The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Girls State Basketball Tournament in Wisconsin, recognizing five decades of opportunity and achievement for student athletes across the state.
“Reaching the 50th anniversary of this State Tournament is more than just a celebration of the game,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “It honors every person who paved the way for the female athletes who will be playing at the Resch Center in March.”
The ongoing celebration will continue through the Girls State Basketball Tournament scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, March 12-14 at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Among the programs and activities planned include the “Future Champions Team Experience” with group promotions and fan engagement for youth teams attending the State Tournament.
Other celebration plans will feature team-exclusive Tournament Series shooting shirts for all schools; a social media campaign highlighting the history of the tournament and individuals who have made an impact; in-game, commemorative t-shirt tosses; in-person recognition of prominent athletes, coaches and officials of past tournaments; giveaways for former girls basketball participants, and individual state-qualifier gifts sponsored by Discover Green Bay.
Key moments in Wisconsin girls basketball
1963-64: WIAA Girls Sports Advisory Committee formed to study and create rules for girls sports.
January 1968: WIAA Board of Control approves recommendations allowing girls sports to encourage attendance, permit cheering, gain publicity, and charge admission.
June 1971: Karen Kuhn hired as WIAA girls sports coordinator, becoming the first woman on the WIAA executive staff.
Nov. 3, 1975: First day of the 1975-76 girls basketball season, the first school year of the WIAA Girls Basketball State Tournament.
March 4-6, 1976: First WIAA Girls Basketball State Tournament held at the UW Field House in Madison; attendance 19,447.
2013: State tournament moves to its current home at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
2020: State tournament canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
March 2026: The WIAA will crown the 200th girls basketball state champion at the 50th State Tournament.
As part of the anniversary, the WIAA and Discover Green Bay unveiled a public exhibit honoring the 50-year history of the WIAA Girls Basketball State Tournament at the Discover Green Bay Visitor Center, at 1945 Argonne St. The exhibit includes curated historical stories, visual displays, and artifacts — including the 2026 Division 1 championship trophy — for visitors to view.
“The incredible historical display is a tribute to five decades of courage, persistence, athleticism, and the pursuit of excellence for our female athletes,” Hauser said. “The WIAA staff is grateful for the commitment that Discover Green Bay has made to this milestone tournament, and we invite all to join us in celebrating this commemorative event.”
The WIAA Girls Basketball State Tournament Series will begin with Regionals on February 24. In the 2025-26 season, approximately 8,700 girls on 484 teams are playing basketball statewide.
Digital Tickets for the Girls State Basketball Tournament are available online through TicketStar.