WPIAL
The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL, pronounced /ˈwɪpiəl/) is an interscholastic athletic association in Western Pennsylvania. It is District 7 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (May 2009) |
Quick Facts Conference, Founded ...
 | |
| Conference | Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1907 |
| Commissioner | Amy Scheuneman, Executive Director[1] |
| Region | Western Pennsylvania |
| Official website | www |
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The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) was founded in 1907 by a group of educators from four public and private Pittsburgh schools who sought increased regulation and governance of student athletic eligibility and interscholastic athletic competition. The founding schools in the league included Shady Side Academy, Allegheny Prep, Pittsburgh Fifth Avenue High School, and Pittsburgh Central High School. William R. Crabbe of Shady Side Academy acted as a central force in the formation of the League and served as its first president.[2]
At its inception the league was poorly received by the public and the press, and found it difficult to enforce its rules. However, the league slowly spread throughout the Pittsburgh area. The league controlled the growth to small numbers that they could handle. As such, the only organization absorbed as a whole was the old Allegheny Valley League. Following the local success of WPIAL, the idea was brought to the whole state in 1914 when the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) was founded. Within PIAA, WPIAL has been designated as District 7, and since 1982, WPIAL/District 7. Although officially known as District 7, the WPIAL is grandfathered to keep the older name due to it predating the PIAA.[3]
Originally numbering three high schools, WPIAL had a high of 156 participating school as late as the 1981–82 school year. As of October 2012, there are 137 high schools and 148 junior high school members in the WPIAL.[3]
The league is responsible for administering the interscholastic athletic participation/competition of public school districts and private schools located in Allegheny (except Pittsburgh Public Schools), Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Lawrence, Washington, Westmoreland counties in Western Pennsylvania.
Exceptions as of the 2022-23 school year include:
- Slippery Rock Area School District and Moniteau School District in Butler County participate in District 10 and District 9 respectively.
- Wilmington Area School District in Lawrence and Mercer counties participates in District 10.
- Since 2012, four high schools from Pittsburgh Public Schools in Allegheny County, which makes up PIAA District 8, compete in the WPIAL for baseball, softball, soccer, swimming, tennis, golf, and cross country.
- Indiana Area School District, despite being located in Indiana County, which is part of District 6, competes in the WPIAL.
- Note: While some sports are dominated by one sex, there is no rule that mandates sex segregation in PIAA sports, even if a school has teams for each sex.
Fall: Football, Golf, Tennis (girls), Cross Country, Volleyball (girls), Field Hockey, Soccer
Winter: Rifle, Gymnastics, Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, Basketball
Spring: Lacrosse (girls), Tennis (boys), Softball, Baseball, Volleyball (boys), Track & Field
Football champions, 2016–present
- 2023
- Class AAAAAA (6A): North Allegheny
- Class AAAAA (5A): Peters Township
- Class AAAA (4A): Aliquippa
- Class AAA (3A): Belle Vernon
- Class AA (2A): Beaver Falls
- Class A (1A): Fort Cherry
- 2022
- Class AAAAAA (6A): North Allegheny
- Class AAAAA (5A): Pine-Richland
- Class AAAA (4A): Aliquippa
- Class AAA (3A): Belle Vernon
- Class AA (2A): Steel Valley
- Class A (1A): Union
- 2021
- Class AAAAAA (6A): Mount Lebanon
- Class AAAAA (5A): Penn-Trafford
- Class AAAA (4A): Aliquippa
- Class AAA (3A): Central Valley
- Class AA (2A): Serra Catholic
- Class A (1A): Bishop Canevin
- 2020
- Class AAAAAA (6A): Central Catholic
- Class AAAAA (5A): Pine-Richland
- Class AAAA (4A): Thomas Jefferson
- Class AAA (3A): Central Valley
- Class AA (2A): Beaver Falls
- Class A (1A): Jeannette
- 2019
- Class AAAAAA (6A): Central Catholic
- Class AAAAA (5A): Gateway
- Class AAAA (4A): Thomas Jefferson
- Class AAA (3A): Central Valley
- Class AA (2A): Avonworth
- Class A (1A): Clairton
- 2018
- Class AAAAAA (6A): Pine-Richland
- Class AAAAA (5A): Penn Hills
- Class AAAA (4A): South Fayette
- Class AAA (3A): Aliquippa
- Class AA (2A): Steel Valley
- Class A (1A): Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH)
- 2017
- Class AAAAAA (6A): Pine-Richland
- Class AAAAA (5A): Gateway
- Class AAAA (4A): Thomas Jefferson
- Class AAA (3A): Quaker Valley
- Class AA (2A): Washington
- Class A (1A): Jeannette
- 2016
- Class AAAAAA (6A): Central Catholic
- Class AAAAA (5A): West Allegheny
- Class AAAA (4A): Thomas Jefferson
- Class AAA (3A): Beaver Falls
- Class AA (2A): Steel Valley
- Class A (1A): Clairton
Boys' basketball champions, 2000–present
Class AAAAAA (6A):
- 2022: New Castle
- 2021: Upper St Clair
- 2020: Butler
- 2019: Mt. Lebanon
- 2018: Penn Hills
- 2017: Pine Richland
Class AAAAA (5A):
- 2021: New Castle
- 2020: Laurel Highlands
- 2019: Mars
- 2018: Mars
- 2017: Moon
Class AAAA (4A):
- 2021: Lincoln Park
- 2020: Highlands
- 2019: New Castle
- 2018: New Castle
- 2017: New Castle
- 2016: Pine-Richland
- 2015: Mt. Lebanon
- 2014: Mt. Lebanon
- 2013: New Castle
- 2012: Gateway
- 2011: Gateway
- 2010: Mt. Lebanon
- 2009: Peters Township
- 2008: Pittsburgh Central Catholic
- 2007: Bethel Park
- 2006: Mt. Lebanon
- 2005: Upper St. Clair
- 2004: Mt. Lebanon
- 2003: Penn Hills
- 2002: Uniontown
- 2001: Chartiers Valley
- 2000: Penn Hills
Class AAA (3A):
- 2021: Ellwood City
- 2020: North Catholic
- 2019: Lincoln Park
- 2018: Lincoln Park
- 2017: North Catholic
- 2016: Beaver Falls
- 2015: Indiana
- 2014: Central Valley
- 2013: Montour
- 2012: New Castle
- 2011: Montour
- 2010: Chartiers Valley
- 2009: Hampton Township
- 2008: Blackhawk
- 2007: West Allegheny
- 2006: Moon
- 2005: Moon
- 2004: Moon
- 2003: Blackhawk
- 2002: Steel Valley
- 2001: Brownsville
- 2000: Blackhawk
Class AA (2A):
- 2021 OLSH
- 2020 OLSH
- 2019 OLSH
- 2018 Sewickley Academy
- 2017: Sewickley Academy
- 2016: Aliquippa
- 2015: Aliquippa
- 2014: Seton-LaSalle
- 2013: Beaver Falls
- 2012: Beaver Falls
- 2011: Monessen
- 2010: North Catholic
- 2009: North Catholic
- 2008: Jeannette
- 2007: Aliquippa
- 2006: Aliquippa
- 2005: Beaver Falls
- 2004: Aliquippa
- 2003: Aliquippa
- 2002: Sto-Rox
- 2001: Sto-Rox
- 2000: Aliquippa
Class A (1A):
- 2021 Bishop Canevin
- 2020 Vincentian Academy
- 2019 Nazareth Prep
- 2018: Vincentian Academy
- 2017: Monessen
- 2016: North Catholic
- 2015: Monessen
- 2014: Lincoln Park
- 2013: Vincentian Academy
- 2012: Lincoln Park
- 2011: Vincentian Academy
- 2010: Sewickley Academy
- 2009: Sewickley Academy
- 2008: Serra Catholic
- 2007: Leechburg
- 2006: Clairton
- 2005: Duquesne
- 2004: Sewickley Academy
- 2003: Union Township
- 2002: Monessen
- 2001: Monessen
- 2000: Cornell
Girls' basketball championship games, 2001 - present[4]
More information Year, Class ...
| Year | Class | Winner | Defeated | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6A | Norwin | North Allegheny | 56 - 41 | Petersen Events Center |
| 5A | South Fayette | Armstrong | 70 - 63 | ||
| 4A | North Catholic | Blackhawk | 40 - 37 | ||
| 3A | Shady Side Academy | Avonworth | 52 - 45 | ||
| 2A | Greensburg Central Catholic | Serra Catholic | 62 - 41 | ||
| 1A | Union Area | St. Joseph | 50 - 43 | ||
| 2023 | 6A | North Allegheny | Upper St. Clair | 71 - 45 | Petersen Events Center |
| 5A | South Fayette | Oakland Catholic | 64 - 49 | ||
| 4A | North Catholic | Blackhawk | 51 - 35 | ||
| 3A | Avonworth | Laurel | 48 - 40 | ||
| 2A | Shenango | Freedom Area | 44 - 34 | ||
| 1A | Union Area | Aquinas Academy | 52 - 35 | ||
| 2022 | 6A | Mt. Lebanon | Upper St. Clair | 55 - 44 | Petersen Events Center |
| 5A | South Fayette | Chartiers Valley | 57 - 48 | ||
| 4A | Blackhawk | Knoch | 55 - 35 | ||
| 3A | North Catholic | Freedom Area | 48 - 43 | ||
| 2A | Neshannock | OLSH | 55 - 31 | ||
| 1A | Bishop Canevin | Aquinas Academy | 59 - 40 | ||
| 2021 | 6A | North Allegheny | Upper St. Clair | 70 - 36 | Peters Twp. High School |
| 5A | Chartiers Valley | Trinity | 62 - 40 | ||
| 4A | Beaver Area | Quaker Valley | 45 - 29 | ||
| 3A | Mohawk | North Catholic | 54 - 48 | North Allegheny High School | |
| 2A | Neshannock | Serra Catholic | 54 - 44 | ||
| 1A | Rochester | West Greene | 71 - 41 | Peters Twp. High School | |
| 2020 | 6A | North Allegheny | Bethel Park | 54 - 40 | Petersen Events Center |
| 5A | Chartiers Valley | Trinity | 58 - 40 | ||
| 4A | North Catholic | Southmoreland | 61 - 44 | ||
| 3A | Mohawk | Beaver Area | 44 - 26 | ||
| 2A | Bishop Canevin | Laurel | 50 - 41 | ||
| 1A | Rochester | West Greene | 59 - 43 | ||
| 2019 | 6A | Peters Township | North Allegheny | 43 - 40 | Petersen Events Center |
| 5A | Chartiers Valley | Thomas Jefferson | 50 - 44 | ||
| 4A | North Catholic | Central Valley | 75 - 57 | ||
| 3A | Neshannock | Shady Side Academy | 47 - 42 | ||
| 2A | OLSH | Brentwood | 50 - 48 | ||
| 1A | Rochester | West Greene | 62 - 56 | ||
| 2018 | 6A | North Allegheny | Peters Township | 79 - 48 | Petersen Events Center |
| 5A | Gateway | Oakland Catholic | 29 - 27 | ||
| 4A | North Catholic | Beaver Area | 50 - 49 | ||
| 3A | Bishop Canevin | East Allegheny | 56 - 52 | ||
| 2A | Vincentian Academy | Chartiers-Houston | 62 - 47 | ||
| 1A | Winchester Thurston | West Greene | 76 - 57 | ||
| 2017 | 6A | North Allegheny | Bethel Park | 50 - 39 | Petersen Events Center |
| 5A | Chartiers Valley | Oakland Catholic | 52 - 36 | ||
| 4A | North Catholic | Blackhawk | 65 - 36 | ||
| 3A | Bishop Canevin | Neshannock | 65 - 36 | ||
| 2A | Charties-Houston | Vincentian Academy | 47 - 35 | ||
| 1A | Winchester Thurston | Cornell | 52 - 41 | ||
| 2016 | 4A | Norwin | North Allegheny | 63 - 57 | Petersen Events Center |
| 3A | South Fayette | Trinity | 59 - 52 | ||
| 2A | Bishop Canevin | Greensburg C.C. | 53 - 33 | ||
| 1A | Vincentian Academy | North Catholic | 68 - 54 | ||
| 2015 | 4A | Norwin | Penn Hills | 54 - 34 | Petersen Events Center |
| 3A | Blackhawk | South Fayette | 65 - 54 | ||
| 2A | Seton LaSalle | Bishop Canevin | 51 - 35 | ||
| 1A | Vincentian Academy | North Catholic | 74 - 35 | ||
| 2014 | 4A | Penn-Trafford | Hempfield | 56 - 45 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | Blackhawk | South Park | 62 - 55 | ||
| 2A | Seton LaSalle | Burrell | 55 - 34 | ||
| 1A | Vincentian Academy | Serra Catholic | 66 - 46 | ||
| 2013 | 4A | Bethel Park | Chartiers Valley | 48 - 34 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | South Park | Elizabeth Forward | 50 - 32 | ||
| 2A | Bishop Canevin | Seton LaSalle | 56 - 47 | ||
| 1A | Vincentian Academy | Serra Catholic | 53 - 46 | ||
| 2012 | 4A | Mt. Lebanon | Oakland Catholic | 58 - 49 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | Hopewell | South Park | 50 - 34 | ||
| 2A | Seton LaSalle | Bishop Canevin | 73 - 60 | ||
| 1A | Vincentian Academy | North Catholic | 54 - 50 | ||
| 2011 | 4A | Shaler | Mt. Lebanon | 41 - 35 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | Blackhawk | Ambridge | 63 - 49 | ||
| 2A | Seton LaSalle | Jeanette | 74 - 29 | ||
| 1A | North Catholic | Fort Cherry | 49 - 43 | ||
| 2010 | 4A | Mt. Lebanon | Baldwin | 59 - 43 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | New Castle | Hopewell | 66 - 61 | ||
| 2A | Jeannette | Seton LaSalle | 39 - 36 | ||
| 1A | Vincentian Academy | North Catholic | 57 - 31 | ||
| 2009 | 4A | Mt. Lebanon | Fox Chapel | 50 - 24 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | New Castle | West Mifflin | 54 - 47 | ||
| 2A | Sto-Rox | Seton LaSalle | 51 - 34 | ||
| 1A | North Catholic | Mt. Alvernia | 48 - 44 | ||
| 2008 | 4A | Upper St. Clair | Peters Township | 69 - 40 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | Hampton | West Mifflin | 45 - 41 | ||
| 2A | South Park | OLSH | 47 - 37 | ||
| 1A | Mt. Alvernia | Monessen | 74 - 68 | ||
| 2007 | 4A | New Castle | Oakland Catholic | 46 - 44 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | Hopewell | Montour | 44 - 26 | ||
| 2A | Greensburg C.C. | Ford City | 47 - 37 | ||
| 1A | North Catholic | Vincentian Academy | 61 - 35 | ||
| 2006 | 4A | Oakland Catholic | Mt Lebanon | 49 - 36 | Petersen Events Center |
| 3A | Hopewell | Moon Area | 43 - 26 | ||
| 2A | Greensburg C.C. | OLSH | 46 - 26 | ||
| 1A | Monessen | Serra Catholic | 40 - 34 | ||
| 2005 | 4A | Oakland Catholic | Bethel Park | 58 - 49 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | Moon | Mountour | 33 - 29 | ||
| 2A | Avonworth | Greensburg C.C. | 58 - 52 | ||
| 1A | Serra Catholic | Clairton | 56 - 31 | ||
| 2004 | 4A | New Castle | Oakland Catholic | 36 - 32 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | North Catholic | Mars | 68 - 40 | ||
| 2A | Carlynton | Freeport | 42 - 20 | ||
| 1A | Monessen | Serra Catholic | 63 - 47 | ||
| 2003 | 4A | Upper St. Clair | Oakland Catholic | 55 - 45 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | North Catholic | Moon Area | 51 - 42 | ||
| 2A | Greensburg C.C. | Carlynton | 49 - 40 | ||
| 1A | Serra Catholic | Monessen | 68 - 54 | ||
| 2002 | 4A | Oakland Catholic | Upper St. Clair | 63 - 50 | Charles L. Sewall Center |
| 3A | Moon | North Catholic | 54 - 44 | ||
| 2A | Vincentian Academy | Greensburg C.C. | 55 - 48 | ||
| 1A | Clairton | Mt. Alvernia | 52 - 49 | ||
| 2001 | 4A | Oakland Catholic | Ambridge | 66 - 48 | A. J. Palumbo Center |
| 3A | West Mifflin | Blackhawk | 63 - 53 | ||
| 2A | Vincentian Academy | Washington | 62 - 55 | ||
| 1A | Clairton | Monessen | 64 - 50 |
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- Chuck Heberling, long-time executive director of WPIAL
- Emert, Rich (March 28, 2012). "HOME NEWS LOCAL SPORTS OPINION A & E LIFE BUSINESS VIDEO PHOTO Q&A: WPIAL Executive Director Tim O'Malley". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Silver, Jonathan L. (2004). Approaching the Pinnacle of Privilege: The History of Shady Side Academy, 1883–Present (Ph.D.). Carnegie Mellon University. p. 132.
- "History of the WPAIL". WPAIL. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
- "WPIAL Girls' Basketball Champions". wpial.org. Retrieved 2024-03-05.