History of the Northern Illinois Conference

Today's NIC-10 started play in 1916 with seven schools. The original Northern Illinois Conference:

East Aurora
West Aurora
DeKalb
Elgin
Freeport
Joliet
Rockford

DeKalb dropped out for the 1917-1918 and 1918-1919 school year but rejoined in 1919. The media began referring to the league as the Big 7.

Big 7 (1919-1929)
East Aurora
West Aurora
DeKalb
Elgin
Freeport
Joliet
Rockford

In 1929, DeKalb again dropped out of the league and it was called the Big 6.

Big 6 (1929-1935)
East Aurora
West Aurora
Elgin
Freeport
Joliet
Rockford

In 1935, LaSalle-Peru joined the conference and it was again called the Big 7.

Big 7 (1935-1940)
East Aurora
West Aurora
Elgin
Freeport
Joliet
LaSalle-Peru
Rockford

In 1940, Rockford split into East and West and the conference became the Big 8.

Big 8 (1940-1960)
East Aurora
West Aurora
Elgin
Freeport
Joliet
LaSalle-Peru
Rockford East
Rockford West

In 1960, Rockford Auburn opened and replaced Joliet, which left for the South Suburban Conference.

Big 8 (1960-1963)
East Aurora
West Aurora
Elgin
Freeport
LaSalle-Peru
Rockford Auburn
Rockford East
Rockford West

In 1963, East Aurora, West Aurora and Elgin left to form the Upstate 8 Conference and were replaced by Guilford, Loves Park Harlem and Belvidere.

Big 8 (1963-1964)

Belvidere
Freeport
LaSalle-Peru
Loves Park Harlem
Rockford Auburn
Rockford East
Rockford Guilford
Rockford West

In 1964, LaSalle-Peru left and was replaced by Rockford Boylan.

Big 8 (1964-1971)

Belvidere
Freeport
Loves Park Harlem
Rockford Auburn
Rockford East
Rockford Guilford
Rockford West

Rockford Boylan

In 1971, Rockford Jefferson joined the conference and the name changed to the Big 9.

Big 9 (1971-1982)

Belvidere
Freeport
Loves Park Harlem
Rockford Auburn
Rockford East
Rockford Guilford
Rockford Jefferson
Rockford West

Rockford Boylan

In 1982, Rockton Hononegah was added to the conference and it was renamed the NIC-10.

NIC-10 (1982-1989)

Belvidere
Freeport
Machesney Park Harlem
Rockford Auburn
Rockford East
Rockford Guilford
Rockford Jefferson
Rockford West

Rockford Boylan

Rockton Hononegah

In 1989, the Rockford School District closed West and the conference became the NIC-9.

NIC-9 (1989-2007)
Belvidere
Freeport
Machesney Park Harlem
Rockford Auburn
Rockford East
Rockford Guilford
Rockford Jefferson
Rockford Boylan

Rockton Hononegah

In 2007, Belvidere split into two high schools, opening Belvidere North and the conference reverted back to the NIC-10.

NIC-10 (2007-present)

Belvidere
Belvidere North
Freeport
Machesney Park Harlem
Rockford Auburn
Rockford East
Rockford Guilford
Rockford Jefferson
Rockford Boylan

Rockton Hononegah