By Woodrow Carroll
Northern Illinois University’s football history dates back to 1894 when the school first fielded a team. Keep in mind that the school did not achieve university status until many years later. For the sake of continuity and clarity, the school will be called Northern Illinois from here on.
Starting in 1894 Northern Illinois played football as an independent. In 1920 the school joined the IIAC (Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).
A few years later, the school took the gridiron once again as an independent. A brief run that lasted from 1925-1927.
For conference stability Northern Illinois went back to the IIAC in 1928. From 1928-1965, Northern made its home in the IIAC. Unfortunately, the powers to be at the school had grandiose plans. In 1966, Northern once again found itself as a pigskin independent.
Seven seasons as an independent (1966-1972) proved to be enough for the Huskies who were more than happy to join the Mid-American Conference starting with the 1973 campaign.
Incapable of leaving well enough alone, the Northern Illinois Huskies opted to test the waters of independent play once again in 1986. A less than satisfying run as you might imagine.
Having Champaign dreams in a beer market, Northern next cast its lot with the Big West Conference. Three seasons in the Big West from 1993-1995 proved to be enough. After another year as an independent (1996), it was back to the MAC starting with the 1997 season.
Once again we find Northern in the roll of conference dropout. Lately, we have been informed that for football, the Huskies are going to be in the Mountain West Conference beginning with the 2026 Season.
While Northern Illinois has struggled to find its conference footing down through the years, the University of Illinois’ football picture has been a steady one. And, while we are at it, lets include Northwestern. Just like Illinois, the Northwestern Wildcats have been a part of the Big Ten lineup almost from the beginning.
And, before Illinois and Northwestern came to the fore there was the University of Chicago. And, the Maroons were a Big Ten football power in the early part of the 20th Century. More so than Illinois and Northwestern to begin with in the formative years of what came to be known as the Big Ten Conference.
The University of Chicago Maroons captured the Big Ten championship as far back as 1899 with 4-0 conference record while finishing 16-0-2 overall. This at a time when scheduling featured a diverse mix of opponents along with league foes.
Now take a careful look at the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences. You will see that these two conferences don’t lose members. Only once has the Big Ten had a school pull out.
In the 1930s, a conflict between University of Chicago president Robert Hutchins and Maroon head football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg led to the school cutting back on sports with football the focus of the cutback. What ultimately came about was the University of Chicago pulling out of the Big Ten.
In his 41 years as head coach of the Maroons, Stagg guided the school to National Championships in 1905 and 1913. So, you can see why there was conflict between Hutchins and Stagg when football was cutback.
If you add up the present membership of the Big Ten, the total number of schools playing football is now 18. Following the University of Chicago’s exit, the Big Ten was down to nine schools in the late-1940s. Since that low point, the Big Ten has added Michigan State, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, Southern California, and UCLA. And, no school has pulled out as a league member.
In the years to come it will be interesting to see how well Northern Illinois does as a football member of the Mountain West Conference. And, while we have focused on Northern Illinois lets keep in mind the other schools involved. Especially, Hawaii which now finds itself as a full member of the Mountain West Conference.