By Woodrow Carroll
In the past couple of years, there has been unbelievable movement when it comes to conference affiliation. All of a sudden we find the likes of Oregon, among other schools, in the Big Ten Conference. Just think, it was not too many years ago that the Big Ten was exclusively Midwestern in its composition. No longer with the likes of Maryland on the eastern fringe and no less than four programs, Oregon, Washington, Southern California and UCLA, on the Pacific Coast.
Before proceeding, a tip of the hat to the University of Illinois for its remarkable stability when it comes to conference membership.
In 1896. Illinois joined what was then known as The Intercollegiate Conference of Faculty Representatives. That wordy description for schools that in time became known as the Big Ten. Ten schools it was until the University of Chicago deemphasized sports in the years before World War II, leaving the conference with just nine members.
The University of Chicago Maroons produced the first Heisman Trophy winner, Jay Berwanger, in 1935. Berwanger’s heroics notwithstanding, the University of Chicago dropped football after the 1939 season and pulled out of the Big Ten completely in 1946. (Berwanger and future U.S. president Gerald Ford played against each other in the mid-1930s when the University of Chicago played against Ford’s Michigan Wolverines.)
The big push in the late-1940s, although many associated with the University of Michigan were not totally on board, was for admitting Michigan State into the Big Ten fraternity.
The Michigan State Spartans joined the Big Ten in 1950. Michigan and Michigan State had faced each other numerous times prior to the Spartans joining the Big Ten, with Michigan dominating. Since joining the Big Ten in 1950, there has been a bit more parity in the series which stands 41-32-2 in favor of the Michigan Wolverines.
Conference stability has not been Northern Illinois University’s football hallmark through the years. On five occasions going back to 1899, Northern Illinois has played an independent schedule only to affiliate with a conference before another go around as an independent.
Grandiose football dreams propelled Northern Illinois into joining the Big West in 1993. A three-year run that was more of a nightmare than a dream. After a short spell (again) as an independent, the Huskies rejoined the Mid-American Conference which Northern Illinois left to join the Big West.
Recently, we were appraised of Northern Illinois’ decision to join the Mountain West Conference as a football only member. As to the why of such a move, we have been hard put to fully understand.
Questions! If the Northern Illinois football program is alone in its membership in the Mountain West Conference, what happens to the likes of men’s basketball for instance? Or, the various women’s sports?
Given that football is the quintessential male sport, is there a risk of legal action seeking redress for women’s programs not being given the full, or fair, backing given the football program.
Although it is not likely to impact the sports psyche of most Northern Illinois fans, how does one address the University of Hawaii’s full membership in the Mountain West conference. We may think in terms of the Hawaii’s football scheduling in the past. The ability to schedule an additional game, generally a 13th contest instead of the 12-game schedule mandated by the NCAA was out there. But, it required a game in Hawaii to meet the requirement, and few took advantage of the provision.
Still, as a full conference member, you will likely see accommodations made so full membership works out for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors men and women athletic programs. At least for the time being.
In the coming weeks and months, we will be further appraised of the goings on in the Northern Illinois athletic department. Fair warning! Nothing should come as a surprise.