Introduction

The Midwest Conference (MWC) is one of the oldest college athletic conferences in the United States. The conference was formed in 1992 and has since grown to include 12 member institutions from the Midwest region. The Midwest Conference sponsors 23 NCAA Division III championships per year, making it one of the most successful conferences in the NCAA Division III level.

Member Institutions

The conference currently has 12 member institutions that compete in the Midwest Conference.

• Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin
• Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa
• Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa
• Illinois College, Jacksonville, Illinois
• Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois
• Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin
• Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois
• Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin
• St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin
• Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois
• Lakeland College, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota

Sports and Championships

The Midwest Conference sponsors 23 NCAA Division III championships per year in various sports, including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track and field, and volleyball. The conference also sponsors numerous non-traditional sports championships as well, such as Alpine skiing, fencing, and rowing.

The championships are divided into two parts: the conference tournament and the regional tournament. The teams with the best records in each of the conference tournaments qualify for the regional tournament.

Notable Achievements

The Midwest Conference has achieved several notable accomplishments, including having two schools, Monmouth and St. Norbert, competing in the NCAA Division III men’s basketball championship in 2018. St. Norbert also won the NCAA men’s hockey championship in 2018. The conference has also had numerous teams competing in the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Championship over the years.

Rivalries and Schools

The Midwest Conference has several rivalries between member institutions. The biggest rivalry is the Battle of the Bluffs between Monmouth and Knox, while the Battle of the Cows is the rivalry between Beloit and Lawrence. The St. Norbert/DePere rivalry is also fierce between the two schools.

Operations and Governance

The Midwest Conference operates under the rules of the NCAA Division III and is governed by the Presidents’ Council, which is made up of the presidents of each of the 12 member institutions. The Council is responsible for managing and approving all major policies within the conference, including scheduling, championships, and awards.

The conference operates on a three-year rotating system for scheduling, with each year focusing on either baseball, basketball, football, or volleyball. The conference also sponsors regular and postseason championships each year, as well as numerous other championship events such as all-star games and tournaments.

Role and Impact of the Midwest Conference

The Midwest Conference has a major impact on the local and national sports scenes. The conference is responsible for providing top-tier competition for NCAA Division III teams and is known for producing quality student-athletes. The Midwest Conference has also been instrumental in helping teams transition to NCAA Division II and III levels.

The conference has also had a strong impact on the local economies. Teams participating in the conference generate revenue for local communities through ticket sales and merchandise purchases. This revenue helps support the growth of the communities and the development of sports businesses.

Future Prospects

The Midwest Conference is poised to continue to grow and be successful in the upcoming years. Recent trends show that the conference is focusing more on the development of student-athletes through academic success and providing top-tier competition. Teams from the Midwest Conference are regularly making it to the NCAA Division III tournaments and have a strong chance of winning championships. The conference’s future prospects are positive and the Midwest Conference looks to be a strong competitor in college sports for years to come.

Conclusion

The Midwest Conference is one of the oldest college athletic conferences in the United States and continues to be a major competitor at the NCAA Division III level. The conference is made up of 12 member institutions that span the Midwest region and it sponsors 23 NCAA Division III championships per year. The conference has had numerous achievements, rivalries, and successes over the years and is a major contributor to the local and national sports scenes. The Midwest Conference is poised to continue to be successful in the future and looks to remain a major competitor in college sports.