The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) is an NAIA level college athletic conference that includes 8 member institutions located in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. It was established in 2012 as a result of a merger from two separate conferences, the Wolverine Athletic and the Hoosier Athletic. The WHAC is known for its tight-knit athletic community and spirited competition between its member institutions.
History of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
The Wolverine Athletic Conference was first founded in 2006. The seven original members were Aquinas College, Corban University, Madonna University, Siena Heights University, Lawrence Technological University, Concordia University and the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The Hoosier Athletic Conference was established in 2008 with eight original members, including Grace College, Huntington University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marian University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Northwestern Ohio University, and Taylor University.
The two conferences merged in 2012 to form the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. The newly formed conference was officially launched on July 1, 2012 and included the original 15 members from the two previous conferences. Since then, the WHAC has seen the addition of two new members, Indiana Institute of Technology and Lourdes University.
Member Institutions, Sports & Notable Achievements
The WHAC currently consists of eight member institutions located in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. The member institutions are Aquinas College, Indiana Institute of Technology, Lawrence Technological University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Lourdes University, Marian University, Madonna University, and Taylor University. These institutions compete in a number of sports, namely Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, and Track & Field.
The WHAC has seen a number of remarkable athletic achievements over the years, most notably Indiana Wesleyan’s success in men’s basketball. After joining the conference in 2008, Indiana Wesleyan went on to win 7 consecutive championships (2008-2014). The conference has also seen several of its members excel in golf, with Aquinas College and Indiana Institute of Technology having multiple NAIA individual and team championship titles, and Marian University and Madonna University having had multiple conference team titles.
Rivalries Within the Conference
The WHAC has some of the most intense rivalries among its member institutions. The most notable rivalry is between Aquinas College and Indiana Institute of Technology, known as the “Battle of the Saints”. There’s also the “Border Brawl” between Lawrence Technological University and Madonna University. Other rivalries include the “East vs West Challenge” between the Eastern and Western divisions of the conference, and the historic rivalry between Taylor University and Indiana Wesleyan.
Conference Operations & Role
The WHAC is governed and coordinated by the Conference Commissioner, who is responsible for setting the conference’s policies and regulations. Conference scheduling is managed through the Central Hub software system, which allows the member institutions to plan their inter-division and inter-conference competitions. The WHAC also organizes several conference championship events, including a golf tournament, indoor track & field meets, and a basketball tournament.
The WHAC is also known for its strong support of competitive sportsmanship and its promotion of athletic opportunities to its student athletes. The conference provides its members with several avenues for collaboration, including the WHAC Council of Presidents and Athletic Directors, which serves as a platform for discussions and negotiations. The conference also organizes mentorship programs and networking opportunities which help to nurture the members’ athletic and academic development.
The WHAC has had a significant impact on the local and national sports scene. The conference was the first to introduce the Central Hub software system, which is now used by many other conferences. It has also been a major force in the growth of the NAIA level sports in the Midwest, with its member institutions consistently showcasing their excellence in athletics.
Future Prospects of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
The WHAC is now established as a leader in NAIA athletics. With its new Central Hub software system, it can look forward to more efficient scheduling and increased collaboration among its members. The WHAC is also planning to expand its scope with regards to development of its student-athletes, with new initiatives like the WHAC Leaders Program.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of WHAC members producing notable athletic accomplishments. This trend is set to continue in the years to come, with the WHAC remaining at the cutting edge of college level athletic competition.
The WHAC looks forward to a long future of providing its members with unmatched competitive opportunities and unparalleled athletic development. With its innovative programs and dedicated members, the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference is sure to remain a dominant force in sports for years to come.