The Horizon League is an NCAA Division I college athletic conference featuring 9 NCAA Division I member institutions in the Midwest. It began in 1979 as the Midwestern City Conference and has undergone several name changes since then, most recently becoming the Horizon League in 2001. It is best known for its men’s and women’s basketball teams but also competes in a wide range of sports. The conference provides an important competitive platform for its member schools and offers some of the best college sports in the Midwest.

History and Significance

The Horizon League traces its roots to 1979, when it was founded as the Midwestern City Conference. Over the next two decades, the conference underwent several name changes to become the current Horizon League. The conference is a major part of college sports in the Midwest, offering competitive play amongst its member schools. The Horizon League is part of the NCAA Division I and its member schools participate in the NCAA Tournament and other national post-season events.

Member Institutions & Sports

The Horizon League currently has nine member schools from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, including the University of Illinois-Chicago, Valparaiso University, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wright State University, Cleveland State University, Oakland University, Northern Kentucky University, and Purdue University Northwest. The conference features teams in Men’s and Women’s basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, golf, cross country, and track and field.

Notable Achievements & Rivalries

The Horizon League has produced some of the most successful college sports teams in the nation. In the 2011-2012 season, the Butler Bulldogs made an incredible run to the Championship game of the men’s NCAA Tournament, while in 2016, the Valparaiso Crusaders made their first NCAA Tournament appearance. Other notable teams in the conference include the Milwaukee Panthers, the Wright State Raiders, and the Green Bay Phoenix. The Horizon League also features a number of rivalries between its member schools, including the in-state rivalries between UIC and Loyola, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Purdue Northwest and Valparaiso, and Cleveland State and Wright State.

Conference Operations & Championships

The Horizon League is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from each of the member schools. It is responsible for setting league policies and regulations, as well as overseeing scheduling and championships. The conference employs a round-robin schedule in most sports, with each school playing the other teams at least twice per season. The Horizon League hosts several championship events, including the Horizon League Basketball Tournament and the Horizon League Baseball Tournament, among others.

Role & National Impact

The Horizon League serves as a vital competitive platform for schools in the Midwest and provides an important link to the NCAA Division I and other national post-season competitions. The Horizon League has an especially significant role in the college basketball scene, as the conference is home to some of the best college basketball teams in the nation. Beyond college sports, the Horizon League also serves as an important contributor to the local sports scene, providing college-level athletic events to the public.

The Future of the Horizon League

The Horizon League has recently seen a growth in interest as several members have become nationally competitive teams. In recent years, Valparaiso, Milwaukee, and Butler have all made impressive runs in the NCAA Tournament and have brought renewed attention to the conference. As a result, the Horizon League is likely to maintain its current strength and relevance in college sports. Additionally, the conference is continuously exploring new ways to expand and further its impact on the local and national sports scenes.

Conclusion

The Horizon League is an important part of college sports in the Midwest. It provides a competitive platform for its member schools to showcase their teams in basketball and other sports. With a strong recent performance from several Horizon League teams, the Conference looks to remain a force in NCAA Division I college sports for years to come.