WIBCA History
Also Read: In the words of Kirk Stiltner, 1st President of WIBCA
Background: WIAA and WSCA
The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) was established in 1905. In 1947, the Washington State Coaches Association (WSCA) was created primarily by football coaches. WSCA plays a crucial role in shaping policies with the WIAA and advocating for the future of high school athletics in Washington. All sport coaches are covered by the umbrella of WSCA, and official events must be sanctioned by WSCA.
Before WIBCA (1975–1981)
The Washington State Boys Basketball Coaches Association (WSBBCA) was operational by 1975. A small group of basketball coaches led by Ed Pepple guided WSCA on Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame selections and managed the All-State Games, which used a “City vs State” format—Seattle players versus the rest of the state.
The downfall for WSBBCA came with an all-star game financial loss in 1981. WSCA, as the parent organization, was responsible for the $1,500 loss.
1981–82 – WIBCA Takes Shape
In fall 1981, an informational and aspirational meeting was held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. Ed Pepple (Mercer Island) and Kirk Stiltner (Toppenish) led a group of coaches through a series of meetings at CWU Ellensburg, the Coliseum in Seattle, and the WIAA building in Issaquah. Cliff Gillies, WIAA Executive Director, assisted and supported the effort.
Spring 1982 – WIBCA Founded
WIBCA was officially voted into being at the WIAA building in spring 1982.
The first act of WIBCA was to seek permission from WSCA for the all-star games to continue, with WIBCA guaranteeing the funds and operating only sanctioned events. WSCA agreed. WIBCA turned the $1,500 loss into a $2,500 positive balance after repaying the WSCA loan.
Spring 1982 – WIBCA Founded (Continued)
Stiltner believed a speakable acronym was superior to the clumsy array of letters in WSBBCA—all he needed was another vowel. Adding “Interscholastic” aligned WIBCA with academics in a co-curricular fashion. The newly created bylaws and charter established WIBCA as a branch of WSCA while maintaining autonomy over boys basketball matters.
A fall and spring meeting would be held each year: fall for the board only, spring to include league reps. All-stars were debated and named for the summer games. Stiltner served as Director of the All-Star series for six years. Each president would represent WIBCA as a liaison to both the WIAA and WSCA.
Founding officers:
● President: Kirk Stiltner
● Vice Presidents: Charlie Cobb, Ed Pepple
● Secretary/Treasurer: Mark Baier
Voting members present: Mike Mullen, Al Hairston, Jim Harney, Bob Ross, Don Huston, Norm Lowery Jr., Dave Denny, Marty O’Brien, Pat Fitterer, Lyle Patterson, Larry Walker
Kirk Stiltner served as WIBCA’s first president (1982–1985).
1982 – WIBCA Takes Control
WIBCA assumed responsibility for:
● Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame selections
● All-State Games coach and player selections
● Boys Basketball Coach of the Year
The “City vs State” format ended. WIBCA rebranded the event as the Washington State All-State Games. All four classifications have at a minimum one player representative.
1983 – Doug Burge
Doug Burge from Highland High School became the first small-school player selected for the All-State Games—and the first small school player to become MVP. His selection demonstrated WIBCA’s commitment to representing all players and coaches across Washington, regardless of school size. As a result of the small school MVP in 1983, Marty O’Brien and Bill Kelly urged WIBCA to split the All-State Games by classification.
1987 – Classification Split
After several years of work by O’Brien and Kelly, the classifications were split:
● AAA vs AA
● A vs B
This expanded rosters from 20 to 40 players, giving each classification 10 roster spots.
2006 – Six Classifications
Washington added 4A and 2B classifications statewide. The All-State Games expanded to three games covering six classifications, increasing rosters from 40 to 60 players.
2022 – Futures & Unified Games
WIBCA expanded the All-State Games to include a Futures game featuring underclassmen and Unified games for inclusive athletics with students with disabilities.