Northern Indiana Athletic Conference

Northern Indiana Conference
Founded1927
No. of teams1 Class 6 A, 2 Class 5A, 5 Class 4A, 4 Class 3A, 1 Class 2A
RegionNorth Central Indiana
Locations
The Northern Indiana Conference in Indiana. Current Areas are in red, Former Areas are in MaroonThe Northern Indiana Conference in Indiana. Current Areas are in red, Former Areas are in Maroon

The Northern Indiana Conference (NIC) is a high school athletic conference that was founded in 1927 and spanned from as far west as Hammond and Gary to South Bend/Mishawaka and Elkhart to the east and south to Plymouth. Since its start in 1927, a total of 32 separate schools have at one time called the NIC home. From its inception until 1963, the conference had been divided into East and West divisions. The West Division (as well as Valparaiso) left to form the Northwestern Conference in 1963. With membership dwindling to 7 members by the 1970s, the conference added former members of the Northern Indiana Valley Conference to its ranks. Currently, every former NIVC member is now a part of the NIC except for South Bend Jackson, which closed in 1973, and South Bend LaSalle, which joined the NIC in 1977, but closed in 2001.

History

Like the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference, the NIAC was also a superconference that spanned several counties, and a lot of driving miles, for a period between 1940 and 1965. Throughout the 1970s the membership dwindled as many schools left to form new conferences. From 1995 to 2015 the two conferences share the same setup with 7 or 8 schools in one county, 8 in this case from St. Joseph County and 1 from an adjacent county, Elkhart in this case. This will change in 2015, as four schools from the folding Northern State Conference will join, making a 13 school conference.[1] This will also expand the conference footprint into two counties formerly represented in the NIAC: LaPorte (last represented in 1995) and Marshall (last represented in 1930). 2020 will bring more change, as Elkhart Central merges with former member Elkhart Memorial to form Elkhart high school, and Mishawaka leaves for the Northern Lakes Conference, taking Memorial's spot in that league.[2]

Boys

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Wrestling

Girls

Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball

Current members

SchoolLocationMascotColorsCountyEnrollment [1]
24–25
IHSAA Class		JoinedPrevious
Conference
Elkhart1ElkhartLions     20
Elkhart		3,166
4A		2020Elkhart County
Mishawaka
Marian		MishawakaKnights     71
St. Joseph		735
3A		2005Independents
(NIVC 1978)
New
Prairie		New
Carlisle		Cougars     46
LaPorte		970
3A		2015Northern State
Penn2MishawakaKingsmen     71
St. Joseph		3,480
4A		1974Northern IN Valley
South Bend
Adams		South BendEagles     71
St. Joseph		2,062
4A		1941none (new school)
South Bend
Riley		South BendWildcats     71
St. Joseph		1,298
4A		1931Independent (School Opened in 1924)
South Bend
Saint Joseph3		South BendHuskies     71
St. Joseph		849
3A		2005Independents
(NIVC 1978)
South Bend
Washington		South BendPanthers   71
St. Joseph		886
3A		1938none (new school)
  1. Elkhart was known as Elkhart Central between 1972 and 2020. In 2020, Elkhart Central consolidated with Elkhart Memorial.
  2. Played concurrently in NIC and NIVC 1974–78.
  3. South Bend Saint Joseph was known as South Bend St. Joseph's until 2012.

Former members

SchoolLocationMascotColorsCountyJoinedPrevious
Conference		LeftConference
joined
East Chicago Washington1East ChicagoSenators   45
Lake		1927Independents1963Northwestern
Gary EmersonGaryGolden Tornadoes   45
Lake		1927Independents1963Northwestern
Gary FroebelGaryBlue Devils   45
Lake		1927Independents1963Northwestern
Gary MannGaryHorsemen   45
Lake		1927Independents1963Northwestern
GoshenGoshenRedskins   20
Elkhart		1927Elkhart County1969Independents
HammondHammondWildcats   45
Lake		1927Independents1963Northwestern
La PorteLaPorteSlicers   46
La Porte		1927Independents1976Duneland
Michigan City Elston2Michigan CityRed Devils   46
La Porte		1927Independents1995none (consolidated
into Michigan City)
PlymouthPlymouthPilgrims   50
Marshall		1927Independents1930Independents
South Bend Central3South BendBears   71
St. Joseph		1927Independents1970none (school closed)
ValparaisoValparaisoVikings   64
Porter		1927
1945
1953		Independents
Independents
Independents		1930
1948
1963		Independents
Independents
Northwestern
WhitingWhitingOilers   45
Lake		1927Independents1963Northwestern
East Chicago RooseveltEast ChicagoRough Riders   45
Lake		1929Little 71963Northwestern
Gary WallaceGaryHornets   45
Lake		1935Little 71963Northwestern
Hammond TechHammondTigers   45
Lake		1937Independents1963Northwestern
Gary TollestonGaryBlue Raiders   45
Lake		1941Independents1963Northwestern
Hammond ClarkHammondPioneers   45
Lake		1941Independents1963Northwestern
Fort Wayne North Side4Fort WayneRedskins   02
Allen		1942Ft. Wayne City Series1965Ft. Wayne City Series/Summit
Elkhart Memorial5ElkhartCrimson Chargers   20
Elkhart		1972Northern Indiana Conference2000Northern Lakes
Elkhart CentralElkhartBlue Blazers   20
Elkhart		1972Independents2020Consolidated into Elkhart
South Bend LaSalle6South BendLions   71
St. Joseph		1976Northern IN Valley2001none (school closed)
MishawakaMishawakaCavemen   71
St. Joseph		1927Independents2020Northern Lakes
BremenBremenLions   50
Marshall		2015Northern State2024Northern State
JimtownElkhartJimmies     20
Elkhart		2015Northern State2024Northern State
John GlennWalkertonFalcons     71
St. Joseph		2015Northern State2024Northern State
South Bend
Clay		South BendColonials     71
St. Joseph		1978Independents
(NIVC 1978)		2024none (school closed)
  1. East Chicago Washington was known as East Chicago until 1928.
  2. Michigan City Elston was known as Michigan City until 1972.
  3. South Bend Central was known as South Bend until 1930.
  4. Played concurrently in the NIC and FWCS their entire membership in the NIC.
  5. Played concurrently in the NIC and NLC 1999–2000.
  6. Played concurrently in the NIC and NIVC 1976–78.

Membership timeline

New Prairie High SchoolJimtown High SchoolJohn Glenn High School (Walkerton, Indiana)Bremen High School (Indiana)St. Joseph High School (South Bend, Indiana)Marian High School (Mishawaka, Indiana)Clay High School (Indiana)South Bend LaSalle High SchoolPenn High SchoolNorth Side High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana)John Adams High School (South Bend, Indiana)Hammond Clark High SchoolTolleston Middle SchoolWashington High School (South Bend, Indiana)Hammond Technical High SchoolLew Wallace High SchoolJames Whitcomb Riley High SchoolCentral High School (East Chicago, Indiana)Whiting High SchoolValparaiso High SchoolSouth Bend Central High SchoolPlymouth High SchoolMishawaka High SchoolMichigan City High SchoolLaPorte High School (Indiana)Hammond High School (Indiana)Goshen High SchoolGary Mann High SchoolGary Froebel High SchoolGary Emerson High SchoolElkhart Central High SchoolCentral High School (East Chicago, Indiana)

Rivalries

Main rivalries:

  • Riley Wildcats vs. Penn Kingsmen
  • Penn Kingsmen vs. Mishawaka Cavemen* (often called "The Backyard Brawl")
  • St. Joseph High School vs. Marian Knights (often called "The Holy War")
  • Riley Wildcats vs. Adams Eagles
  • New Prairie Cougars vs. La Porte* Slicers

Notable sub-rivalries

  • St. Joseph vs. Penn
  • Riley vs. Marian (often called "The South Side Brawl")
  • Marian vs. Mishawaka* (often called "The Civil War")
  • Mishawaka* vs. Washington
  • Marian vs. Penn (baseball only)
  • St. Joseph vs. Culver Military Academy (hockey and lacrosse only)*°
  • Mishawaka vs. Adams (basketball only)

Former rivalries

  • Elkhart Central Blue Blazers vs. Elkhart Memorial Crimson Chargers* (often called "The Battle of Elkhart")
  • Lasalle vs Washington
  • Bremen Lions vs. Jimtown Jimmies (Rivalry published in November 1994 issue of Sports Illustrated magazine "Unrivaled Rivalries")
  • Clay Colonials vs. Washington Panthers
  • Riley vs. Clay
  • Adams vs. Clay
  • Jimtown vs. NorthWood* (often called "The Border War")
  • Bremen vs. Triton* (also often called "The Border War")
  • St. Joseph vs. Clay
  • Mishawaka vs. Clay (football only).

(Asterisk indicates non-member of NIC)

(Degree indicates a non-NIC sanctioned sport)

State championships

Bremen (3)

  • 1989 Football (A)
  • 1994 Football (2A)
  • 2019 Softball (2A)

Elkhart Central (6)

  • 1968 Wrestling
  • 1969 Boys Track
  • 1973 Boys Cross Country
  • 1979 Boys Golf
  • 1993 Boys Track
  • 2012 Baseball (4A)

Jimtown (6)

  • 1974 Boys Gymnastics
  • 1991 Football (A)
  • 1997 Football (2A)
  • 1998 Football (2A)
  • 2004 Boys Basketball (2A)
  • 2005 Football (2A)

Glenn (0)

Mishawaka (7)

  • 1946 Boys Cross Country
  • 1980 Volleyball
  • 1983 Volleyball
  • 1988 Volleyball
  • 1991 Wrestling
  • 2008 Wrestling
  • 2010 Wrestling

Mishawaka Marian (12)

  • 1973 Volleyball
  • 1973 Football (A)
  • 1975 Football (2A)
  • 1976 Football (2A)
  • 2001 Boys Golf
  • 1999 Boys Hockey
  • 2001 Boys Hockey
  • 2010 Boys Hockey
  • 2012 Girls Soccer (A)
  • 2015 Boys Soccer (A)
  • 2016 Boys Soccer (A)
  • 2023 Boys Soccer (2A)

New Prairie (2)

  • 2023 Softball (3A)
  • 2024 Baseball (3A)

Penn (24)

  • 1983 Football (4A)
  • 1994 Baseball
  • 1994 Girls Golf
  • 1995 Football (5A)
  • 1996 Football (5A)
  • 1997 Football (5A)
  • 1998 Baseball (4A)
  • 1999 Softball (3A)
  • 1999 Boys Soccer
  • 2000 Football (5A)
  • 2001 Baseball (4A)
  • 2002 Girls Golf
  • 2004 Girls Golf
  • 2005 Girls Golf
  • 2010 Volleyball (4A)
  • 2011 Volleyball (4A)
  • 2015 Wrestling
  • 2015 Baseball (4A)
  • 2016 Girls Basketball (4A)
  • 2016 Girls Soccer (2A)
  • 2017 Girls Soccer (3A)
  • 2022 Baseball (4A)
  • 2023 Softball (4A)
  • 2023 Baseball (4A)

South Bend Adams (8)

  • 1966 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1966 Wrestling
  • 1967 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1968 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1973 Boys Golf
  • 1974 Boys Tennis
  • 1976 Volleyball
  • 1978 Volleyball

South Bend Clay (2)

  • 1970 Baseball
  • 1994 Boys Basketball

South Bend Riley (10)

  • 1938 Boys Golf
  • 1956 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1957 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1958 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1962 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1962 Boys Golf
  • 1964 Boys Golf
  • 1978 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1986 Boys Swimming & Diving
  • 1995 Boys Swimming & Diving

South Bend St. Joseph (13)

  • 1972 Volleyball
  • 1975 Girls Tennis
  • 1995 Football (3A)
  • 1998 Girls Soccer
  • 2003 Boys Soccer
  • 2005 Girls Basketball (3A)
  • 2010 Girls Tennis
  • 2010 Girls Soccer
  • 2017 Girls Basketball (3A)
  • 2017 Baseball (3A)
  • 2022 Softball
  • 2022 Boys Lacrosse
  • 2025 Boys Basketball (3A)

South Bend Washington (3)

  • 1973 Football (3A)
  • 2007 Girls Basketball (4A)
  • 2022 Girls Basketball (3A)

See also

References

  1. ^ Pete Byrne (April 23, 2014). "UPDATE: NIC expands, adding Bremen, Jimtown, New Prairie and Glenn". WSBT TV, South Bend, IN. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  2. ^ Ray, Olivia (July 11, 2018). "Mishawaka High School to join the Northern Lakes Conference 2020-21". WSBT 22 (South Bend, IN). Retrieved March 6, 2019.

Conference champions

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