Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference

The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. The KCAC is the oldest conference in the NAIA and the second oldest in the United States, tracing its history to 1890.

Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference
KCAC
Established1890
AssociationNAIA
Members13 (14 in 2023)
Sports fielded
  • 21
    • men's: 10
    • women's: 11
Former namesKansas Intercollegiate Athletic Association
HeadquartersWichita, Kansas
CommissionerScott Crawford (since 2007)
Websitewww.kcacsports.com
Locations

History

On February 15, 1890, the Kansas Intercollegiate Athletic Association was formed; it was the first successful attempt to organize Kansas colleges for the purposes of promoting and regulating amateur intercollegiate athletics. In addition to the private universities and colleges, the conference also included Kansas State Agriculture College (now Kansas State University), the University of Kansas, and Washburn University. In November of that year, the first college football game in Kansas was played between the Kansas Jayhawks and Baker University.[1]

About 1902 the association allied with the Kansas College Athletic Conference, the first group to adopt a definite set of rules and regulations. By the 1920s the conference had changed its name to Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and had grown to include 17 regular members and 2 allied members (no longer including the University of Kansas or Kansas State). In 1923 seven colleges withdrew to form the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

On December 1, 1928, the Kansas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was formally disbanded and replaced by a new Kansas College Athletic Conference which included six members and formed the present legal entity. It was commonly referred to as the "Little Six", in contrast to the Big Six Conference that eventually became the current Big 12. By 1968 the conference grew to include 12 members. It was organized into Northern and Southern divisions until 1970 when three colleges withdrew to join Missouri-based conferences. In the mid-1970s the name was changed to its current form.[2]

1905 night game
See 1905 Cooper vs. Fairmount football game

In the 1905 season, the Coleman Company set up temporary gas-powered lighting for a night game against Cooper College (now called the Sterling Warriors). It was the first night football game played west of the Mississippi River.[3] Fairmount won the game 24–0.[4]

1905 "experimental" game
See 1905 Washburn vs. Fairmount football game

On December 25, 1905, Wichita State (called "Fairmount College" at the time) played a game against the Washburn Ichabods using a set of experimental rules. The game was officiated by then Washburn head coach John H. Outland.

The experiment was considered a failure. Outland commented, "It seems to me that the distance required in three downs would almost eliminate touchdowns, except through fakes or flukes."[5] The Los Angeles Times reported that there was much kicking and that the game was considered much safer than regular play, but that the new rule was not "conducive to the sport."[6]

In his history of the sport of football, David M. Nelson concluded that "the first forward passes were thrown at the end of the 1905 season in a game between Fairmount and Washburn colleges in Kansas."[7] According to Nelson, Washburn completed three passes, and Fairmount completed two.

Member schools

Current members

The KCAC currently has 13 full members, all are private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined
Avila University Kansas City, Missouri 1916 Catholic 1,676 Eagles 2018
Bethany College Lindsborg, Kansas 1881 Lutheran ELCA 500 Swedes 1902
Bethel College North Newton, Kansas 1887 Mennonite 500 Threshers 1902;
1939[lower-alpha 1]
Friends University Wichita, Kansas 1898 Christian 3,000 Falcons 1902;
1953[lower-alpha 2]
Kansas Wesleyan University Salina, Kansas 1886 United Methodist 1,000 Coyotes 1902
McPherson College McPherson, Kansas 1887 Church of the Brethren 600 Bulldogs 1902
Oklahoma Wesleyan University Bartlesville, Oklahoma 1972 Wesleyan Church 1,103 Eagles 2015
Ottawa University Ottawa, Kansas 1865 American Baptist 726 Braves 1902;
1982[lower-alpha 3]
University of Saint Mary Leavenworth, Kansas 1859 Catholic 750 Spires 1999
Southwestern College Winfield, Kansas 1885 United Methodist 1,650 Moundbuilders 1902;
1958[lower-alpha 4]
Sterling College Sterling, Kansas 1887 Evangelical Christian 750 Warriors 1902;
1958[lower-alpha 5]
Tabor College Hillsboro, Kansas 1908 Mennonite Brethren 600 Bluejays 1968
York College York, Nebraska 1890 Churches of Christ 459 Panthers 2016
Notes
  1. Bethel (Ks.) left the KCAC in December 1928 (after the 1928–29 school year); before re-joining effective the 1939–40 school year.
  2. Friends left the KCAC in December 1928 (after the 1928–29 school year); before re-joining effective the 1953–54 school year.
  3. Ottawa left the KCAC after the 1970–71 school year; before re-joining effective the 1982–83 school year.
  4. Southwestern (Ks.) left the KCAC after the 1922–23 school year; before re-joining effective the 1958–59 school year.
  5. Sterling left the KCAC in December 1928 (after the 1928–29 school year); before re-joining effective the 1958–59 school year.

Future member

The KCAC will have one future member, which will also be a private school:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joining Current
conference
Evangel University[8] Springfield, Missouri 1955 Assemblies of God 1,511 Valor 2023–24 Heart of America

Associate members

The KCAC currently has 14 associate members, all are private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined KCAC
sport		 Primary
conference
Benedictine College Atchison, Kansas 1858 Catholic 2,189 Ravens 2015–16m.lax.
2015–16w.lax.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse		 Heart of America
Bethel University Mishawaka, Indiana 1947 Missionary 1,964 Pilots 2020–21m.sw.
2020–21w.sw.		 men's swimming
women's swimming		 Crossroads
Clarke University Dubuque, Iowa 1843 Catholic 1,075 Pride 2015–16m.lax.
2015–16w.lax.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse		 Heart of America
Columbia College of Missouri Columbia, Missouri 1851 Nonsectarian 4,000 Cougars 2017–18m.lax.
2021–22w.lax.		 men's lacrosse
eSports		 American Midwest
Culver–Stockton College Canton, Missouri 1853 Disciples of Christ 1,066 Wildcats 2019–20 women's lacrosse Heart of America
Clarke University Dubuque, Iowa 1843 Catholic 1,075 Pride 2015–16m.lax.
2015–16w.lax.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse		 Heart of America
Hastings College Hastings, Nebraska 1882 Presbyterian 1,150 Broncos 2017–18 women's wrestling Great Plains
University of Jamestown Jamestown, North Dakota 1883 Presbyterian 1,000 Mustangs 2017–18w.wr.
2021–22w.sw.		 women's wrestling
women's swimming		 Great Plains
Midland University Fremont, Nebraska 1883 Lutheran ELCA 1,394 Warriors 2019–20m.lax.
2015–16w.lax.
2020–21w.wr.
2019–20m.sw.
2019–20w.sw.
2020–21w.f.fb.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse
women's wrestling
men's swimming
women's swimming
women's flag football		 Great Plains
Missouri Baptist University[lower-alpha 1] Creve Coeur, Missouri 1957 Southern Baptist 5,309 Spartans 2019–20m.lax.
2019–20w.lax.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse		 American Midwest
Missouri Valley College Marshall, Missouri 1889 Presbyterian 1,728 Vikings 2015–16m.lax.
2015–16w.lax.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse		 Heart of America
Morningside University Sioux City, Iowa 1894 United Methodist 2,824 Mustangs 2019–20m.lax.
2019–20w.lax.
2020–21m.sw.
2020–21w.sw.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse
men's swimming
women's swimming		 Great Plains
St. Ambrose University Davenport, Iowa 1882 Catholic 3,607 Fighting Bees 2016–17m.lax.
2017–18w.lax.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse		 Chicagoland
William Penn University Oskaloosa, Iowa 1873 Quakers 1,550 Statesmen 2019–20m.lax.
2019–20w.lax.		 men's lacrosse
women's lacrosse		 Heart of America
Notes
  1. Missouri Baptist competed in the KCAC as an associate member for women's wrestling from 2017–18 to 2019–20.

Former members

The KCAC had 12 former full members, all but five were private schools:

Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left Subsequent
conference(s)		 Current
conference
Baker University Baldwin City, Kansas 1858 United Methodist 989 Wildcats 1902–03 1970–71 Heart of America
(1971–72 to present)
College of Emporia Emporia, Kansas 1882 Presbyterian N/A Fighting Presbies 1902–03;
1933–34		 1922–23;
1970–71[lower-alpha 1]		 various[lower-alpha 2] Closed in 1974
Emporia State University Emporia, Kansas 1863 Public 5,887 Hornets &
Lady Hornets		 1924–25 1927–28 various[lower-alpha 3] Mid-America (NCAA D-II)
(1991–92 to present)
Fairmont College[lower-alpha 4] Wichita, Kansas 1895 Public 15,778 Shockers 1902–03 1922–23 various[lower-alpha 5] The American (NCAA D-I)
(2017–18 to present)
Fort Hays State University Hays, Kansas 1902 Public 14,658 Tigers 1902–03 1927–28 various[lower-alpha 6] Mid-America (NCAA D-II)
(2006–07 to present)
Kansas City University Kansas City, Kansas 1896 Methodist N/A Cowboys 1902–03 1922–23 Independent
(1923–24 to 1932–33)		 Closed in 1933
Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, Kansas 1903 Public 7,102 Gorillas 1902–03 1927–28 various[lower-alpha 7] Mid-America (NCAA D-II)
(1989–90 to present)
St. Benedict's College[lower-alpha 4] Atchison, Kansas 1858 Catholic 2,189 Ravens 1902–03 1927–28 various[lower-alpha 8] Heart of America
(1991–92 to present)
St. John's College Winfield, Kansas 1893 LCMS N/A Eagles 1902–03 1922–23 Independent
(1923–24 to 1985–86)		 Closed in 1986
St. Mary of the Plains College Dodge City, Kansas 1913 Catholic N/A Cavaliers &
Saints		 1968–69 1991–92 Closed in 1992
St. Mary's College St. Marys, Kansas 1848 SSPX N/A Knights 1902–03 1930–31 N/A[lower-alpha 9]
Washburn University Topeka, Kansas 1865 Public 7,971 Ichabods 1902–03 1927–28 various[lower-alpha 10] Mid-America (NCAA D-II)
(1989–90 to present)
Notes
  1. The College of Emporia previously withdrew from the KCAC from 1923–24 to 1932–33.
  2. The College of Emporia had joined various subsequent conference affiliations: the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) from 1928–29 to 1932–33; and the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) from 1971–72 to 1973–74.
  3. Emporia State had joined various subsequent conference affiliations: the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) from 1928–29 to 1967–68; the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1968–69 to 1971–72; the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) from 1972–73 to 1975–76; the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) from 1976–77 to 1988–89; and as an NCAA D-II Independent from 1989–90 to 1990–91.
  4. Currently known as Wichita State University (since 1964) and Benedictine College (since 1971), respectively. Fairmont and St. Benedict's were the school names that reflected its use during conference membership.
  5. Wichita State had joined various subsequent conference affiliations: the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) from 1928–29 to 1939–40; as an NAIA Independent from 1940–41 to 1944–45; and the Missouri Valley Conference from 1945–46 to 2016–17.
  6. Fort Hays State had joined various subsequent conference affiliations: the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) from 1928–29 to 1967–68; the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1968–69 to 1971–72 (also from 1989–90 to 2005–06 on its second stint); the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) from 1972–73 to 1975–76; and the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) from 1976–77 to 1988–89.
  7. Pittsburg State had joined various subsequent conference affiliations: the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) from 1928–29 to 1967–68; the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1968–69 to 1971–72; the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) from 1972–73 to 1975–76; and the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) from 1976–77 to 1988–89.
  8. Benedictine had joined various subsequent conference affiliations: the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) from 1937–38 to 1961–62; and as an NAIA Independent from 1962–63 to 1990–91.
  9. St. Mary's (Ks.) dropped its athletics program after the 1930–31 school year.
  10. Washburn had joined various subsequent conference affiliations: the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC) from 1928–29 to 1932–33 (also from 1940–41 to 1967–68 on its second stint); as an Independent from 1933–34 to 1939–40; the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1968–69 to 1971–72; the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) from 1972–73 to 1975–76; and the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) from 1976–77 to 1988–89.

Former associate members
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Joined Left KCAC
sport		 Primary
conference
Johnson & Wales University
(Denver campus)		 Denver, Colorado 1914 Private 1,291 Wildcats 2015–16 2017–18 women's lacrosse N/A[lower-alpha 1]
Lincoln College Lincoln, Illinois 1865 Nonsectarian 800 Lynx 2019–20m.sw.
2019–20w.sw.		 2020–21m.sw.
2020–21w.sw.		 men's swimming
women's swimming		 Chicagoland
Missouri Baptist University[lower-alpha 2] Creve Coeur, Missouri 1957 Southern Baptist 5,309 Spartans 2017–18 2019–20 women's wrestling American Midwest
St. Gregory's University Shawnee, Oklahoma 1914 Catholic 692 Cavaliers 2015–16 2015–16 men's lacrosse N/A[lower-alpha 3]
Notes
  1. Johnson & Wales–Denver discontinued its athletic program once the school announced that it would close after the 2019-20 school year.
  2. Missouri Baptist remains in the KCAC as an associate member for men's and women's lacrosse.
  3. St. Gregory's discontinued its athletic program once the school announced that it would close after the 2017 fall season (2017-18 school year).

Membership timeline
Evangel UniversityAvila UniversityYork College (Nebraska)Oklahoma Wesleyan UniversityUniversity of Saint MaryTabor CollegeSt. Mary of the Plains CollegeKansas City University (1896–1933)St. John's College (Kansas)Washburn UniversitySouthwestern College (Kansas)Sterling College (Kansas)Saint Mary's Academy and CollegeBenedictine CollegeOttawa UniversityMcPherson CollegeKansas Wesleyan UniversityFriends UniversityWichita State UniversityCollege of EmporiaBethel College (Kansas)Bethany College (Kansas)Baker University

 Full member (all sports)   Full member (non-football) 

Sports
Conference sports
SportMen'sWomen's
BaseballY
BasketballYY
Cross CountryYY
FootballY
GolfYY
LacrosseYY
SoccerYY
SoftballY
TennisYY
Track & Field IndoorYY
Track & Field OutdoorYY
VolleyballY
WrestlingY

See also

References
  1. Evans, Harold (August 1940). "College Football in Kansas". Kansas Historical Quarterly. pp. 285–311. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
  2. National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics "Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference"
  3. "First Light (1900 – 1929)". Coleman Company. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  4. DeLassus, David. "Wichita State Yearly Results (1905)". College Football Data Warehouse. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  5. "Ten Yard Rule a Failure" (PDF). New York Times. December 26, 1905.
  6. "New Football Rules Tested". Los Angeles Times. December 26, 1905.
  7. Nelson, David M. (1994). The Anatomy of a Game: Football, the Rules, and the Men Who Made the Game. University of Delaware Press. ISBN 0-87413-455-2., p. 128
  8. "KCAC to Add Evangel University as 14th Member Institution in 2023". Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.