Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
| Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference | |
|---|---|
| Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference | |
| Data | |
| Classification | NCAA Division III |
| Established | 1987 |
| Members | 9 |
| Sports fielded | 17 (9 men's, 8 women's) |
| Region | Ohio Valley |
| States | 3 - Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio |
| Headquarters | Greenwood, Indiana |
| Commissioner | Tom Bohlsen |
| Locations | |
| |
The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division III. Member institutions are located in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. Although officially instituted during the 1998-1999 season, the HCAC actually traces its history to the formation of the Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference (ICAC) in 1987.
Original members of the HCAC included Anderson, Bluffton, Franklin, Hanover, Manchester, Mount St. Joseph, Wabash, and Wilmington. Of the eight current members, six were founding members of the former ICAC.
Former members include Taylor (1987-1999), Wabash (1987-1999), and Wilmington (1998-1999). Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (1988-1998) rejoined as of July 1, 2006.
Members (and year joined)
The league currently has 9 full members:
| Institution | Location | Team Name | Founded | Affiliation | Enrollment | Year Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson University | Anderson, Indiana | Ravens | 1917 | Private/Church of God | 3,065 | 1987 |
| Bluffton University | Bluffton, Ohio | Beavers | 1899 | Private/Mennonite | 1,191 | 1987 |
| College of Mount St. Joseph | Cincinnati, Ohio | Lions | 1920 | Private/Catholic | 2,259 | 1987 |
| Defiance College | Defiance, Ohio | Yellow Jackets | 1850 | Private/United Church of Christ | 1,000 | 2000 |
| Franklin College | Franklin, Indiana | Grizzlies | 1834 | Private/Baptist | 1,000 | 1987 |
| Hanover College | Hanover, Indiana | Panthers | 1827 | Private/Presbyterian | 1,062 | 1987 |
| Manchester College | North Manchester, Indiana | Spartans | 1860 | Private/Church of the Brethren | 1,069 | 1987 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, Indiana | Fightin' Engineers | 1874 | Private/Non-sectarian | 1,970 | 1989 |
| Transylvania University | Lexington, Kentucky | Pioneers | 1780 | Private/Disciples of Christ | 1,120 | 2000 |
Sports
Member teams compete in women's basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball and men's baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field.
History
The Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference (ICAC) was formed in June 1987, with 1990-1991 being the first full season of competition (all eight teams competing in eight varsity sports).
Charter members in 1987 included Anderson University, DePauw University, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester College, and Wabash College; the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Taylor University joined in 1988.
The addition of three Ohio schools (Bluffton College, College of Mount St. Joseph, and Wilmington College) and the departure of two Indiana schools (DePauw and Rose-Hulman) during the 1998-1999 season prompted a change in name to Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.