Big 9 Conference

Big 9 Conference
Classification MSHSL
Region  Minnesota
Founded 1928
Members
No. of members 12

The Big 9 Conference was organized on April 28, 1928 at a meeting in Owatonna, Minnesota. The schools that associated themselves together "to promote athletic interests and good fellowship among the schools" were Albert Lea, Austin, Faribault, Owatonna, Mankato, Red Wing, Rochester, and Winona. It was then called the Big Eight.[1]

History

Until 1931 the Conference concerned itself only with athletics as that was the avowed purpose of its organization. In 1931 Superintendent Kirk of Faribault questioned the advisability of continuing the Conference, but on the motion of Rochester Superintendent Sanberg, it was decided to go ahead for another year with an expanded program which would include other matters of interest to the high schools than athletics. One year later the music supervisors and assistant coaches were invited to the meeting. As a result of this innovation the first Music Festival came into being and was held in the spring of 1933 in Austin. Since that time the Festival has been an annual affair with the exception of 1943, and is the oldest high school conference music festival in the country. The first Speech Festival was held in Rochester in the spring of 1940.

Owatonna, a prime mover in organizing, dropped out in 1934 because it did not choose to abide by round-robin schedules drawn up by the committee. Northfield filled the vacancy in the Big Eight, but in 1939 Owatonna rejoined the ranks making the Conference the Big Nine. Rochester Mayo became a member in the 1966-67 school year. Northfield withdrew from membership in 1968-69. Red Wing resigned as a member of the Conference effective in the fall of 1982. In 1986 Mankato East and Mankato West dropped out of football competition but rejoined in 1992. Rochester Century became a member of the Conference in the 1997-98 school year. Red Wing and Northfield re-joined during the 2014-2015 school year, bringing to the total number of schools to 12, though the conference name remains Big Nine.[2]

Current members

Institution Location (Population) Founded Joined Big 9 Conference Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Color(s)
Albert Lea High School Albert Lea, Minnesota
(18,016)
1872 1928 Public 1150 Tigers Blue and Red          
Austin High School Austin, Minnesota
(24,718)
1869 1928 Public ~1300 Packers Scarlet and White          
Faribault High School Faribault, Minnesota
(23,352)
1878 1928 Public ~1200 Falcons Green and White          
Mankato East High School Mankato, Minnesota
North Mankato, Minnesota
(52,703)
1867/1973 1928 (as Mankato) Public 950 Cougars Black and Gold          
Mankato West High School Mankato, Minnesota
North Mankato, Minnesota
(52,703)
1867/1951 1928 (as Mankato) Public ~1150 Scarlets Scarlet and White          
Northfield High School Northfield, Minnesota
(20,007)
1910 1934-1969 (rejoined in 2014) Public 1298 Raiders Maroon and Gold          
Owatonna Senior High School Owatonna, Minnesota
(25,599)
1871 1928-1934 (rejoined in 1939) Public ~1500 Huskies Royal Blue and Silver          
Red Wing High School Red Wing, Minnesota
(16,459)
1875 1928-1981 (rejoined in 2014) Public ~1250 Wingers Purple and White          
Century High School Rochester, Minnesota
(106,769)
1997 1928 (as Rochester) Public 1396 Panthers Navy Blue and Silver          
John Marshall High School Rochester, Minnesota
(106,769)
1958 1928 (as Rochester) Public 1599 Rockets Red and Black          
Mayo High School Rochester, Minnesota
(106,769)
1966 1928 (as Rochester) Public 1622 Spartans Green and Gold          
Winona High School Winona, Minnesota
(27,592)
1857 1928 Public 1226 Winhawks Orange and Black          

References

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