The future of Iowa’s oldest athletic conference is uncertain amidst talk of possible conference realignment.
The Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC), some 100 years old, consists of Charles City, New Hampton, Cresco-Crestwood, Waukon, Decorah and Waverly-Shell Rock (WSR). Oelwein left the league two years ago amid sportsmanship concerns with Waverly-Shell Rock. There’s also an issue that WSR has become so much larger than other member schools it has created competitive imbalance. To address the issues, New Hampton Superintendent Jay Jurrens has presented the NEIC executive board a resolution asking WSR to leave the league.
Charles City Superintendent Mike Fisher explained the removal process at Monday night’s school board meeting.
Further complicating the NEIC’s outlook is that Cresco-Crestwood, New Hampton and Waukon have been invited to join the Upper Iowa Conference (UIC). Just one defection could put the NEIC on shaky ground, but Fisher says they’re prepared for the future regardless.
Fisher added that he’s had conversations with at least two schools that would be willing to join the NEIC if WSR is not in the conference. As of Monday night, he said no league meeting had been set, but expects it should happen in the next couple of weeks.
