Decorah, WSR Could Learn Conference Fates Wednesday (04.29)

A decision on Decorah’s request to form a new conference similar to the old Northeast Iowa Conference could be determined Wednesday (04.29).

Decorah has been without conference affiliation since the dissolution of the NEIC at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. They sought membership in the Upper Iowa Conference UIC, but were rejected due to their school size. 

They’ve been searching for a league since, and last month, a Conference Realignment Committee met to discuss Decorah’s application and the identification of conferences for possible placement.

Cory McDonald, activities director for former NEIC, now UIC, member, New Hampton, understands Decorah’s predicament.

Waverly-Shell Rock is also still in search of a new conference ever since they were voted out of the NEIC, departing at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. WSR applied to the WaMac and Mississippi Valley conferences, but were denied.

Their request for conference placement and/or to form a new league similar to the old NEIC was also heard by the Realignment Committee last month. Both Decorah and WSR could learn their fate during a hearing Wednesday at the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) in Boone.

McDonald says what happens next is anyone’s guess.

Both Decorah and Waverly-Shell Rock have expressed interest in being placed in the North Central Conference, where Charles City is in the midst of its first season with the NCC.

Since Decorah’s proposal for a new conference includes former NEIC members Charles City, Waukon, Crestwood, and New Hampton, plus North Fayette Valley and Osage, those schools can also be represented at Wednesday’s IHSSA/Realignment session. Charles City Activities Director Dana Sullivan says they will be there in Boone.