Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

The Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) was a college athletic conference that existed from 1908 to 1970 in the United States.

For other uses, see IIAC.
Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
IIAC
Established1908
Dissolved1970
AssociationNCAA
DivisionCollege Division (Small College)
Members8 (start), 4 (final), 29 (total)
RegionMidwest
Former namesIllinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

At one time the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, or IIAC, was a robust league that claimed most of the Illinois institutions of higher education. It was nicknamed the "Little Nineteen," but in 1928 had a membership of 23 schools. Former Illinois State University track coach Joseph Cogdal, associated with the IIAC for 43 years of its 62-year history, noted that the league had roots in the 1870s when a number of schools banded together for oratorical contests. Their first intercollegiate football game was played in 1881 between Illinois State University and Knox College, and by 1894 a football association was established.

History

The IIAC was formed in April 1908 with eight charter members: Illinois State Normal University (now Illinois State University), Illinois Wesleyan University, Bradley Polytechnic Institute (now Bradley University), Millikin University, Monmouth College, Knox College, Lombard College and Illinois College. The first track meet was held on May 22, 1908. The group quickly expanded. Eastern Illinois State Teachers College (now Eastern Illinois University) and Western Illinois University joined in 1912 and 1914 respectively.

In 1920, the name "Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference" was adopted, providing the initials IIAC. Conference membership reached a peak of 23 member schools in 1928, when virtually all of the small colleges in Illinois were included.

Private schools withdrew during much of the 1930s, until in 1942 only the five state schools remained: Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Western Illinois University. In 1950, the league name became the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, when Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University brought the membership to seven. In 1961-62, Eastern Michigan University and Southern Illinois University Carbondale withdrew; Northern Illinois University followed in 1965-66. The conference disbanded at the end of the 1969–1970 academic year.

Membership
Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Members (clickable map)

Members
Institution Location Founded Years in IIAC (approx.) Nickname Current conference Current division
Illinois State University Normal, Illinois 1857 1908–1970 Redbirds MVC Division I
Bradley University Peoria, Illinois 1897 1908–1937 Braves MVC Division I
Illinois College Jacksonville, Illinois 1829 1908–1937 Blueboys & Lady Blues Midwest Division III
Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, Illinois 1850 1908–1937 Titans CCIW Division III
Lombard College (defunct) Galesburg, Illinois 1853 1908–1929 Golden Tornado/Olive N/A N/A
Millikin University Decatur, Illinois 1901 1908–1937 Big Blue CCIW Division III
Knox College Galesburg, Illinois 1837 1908–1937 Prairie Fire Midwest Division III
Monmouth College Monmouth, Illinois 1853 1908–1937 Fighting Scots Midwest Division III
Eureka College Eureka, Illinois 1855 1910–1942 Red Devils SLIAC Division III
Hedding College (defunct) Abingdon, Illinois 1855 1910–1926 Orangemen N/A N/A
Lincoln College Lincoln, Illinois 1865 1910–1928 Lynx Independent NAIA (no division)
Shurtleff College (defunct) Alton, Illinois 1827 1910–1937 Pioneers/Bison N/A N/A
William & Vashti College (defunct) Aledo, Illinois 1908 1910–1917 unknown N/A N/A
Augustana College Rock Island, Illinois 1860 1912–1937 Vikings CCIW Division III
Carthage College Carthage, Illinois 1847 1912–1941 Redmen CCIW Division III
Eastern Illinois University Charleston, Illinois 1895 1912–1970 Panthers OVC Division I
McKendree College (now University) Lebanon, Illinois 1828 1912–1938 Bearcats GLVC Division II
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois 1869 1913–1962 Maroons/Salukis MVC Division I
Blackburn College Carlinville, Illinois 1837 1914–1923 Beavers SLIAC Division III
Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois 1899 1914–1970 Leathernecks The Summit Division I
St. Viator College (defunct) Bourbonnais, Illinois 1865 1916–1938 Irish/Green N/A N/A
Wheaton College Wheaton, Illinois 1860 1919–1937 Crusaders (Today:Thunder) CCIW Division III
Lake Forest College Lake Forest, Illinois 1857 1919–1937 Foresters Midwest Division III
Northern Illinois University DeKalb, Illinois 1895 1920–1966 Huskies MAC Division I
Mount Morris College (defunct) Mount Morris, Illinois 1839 1922–1931 Mountaineers/Mounders N/A N/A
North Central College Naperville, Illinois 1861 1927–1937 Cardinals CCIW Division III
Elmhurst College Elmhurst, Illinois 1871 1929–1941 Pirates (Today:Bluejays) CCIW Division III
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, Michigan 1892 1950–1970 Chippewas MAC Division I
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan 1849 1950–1962 Hurons (now Eagles) MAC Division I

Membership timeline
Eastern Michigan UniversityCentral Michigan UniversityElmhurst CollegeNorth Central CollegeMount Morris CollegeNorthern Illinois UniversityLake Forest CollegeWheaton CollegeSt. Viator CollegeBlackburn CollegeWestern Illinois UniversitySouthern Illinois University CarbondaleAugustana CollegeMcKendree UniversityCarthage CollegeEastern Illinois UniversityWilliam %26 Vashti CollegeHedding CollegeLincoln College (Illinois)Shurtleff CollegeEureka CollegeLombard CollegeIllinois CollegeKnox College (Illinois)Monmouth CollegeMillikin UniversityBradley UniversityIllinois Wesleyan UniversityIllinois State University

Football champions

Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

See also

References
  1. "Illinois Wesleyan "Little 19" Championships". Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  2. "EIU Football History" (PDF). Eastern Illinois University Athletics. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  3. "Championship to Millikin". Herald & Review. Decatur, Illinois. December 13, 1919. p. 4. Retrieved July 19, 2020 – via Newspapers.com .
  4. "Bradley Joins I.I.A.C. At Annual Conference". The Daily Pantagraph. December 9, 1922. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "3 Elevens Claim Little 19 Crown And All Are Good". Alton Evening Telegraph. Alton, Illinois. November 24, 1931. p. 10. Retrieved July 16, 2020 – via Newspapers.com .
  6. "Football Athletic Honors". Central Michigan Athletics. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  7. "Nick Manych - Class of 1955 - E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame -". Eastern Michigan Athletics. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  8. "Red Miller: I Tackled the Thing". Western Illinois University. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
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