The Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) is a NCAA Division III athletic conference, composed of small liberal arts institutions. Its members are located across the Midwest, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Founded in 2006, the NACC is a relatively new conference that has quickly risen to prominence in the college sports world. Let’s take a closer look at the NACC and everything it has to offer.

The Member Institutions of the NACC

The 14 member institutions of the NACC include Aurora University, Benedictine University, Concordia University Chicago, Concordia University Wisconsin, Edgewood College, Marian University, Milwaukee School of Engineering, MSOE, Rockford University, Valparaiso University, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Wisconsin Lutheran College, and Dominican University. They compete in 18 varsity sports – 8 men’s and 10 women’s.

Notable Achievements

The NACC has a proud history of success in college athletics in its short existence. Several of its member schools have won titles at NCAA Division III championships, with the most recent winner being University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the 2019 Women’s Lacrosse championship. UW-Whitewater is the most successful NACC school, having won multiple national titles in multiple sports. Their rivalry with Carthage College for conference football is one of the most anticipated in the NACC annually.

Rivalries within the Conference

The dynamic of the NACC has created several intense rivalries between member schools. The most prominent of these is the one between Michael Allen at Benedictine, and MSOE’s John Harris-led team. The rivalry has grown ever since 2010, with the two teams fighting for supremacy over the conference title for almost a decade.

How the NACC Operates

The NACC is governed by a board of directors, led by a commission chairperson. The commission is responsible for setting rules and regulations, as well as overseeing the league’s operations. These include scheduling of regular season games, the playoff system, and other competitions. The NACC also has its own conference championship events for both men’s and women’s sports.

Role and Impact of the NACC

The NACC is focused on providing a positive athletic experience for its student-athletes, while also promoting responsible behavior off the court. It has become a powerful force in college athletics, bringing the small liberal arts institutions in the Midwest onto the national stage. It has also forged strong ties with the NCAA, becoming a recognized conference with Division III in 2012.

Future Prospects of the NACC

The recent trend in college athletics has seen the NACC going from strength to strength. This is evident in the way its members are continually producing stellar performances in the sport, rivalling some of the more prestigious conferences in the NCAA. The future of the NACC looks bright indeed, and fans of the sport can definitely expect the conference to keep delivering in the years to come.