Empire Junior College Conference

The Empire Junior College Conference (EJCC), also called the Empire Conference and the Empire College Conference (ECC), was an junior college athletic conference composed of member schools located in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Original called the Colorado Junior College Conference (CJCC), the conference changed its name to the Empire Junior College Conference in 1952. ^[1]

Casper College and McCook Junior College were admitted to the conference in May 1952. ^[2] New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) joined the EJCC in 1968 as a football-only member. ^[3]

Football champions

• 1948: Trinidad ^[4]
• 1949: Fort Lewis ^[5]
• 1950: Fort Lewis ^[6]
• 1951: Mesa (CO) ^[7]
• 1952: Scottsbluff ^{[8] [9]}
• 1953: Trinidad ^[10]
• 1954: Trinidad ^[11]
• 1955: Trinidad ^[12]
• 1956: Mesa (CO) ^[13]
• 1957: Trinidad ^[14]
• 1958: Otero ^[15]
• 1959: Otero and Trinidad ^{[16] [17]}
• 1960: Trinidad ^[18]
• 1961: Trinidad ^[19]
• 1962: Trinidad ^[20]
• 1963: Trinidad ^[21]
• 1964: McCook ^[22]
• 1965: McCook ^[23]
• 1966: McCook and Trinidad ^[24]
• 1967: McCook and Trinidad ^[25]
• 1969: Trinidad ^[26]
• 1970: New Mexico Military ^[26]

Yearly football standings

1948 Colorado Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 5 – 1 – 0 8 – 2 – 0 Pueblo 4 – 1 – 1 7 – 2 – 1 Mesa (CO) 4 – 1 – 1 6 – 3 – 1 Fort Lewis 4 – 2 – 0 5 – 3 – 0 Lamar (CO) 2 – 4 – 0 3 – 7 – 0 Sterling 1 – 5 – 0 2 – 6 – 1 La Junta 0 – 6 – 0 0 – 7 – 1 $ – Conference champion	1950 Colorado Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Fort Lewis $ 4 – 0 – 1 7 – 2 – 1 Mesa (CO) 3 – 1 – 1 5 – 2 – 1 Pueblo 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 6 – 0 Trinidad 2 – 3 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Lamar (CO) 1 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? La Junta 1 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion	1951 Colorado Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Mesa (CO) $ 5 – 0 – 0 8 – 0 – 0 Fort Lewis 3 – 2 – 0 4 – 4 – 0 La Junta 3 – 2 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Trinidad 3 – 2 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Pueblo 1 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Lamar (CO) 0 – 5 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion
1952 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Scottsbluff $ 5 – 0 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? Mesa (CO) 4 – 0 – 1 5 – 1 – 1 Fort Lewis 3 – 1 – 1 6 – 2 – 1 McCook 3 – 1 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? Sterling (CO) 4 – 2 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? Lamar (CO) 2 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Pueblo 2 – 5 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? La Junta 1 – 5 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Trinidad 1 – 7 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion	1953 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 6 – 0 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? Mesa (CO) 4 – 0 – 2 5 – 1 – 2 McCook 3 – 1 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? Pueblo 5 – 3 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Sterling (CO) 3 – 2 – 2  ? –  ? –  ? Fort Lewis 2 – 2 – 0 2 – 5 – 0 La Junta 1 – 5 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Scottsbluff 1 – 6 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Lamar (CO) 0 – 6 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion	1954 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 7 – 0 – 0 10 – 0 – 0 McCook 6 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Mesa (CO) 4 – 1 – 1 6 – 3 – 1 Fort Lewis 3 – 2 – 1 4 – 4 – 1 Pueblo 4 – 3 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Northeastern (CO) 3 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Lamar (CO) 1 – 5 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Scottsbluff 1 – 5 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? La Junta 0 – 7 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion
1955 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 6 – 1 – 0 6 – 3 – 0 Fort Lewis 4 – 1 – 0 7 – 2 – 0 McCook 4 – 1 – 0 6 – 2 – 0 Scottsbluff 3 – 3 – 0 4 – 4 – 1 Pueblo 3 – 3 – 1 3 – 4 – 1 Mesa (CO) 2 – 3 – 0 6 – 3 – 0 La Junta 1 – 6 – 0 2 – 6 – 0 Northeastern (CO) 0 – 5 – 1 2 – 5 – 1 $ – Conference champion	1956 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Mesa (CO) $ 6 – 0 – 0 7 – 2 – 0 Pueblo 5 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? McCook 5 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Trinidad 2 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Fort Lewis 2 – 3 – 0 3 – 6 – 0 Otero 3 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Northeastern (CO) 1 – 5 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Scottsbluff 0 – 6 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion	1957 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 6 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? McCook 5 – 1 – 0 8 – 2 – 0 Mesa (CO) 4 – 1 – 1 7 – 2 – 1 Fort Lewis 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 2 – 1 Otero 3 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Pueblo 1 – 4 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? Scottsbluff 1 – 5 – 0 1 – 8 – 0 Northeastern (CO) 0 – 5 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion
1958 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Otero $ 6 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Mesa (CO) 4 – 1 – 0 8 – 3 – 0 Fort Lewis 4 – 2 – 0 8 – 2 – 0 Trinidad 4 – 3 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? McCook 3 – 3 – 0 6 – 4 – 0 Scottsbluff 2 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Pueblo 2 – 5 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Northeastern (CO) 0 – 6 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion	1959 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Otero + 6 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Trinidad + 6 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Mesa (CO) 4 – 2 – 0 8 – 3 – 0 McCook 3 – 2 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? Pueblo 3 – 3 – 1  ? –  ? –  ? Scottsbluff 2 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Northeastern (CO) 1 – 6 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Fort Lewis 0 – 6 – 0 0 – 8 – 1 + – Conference co-champions	1960 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 6 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? McCook 4 – 2 – 0 8 – 2 – 0 Otero 4 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0 Pueblo 4 – 3 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Northeastern (CO) 3 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Fort Lewis 2 – 4 – 0 3 – 7 – 0 Mesa (CO) 2 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0 Scottsbluff 1 – 5 – 0 6 – 5 – 0 $ – Conference champion
1960 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 6 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? McCook 4 – 2 – 0 8 – 2 – 0 Otero 4 – 3 – 0 5 – 4 – 0 Pueblo 4 – 3 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Northeastern (CO) 3 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Fort Lewis 2 – 4 – 0 3 – 7 – 0 Mesa (CO) 2 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0 Scottsbluff 1 – 5 – 0 6 – 5 – 0 $ – Conference champion	1961 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 6 – 1 – 0 7 – 2 – 0 McCook 5 – 1 – 0 9 – 1 – 0 Northeastern (CO) 5 – 2 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Otero 4 – 3 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Pueblo 3 – 4 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? Mesa (CO) 2 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 1 Fort Lewis 0 – 5 – 0 1 – 7 – 0 Scottsbluff 0 – 5 – 0 4 – 6 – 0 $ – Conference champion	1962 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 5 – 0 – 1 6 – 0 – 2 McCook 3 – 1 – 1 6 – 1 – 1 Mesa (CO) 3 – 2 – 0 6 – 3 – 0 Pueblo 3 – 3 – 0 5 – 3 – 0 Northeastern (CO) 3 – 3 – 0 3 – 5 – 0 Scottsbluff 0 – 4 – 0 4 – 4 – 0 Fort Lewis 0 – 4 – 0 2 – 6 – 0 $ – Conference champion
1963 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T Trinidad $ 3 – 0 – 0 8 – 2 – 0 Northeastern (CO) 2 – 1 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? McCook 1 – 2 – 0 4 – 3 – 0 Scottsbluff 0 – 3 – 0  ? –  ? –  ? $ – Conference champion	1964 Empire Junior College Conference football standings v t e Conf. Overall Team W   L   T W   L   T McCook $ 3 – 0 – 0 7 – 2 – 0 Northeastern (CO) 2 – 1 – 0 5 – 4 – 0 Trinidad 1 – 2 – 0 4 – 6 – 0 Scottsbluff 0 – 3 – 0 3 – 5 – 0 $ – Conference champion

References

1. "Empire Loop Meet Slated for Springs". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Associated Press. November 8, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved February 7, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
2. "Casper and McCook Become Member of Empire Conference". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. May 18, 1952. p. 18. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
3. Dillon, Bob (August 15, 1968). "Bobservations". Odessa American . Odessa, Texas. p. 1B. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
4. "Mesa Finishes League Second". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. November 29, 1948. p. 6. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
5. "Fort Lewis Wins Colorado JC Grid Crown". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 19, 1949. p. 6. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
6. "Pueblo Needs Win Over Trinidad Thanksgiving For Runnerup Honors". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 13, 1950. p. 10. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
7. "Trinidad Seeking To Share Second IN J.C. League". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 20, 1951. p. 8. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
8. "Trinidad, Pueblo Wind Up Empire Conference Nov. 27". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 19, 1952. p. 8. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
9. "Football Results". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. November 29, 1952. p. 6. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
10. "Trinidad Trojans Gather In Empire Loop Grid Title With 40-6 Win Over Pueblo". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 27, 1953. p. 12. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
11. "Trinidad Trojans Humble Pueblo By Count of 64-0". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 26, 1954. p. 11. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
12. "Trinidad Trounces Pueblo by 59-6 For Empire Title". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 25, 1955. p. 10. Retrieved February 4, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
13. "Mesa EJCC Grid Champ". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. November 7, 1956. p. 6. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
14. "Trojans Win Empire Conference; Down Pueblo JUCO 26-6". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 24, 1957. p. 13. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
15. "Cougars To Play Luther In Finale". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. November 7, 1958. p. 6. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
16. "Trinidad Can Share Empire Conference Title with Otero". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Associated Press. November 11, 1959. p. 9. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
17. "Football Scoreboard". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. November 22, 1959. p. 11. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
18. "Trinidad Captures Empire Loop Title". The Daily Sentinel . Grand Junction, Colorado. November 25, 1960. p. 8. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
19. "Trinidad Crushes McCook". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Associated Press. November 19, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
20. Herdt, Ron (November 15, 1962). "Trinidad National JC King". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. p. 9. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
21. "Trojans Rip Indians 21-0". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Associated Press. November 10, 1963. p. 15. Retrieved February 5, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
22. Herdt, Ron (November 21, 1964). "McCook, Attaway Are EJC Leaders". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. p. 9. Retrieved February 6, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
23. "McCook JC Runs Record to 8-0 In 30-7 Triumph". Sunday Journal and Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. Associated Press. October 31, 1965. p. C3. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
24. "Hollinger Injured as McCook Ties 41-41". Scottsbluff Daily Star-Herald . Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Associated Press. November 6, 1966. p. 8. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
25. "Two Tallies by King Help McCook Earn Tie". Sunday Journal and Star . Lincoln, Nebraska. Associated Press. November 5, 1967. p. 2C. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via Newspapers.com .
26. "Upset Victory Worth Empire Title to NMMI". Albuquerque Journal . Albuquerque, New Mexico. November 6, 1970. p. F5. Retrieved February 10, 2025– via Newspapers.com .