premontre Green Bay, WI Private (Catholic) N/A

(Boys only)

Cadets     1955[16] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Closed in 1990 (merged into Notre Dame Academy)
St. John Little Chute, WI Private (Catholic) N/A Flying Dutchmen     1929[1] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Closed in 1973
Roncalli Manitowoc, WI Private (Catholic) 223 Jets     1968[20] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Eastern Wisconsin
St. Mary Catholic Neenah, WI Private (Catholic) 277 Zephyrs       1929[1] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Big East
St. Mary's Springs Fond du Lac, WI Private (Catholic) 263 Ledgers     1940,[9] 1948[15] 1942,[13] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Wisconsin Flyway
Xavier Appleton, WI Private (Catholic) 468 Hawks     1961[19] 1971[21] Fox Valley Christian Bay

Previous members

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School Location Affiliation Enrollment Mascot Colors Joined Left Conference Joined Current Conference
Cathedral Green Bay, WI Private (Catholic) N/A Bluegolds     1929[1] 1931[2][3] Independent Closed in 1941
Green Bay Central Catholic Green Bay, WI Private (Catholic) N/A Cadets     1941[10] 1955[16] Relocated and changed name to Our Lady of Premontre
St. Joseph Marinette, WI Private (Catholic) N/A Unknown Unknown 1932[4] 1933[5] Independent Closed (date unknown)
St. Joseph Indian Kesīqnæh, WI Private (Catholic) N/A Indians     1939[8] 1942[13] Independent Closed in 1952
St. Mary Oshkosh, WI Private (Catholic) N/A Greyhounds     1929,[1] 1937[7] 1935,[6] 1941[11] Closed
St. Peter's Oshkosh, WI Private (Catholic) N/A Keymen     1929[1] 1941[12] Closed

Membership timeline

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Full members

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Football members

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List of state champions

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Fall sports

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Boys Cross Country
School Year Organization Division
Roncalli 1969[22] WISAA Class B
Roncalli 1970[23] WISAA Class B
Football
School Year Organization
Roncalli 1969[24] WISAA
Our Lady of Premontre 1970[25] WISAA

Winter sports

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Boys Basketball
School Year Organization
St. Norbert 1957[26] WCIAA
St. Mary Catholic 1960[27] WCIAA
Xavier 1963[28] WCIAA
Marinette Central Catholic 1964[29] WCIAA

Spring sports

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Boys Golf
School Year Organization
St. Mary's Springs 1959[30] WCIAA
Boys Tennis
School Year Organization
Xavier (co-champions) 1963[31] WCIAA
Boys Track & Field
School Year Organization Division
Our Lady of Premontre 1969[32] WISAA Class A
Lourdes Academy 1969[32] WISAA Class B
Roncalli 1970[33] WISAA Class B

List of conference champions

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Boys Basketball

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School Quantity Years
St. Mary Catholic 18 1934, 1935, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961
(St. Norbert)

Abbot Pennings

12 1930, 1936, 1937, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1961, 1970, 1971
Xavier 8 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
Green Bay Central Catholic 3 1949, 1950, 1953
St. John 2 1939, 1942
St. Peter's 2 1931, 1932
Lourdes Academy 1 1971
(Our Lady of Lourdes)

Marinette Catholic Central

1 1933
Our Lady of Premontre 1 1958
Green Bay Cathedral 0
Roncalli 0
St. Joseph 0
St. Joseph Indian 0
St. Mary 0
St. Mary's Springs 0

Football

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School Quantity Years
St. Mary Catholic 14 1931, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1968
St. John 12 1932, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1951, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1964, 1967
Xavier 7 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968
(St. Norbert)

Abbot Pennings

6 1935, 1936, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1956
Green Bay Central Catholic 5 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949
Our Lady of Premontre 2 1968, 1970
Roncalli 1 1969
St. Peter's 1 1930
Lourdes Academy 0
(Our Lady of Lourdes)

Marinette Catholic Central

0
St. Joseph Indian 0
St. Mary's Springs 0

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Catholic Valley Conference Formed for Athletic Games". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 7 December 1929. p. 13. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
  2. ^ a b "St. Norbert High and Oshkosh Meet Tonight". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 11 December 1931. p. 20. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Five Teams Begin Play Tuesday in St. Norbert MEet". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 29 February 1932. p. 11. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Outline Program of Basketball for Catholic Schools". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 22 October 1932. p. 11. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b "St. Mary's Cagers in DePere Tournament". Neenah Daily News-Times. 20 February 1934. p. 4. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  6. ^ a b "St. John and St. Mary's Quintets Clash Tonight". Appleton Post-Crescent. 10 December 1935. p. 14. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "Catholic Quints to Play at Home Tomorrow Night". Oshkosh Northwestern. 9 December 1937. p. 17. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  8. ^ a b "St. Peter's Meet Alumni Tonight". Oshkosh Northwestern. 17 November 1939. p. 19. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "St. Mary's Beat Keshena Quintet". Oshkosh Northwestern. 4 January 1941. p. 13. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Valley Catholic Loop Lays Plans for Cage Season". Appleton Post-Crescent. 13 November 1941. p. 19. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Plan Awards Day for Greyhounds". Oshkosh Northwestern. 9 April 1941. p. 17. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Award Emblems to Keymen Cage Squad at Dinner". Oshkosh Northwestern. 25 April 1941. p. 14. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d "Griesbach, Zephyr Forward Conference Scoring Champion". Appleton Post-Crescent. 26 February 1943. p. 12. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Central Invades Lourdes Court". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 23 January 1945. p. 11. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  15. ^ a b "St. Mary's Springs Signs a Coach". Menasha Record. 26 July 1948. p. 1. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  16. ^ a b c "Premontre is Name of New School". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 31 January 1955. p. 3. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  17. ^ "School Fund Drive Opens at Marinette". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 24 April 1958. p. 21. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  18. ^ Lee, John (18 June 1958). "City of De Pere Is Ideal Combination of Historic Charm, Modern Efficiency". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 23. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  19. ^ a b c Mancosky, George (20 September 1961). "Premontre Favored to Win Crown in Newly-Enlarged Ctholic Conference". Appleton Post-Crescent. pp. B14. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  20. ^ a b "St. Mary Menasha is 1st Roncalli Rival in FRVCC". Manitowoc Herald-Times-Reporter. 31 October 1967. p. 9. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "FVCC Athletic Chiefs Vote for Name Change". Appleton Post-Crescent. 16 March 1971. p. 19. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Angel Harriers Win". Racine Journal Times. 2 November 1969. p. 29. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  23. ^ "Roncalli Wins State CC Title". Manitowoc Herald-Times-Reporter. 2 November 1970. p. 21. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  24. ^ "Roncalli Beats McDonell For Title 28–8". La Crosse Tribune. 16 November 1969. p. 34. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  25. ^ "Premontre Cadets Wear WISAA Football Crown". Green Bay Press-Gazette. 15 November 1970. p. 32. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  26. ^ White, Bob (11 March 1957). "Squires Tip Pius in Last Seconds 50-47". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 17. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  27. ^ Mancosky, George (14 March 1960). "Zephyrs Upset St. Catherine '5'; Win State Catholic Championship". Appleton Post-Crescent. p. 28. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  28. ^ O'Hara, Dave (4 March 1963). "Xavier Dazzles Marquette To Win State Catholic Tourney". Oshkosh Northwestern. p. 15. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  29. ^ Hintz, Gene W. (2 March 1964). "Marty Crowe's Marinette Team Wins Catholic Title". Eau Claire Daily Telegram. p. 10. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  30. ^ Associated Press (8 May 1959). "St. Mary Springs Wins State Catholic Prep Golf Tourney". Appleton Post-Crescent. p. 15. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  31. ^ "Two Lancers score in tennis tourney". Kenosha News. 20 May 1963. p. 16. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  32. ^ a b United Press International (26 May 1969). "Bishop Leads Premontre To WISAA Track Title". Sheboygan Press. p. 26. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  33. ^ "Assumption shares 5th in state track meet; Ladick, Mrochek 1st". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. 25 May 1970. p. 13. Retrieved 17 April 2025.