Introduction
The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) is an intercollegiate college athletic conference composed of member institutions from Illinois and Wisconsin. Founded in 1975, the conference is a member of Divisions II and III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The CCAC is comprised of private and public colleges from across the region and prides itself on offering a variety of intramural and intercollegiate athletic opportunities for its student athletes. By providing these opportunities, the CCAC strives to develop sportsmanship and athletic achievements at its member institutions.
History and Significance
The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference was founded in 1975 by five private colleges and Loyola University Chicago. The foundation of the CCAC was essential in ensuring that college students from the region had access to a variety of competitive sports opportunities. Since then, the conference has expanded and now features 10 full-time members and four associate members from both Illinois and Wisconsin.
The CCAC provides its member institutions with a variety of sports, ranging from basketball and golf to lacrosse and soccer. The CCAC is also responsible for organizing various championships and tournaments for its member schools. Additionally, the conference serves as a platform for member schools to connect and interact with each other while fostering the spirit of competition among them.
Member Institutions
The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference currently features 14 institutions: 10 full-time members and 4 associate members.
- Full-Time Members:
- Concordia University Chicago
- Dominican University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Judson University
- Robert Morris University-Illinois
- Roosevelt University
- Saint Xavier University
- University of St. Francis
- Trinity International University
- University of St. Mary of the Lake
- Associate Members:
- Hawkeye Community College (NJCAA)
- Kaukauna High School (WIAA)
- St. Ambrose University (NAIA)
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside (NCAA DII)
Sports Offered and Notable Achievements
The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference provides its members with a variety of competitive sports, including basketball, cross country, soccer, football, golf, lacrosse, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, volleyball, and wrestling. Since its inception, the CCAC has seen its members have considerable success, with five teams earning multiple NCAA Division III National Championship titles.
The CCAC also fosters intense rivalries between its member schools. These rivalries add an extra degree of excitement to games, creating an atmosphere that encourages and supports healthy competition.
Governance, Scheduling, and Championship Events
The membership of the CCAC is governed by a board of directors, which includes presidents, faculty representatives, and student-athletes from each of the member schools. The board of directors sets the rules and regulations for the conference and ensures that member schools adhere to them.
The conference also organizes scheduling of games and championship events. Scheduling is often handled by the individual member schools, while championship events are organized and conducted by the CCAC. The conference hosts an annual championship event at the end of the season in which the tournament winners compete for the title and the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division II and III National Championship tournaments.
Role and Impact
By providing a safe and healthy environment for its members to compete and grow, the CCAC has had a positive impact on the local and national sports scenes. The CCAC has been a driving force in helping to create and foster a culture of inclusion and sportsmanship between its member institutions. The conference has also provided a platform for student-athletes from the midwest to showcase their skills and capabilities, both on and off the field.
Future Prospects
The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference is well positioned for the future. Recent trends indicate that the conference continues to be one of the premier midwest divisions in college sports. With the addition of new members and the continued development of existing member schools, the CCAC is expected to continue to expand and evolve in the coming years. Additionally, the conference is committed to fostering an environment in which its members can compete in a safe, fair, and enjoyable manner.
