MONROE — Coming on the heals of Monroe High School debating the future of competing in the winter sports season in the coming months, the Badger Conference announced Oct. 16 that the league would not sponsor any 2020-21 winter seasons.

“Since all member schools are not able to participate fully in conference contests during the upcoming winter season dates as scheduled, Badger Conference competitions will not be held and conference champions will not be named,” the league wrote in a statement.

The 16 schools in the league are scattered over seven different counties, each with their own guidelines on gatherings and contact competitions. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly posed challenges for planning events of all types throughout our nation, state and local communities,” the league wrote. “The goal of the Badger Conference, first and foremost, continues to be the health and safety of our school district communities. Regardless of the type of event, health and safety must come first.”

Teams are free to play their own schedules of events against whatever available opponents they choose. There will not be a conference champion this winter, nor all-conference teams.

“All schools will be supported in their local decisions and may have the option to schedule nonconference competitions in winter sports, so long as they follow the guidance of the WIAA and local public health officials,” the statement read.

Winter sports include boys and girls basketball and hockey, wrestling, and gymnastics. Monroe’s administration has proposed delaying the start of its winter schedule by more than a month, which would begin practices in late December and holding competitions beginning in January through February.