WIAA reduces 2-year ban, Bay View and Pulaski now eligible for 2025 playoffs

By: Andie Bernhardt Facebook | X

Posted: Dec 6, 2024 3:05 PM CST | Updated: Dec 6, 2024 10:40 PM CST

NOW: WIAA reduces 2-year ban, Bay View and Pulaski now eligible for 2025 playoffs

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Big news on the gridiron for two Milwaukee high school football programs after a controversial punishment was overturned.
In a 7-3 vote, the WIAA Board of Control decided to reduce the two-year ban on post season eligibility for both Pulaski and Bay View High School's football programs.

This all stems from an error made by Milwaukee Public Schools, after they failed to submit paperwork to the WIAA.

"Rules are rules and when they are broken there's consequences," said Lynn Greb, the director of recreations with Milwaukee Public Schools.

After a season of hard work on the field, Bay View and Pulaski High Schools were banned from the playoffs for two years and forced to forfeit all games from the 2024 season.

This decision caused heartbreak for players, parents and coaches.

"When this did happen, it was a big blow to our two football programs," said Greb.
The controversial ruling was made by the WIAA after Milwaukee Public Schools failed to report conference changes for both high school teams.

"We understand and recognize a mistake was made," said Greb. "We understand there is consequences but asking that for the fact that we did serve a suspension for this year."

MPS appealed the ruling, asking for reduced suspension and won the appeal. Now student-athletes are allowed to compete in post season play next season.

"The students were ecstatic, screaming running around," said Greb. "Just elated that this part is over now, and they can continue on either with their winter sport, spring sport, but then definitely be ready for the fall and football season."

As for making sure an issue like this doesn’t happen again, MPS says they will have more than one person reviewing the process and won't be leaving deadlines to the last minute.

"We have more eyes looking at the requirements so that there's checks and balances in place and doesn’t come down to one person being responsible for submitting a particular paperwork item," said Greb.