Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

Last updated

Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
SDS MIAA Sec2 WhiteBg.png
Association NCAA
Founded1888
CommissionerJason Horn (Since Oct. 1, 2024)
Sports fielded
  • 23
    • men's: 12
    • women's: 11
Division Division III
No. of teams9
Headquarters Jamestown, Michigan, United States
Region Midwestern United States
Official website www.miaa.org
Locations
MIAA-USA-states.png

The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the NCAA's Division III. There are nine teams in the conference, all located in the states of Michigan and Indiana. The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association was established on March 24, 1888, making it the oldest college athletic conference in the United States. [1] The current members of the MIAA include Adrian College, Albion College, Alma College, Calvin University, Hope College, Kalamazoo College, University of Olivet, Saint Mary's College of Notre Dame, Indiana, and Trine University, formerly known as Tri-State University. Albion and Olivet are the only charter members remaining in the conference. Former members include such colleges as Michigan State University, previously Michigan Agricultural College, (1888–1907), Eastern Michigan University, previously Michigan State Normal College, (1892–1926), Hillsdale College (1888–1961), and Defiance College (1997–2000).

Contents

History

USA Michigan location map.svg
Green pog.svg
Adrian
Green pog.svg
Albion
Green pog.svg
Alma
Green pog.svg
Calvin
Green pog.svg
Hope
Green pog.svg
Kalamazoo
Green pog.svg
Olivet
Green pog.svg
Saint Mary's
Green pog.svg
Trine
Green pog.svg
Trine
Current members: full members in green, affiliates in blue

The MIAA conference was established on March 24, 1888, and is the oldest collegiate athletic conference in the United States. The conference includes 23 different sports, 12 being men's and 11 being women's. The number of sports with competition is 23 (12 men and 11 women sports). These sports include cross country, football, golf, basketball, tennis, swimming, baseball, volleyball, softball, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, lacrosse, soccer, and men's wrestling. Some past sports that are no longer in competition include bicycle racing, Indian club juggling, archery, and field hockey.

In 1977, league presidents voted to allow post-season participation by member schools if they were so invited by the NCAA Division III Football Committee (Harburn 4). This ended a seventeen-year ban on post-season competition. Albion's 1977 team was the first team chosen to participate. Many teams during the ban did not have the chance to show off their skills as some teams were even ranked in the Top Ten nationally, because of the NCAA rule prohibiting more than two teams from the same region being selected (Harburn 4). Hillsdale College left the conference in 1960 because they accepted a bid to a postseason football bowl game and were subsequently suspended two years by the conference. [2] [3] [4] [5]

Chronological timeline

Winning streaks and distinguished coaches

The MIAA has had its share of many winning seasons, but there are some that may stick out more than others. For example, Kalamazoo College men's tennis has been a part of one that cannot be matched by any other college or university in America. They have won or shared every MIAA Finals championship since 1936, which is 72 consecutive titles (www.miaa.org accessed 5/2/10). The only times they had to share the title was with Hope College in 1962 and 2003. Some other notable championship streaks include Calvin's men cross country 33 years in a row (active); Calvin's women track & field 27 years in a row.

The first MIAA national championship was won by Kalamazoo in 1976 when it won the men's tennis championship (Renner 19). The Kalamazoo College Hornets would later win back-to-back championships in 1986 and 1987 (Renner 19) and again in 1991, 1992, and 1993.

The league has had many coaches throughout its history. There are always some coaches that stand out from the rest. One coach that stands out from the rest is George Acker of Kalamazoo College. Acker was a Phys. Ed Professor and men's tennis coach for 35 years. His impressive resume includes coaching 7 NCAA Division III Championships and 35 MIAA Championships. An impressive 209-1 MIAA career dual-meet record and an overall 537–231 record (www.kzoo.edu/sports/ahof/sport.html accessed October 15, 2008). Acker was the winningest coach in the MIAA. He is followed by John Patnott of Hope College, Tish Loveless (Kalamazoo College), Chester Barnard (Kalamazoo College), and Bob Kent also from Kalamazoo College. [1] [ failed verification ]

Another such coach was Jare T. Klein of Olivet. As coach of the famed Olivet College wrestling program, Olivet teams won 10 league championships (including 9 straight) in 15 seasons. His team's overall dual meet record during his 29-year coaching tenure was 569 - 119. It appears that Klein may have been a victim to his own success as the MIAA dropped wrestling as a league sport in 1984.

Rivalries

Of course a league will have many rivalries and the MIAA is no different. In an interview with Jamie Zorbo, head football coach for Kalamazoo College, talked about the tradition of the MIAA and the rivalries. "It is a competitive league; all the teams that are competing have been for a long time and have a lot of history to play for... Great rivalries are made including Kalamazoo vs. Hope; Albion vs. Kalamazoo and the Calvin vs. Hope rivalry in basketball. These are just a few of them." (Zorbo, Jamie. Personal Interview, October 15, 2008).

The Calvin vs. Hope rivalry has actually made national news. ESPN recently identified the nation's greatest college basketball rivalries. Calvin–Hope rivalry tops the Division III and is ranked fourth in all college hoops. ESPN covered this game in 2005 and a "fan poll" was conducted after the game where 80% of the voters voted for Calvin-Hope as number one. It was also covered in July 2007 in an ESPN series (http://www.hope.edu/pr/athletics/therivalry/index.html accessed October 15, 2008).

Member schools

Current members

The MIAA currently has nine full members, all are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] ColorsFootball?
Adrian College Adrian, Michigan 1859 United Methodist 1,671 Bulldogs 1908;
1937 [b]
  Yes
Albion College Albion, Michigan 1835Nonsectarian1,568 Britons 1888  Yes
Alma College Alma, Michigan 1886 Presbyterian 1,400 Scots 1902  Yes
Calvin University Grand Rapids, Michigan 1876 Christian Reformed 3,746 Knights 1953  Yes
Hope College Holland, Michigan 1866 Reformed 3,150 Flying Dutchmen 1926  Yes
Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo, Michigan 1833Nonsectarian1,436 Hornets 1896  Yes
University of Olivet [c] Olivet, Michigan 1844 United Church of Christ 1,086 Comets 1888;
1952 [d]
  Yes
Saint Mary's College [e] Notre Dame, Indiana 1844 Catholic
(CSC)
2,658 Belles 1997  No
Trine University Angola, Indiana 1884Nonsectarian4,104 Thunder 2004   Yes
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Adrian left the MIAA after the 1921–22 school year, before rejoining in the 1937–38 school year.
  3. Formerly known as Olivet College until 2023.
  4. Olivet left the MIAA after the 1939–40 school year, before rejoining in the 1952–53 school year.
  5. This institution is a women's college, therefore it does not compete in men's sports.

Former members

The MIAA had four former full members, two being public schools and the other two being private: Both public schools are now NCAA Division I members, with one being a member of one of the so-called Power Five conferences.

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Left [b] Current
conference
Defiance College Defiance, Ohio 1850 U.C.C. 1,000 Yellow Jackets 19972000 Wolverine–Hoosier (WHAC) [c]
Hillsdale College Hillsdale, Michigan 1844Nonsectarian1,200 Chargers 18881961 Great Midwest (G-MAC) [d]
Michigan State Normal College [e] Ypsilanti, Michigan 1849Public22,974 Eagles 1892;
1920
1902;
1926 [f]
Mid-American (MAC) [g]
State Agricultural College of Michigan [h] East Lansing, Michigan 1855Public45,520 Spartans 18881907 Big Ten (B1G) [g]
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.
  3. Currently an NAIA athletic conference.
  4. Currently an NCAA Division II athletic conference.
  5. Currently known as Eastern Michigan University since 1959.
  6. Eastern Michigan withdrew from the MIAA from 1902–03 to 1919–20.
  7. 1 2 Currently an NCAA Division I athletic conference.
  8. Currently known as Michigan State University since 1964.

Former affiliate members

The MIAA had two former affiliate members, both were private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoined [a] Left [b] MIAA
sport(s)
Current
conference
Finlandia University Hancock, Michigan 1896 Lutheran ELCA 550 Lions 20182021footballClosed in 2023
Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1973 Lutheran WELS 765 Warriors 20022008 Northern (NACC)
Notes
  1. Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.
  2. Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.

Membership timeline

Finlandia UniversityTrine UniversityWisconsin Lutheran CollegeSaint Mary's College (Indiana)Defiance CollegeCalvin CollegeHope CollegeAdrian CollegeAlma CollegeKalamazoo CollegeEastern Michigan UniversityMichigan State UniversityUniversity of OlivetHillsdale CollegeAlbion CollegeMichigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

 Full member (all sports)  Full member (non-football)  Associate member (football)  Associate member (sport) 

Sports

Conference Sports

SportMen'sWomen's
Baseball Green check.svg
Basketball Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Cross Country Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Football Green check.svg
Golf Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Lacrosse Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Soccer Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Softball Green check.svg
Swimming & Diving Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Tennis Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Track & Field (Indoor)Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Track & Field (Outdoor)Green check.svgGreen check.svg
Volleyball Green check.svg
Wrestling Green check.svg

Men's Sports

SchoolBaseballBasketballCross
Country
FootballGolfLacrosseSoccerSwimming
& Diving
TennisTrack & Field
(Indoor)
Track & Field
(Outdoor)
WrestlingTotal MIAA
Sports
AdrianGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
AlbionGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg12
AlmaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg12
CalvinGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg11
HopeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg11
KalamazooGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svg11
OlivetGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
TrineGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
Totals88888786888590

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the MIAA that are played by MIAA schools

SchoolBass FishingBowlingCornholeEquestrianIce HockeyRowingRugbyVolleyball
AdrianGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg NCHA Green check.svgGreen check.svg MCVL
Albion IHSA [a]
Calvin MCVL
OlivetGreen check.svg MCVL
TrineGreen check.svg NCHA Green check.svg MCVL

Women's Sports

SchoolBasketballCross
Country
GolfLacrosseSoccerSoftballSwimming
& Diving
TennisTrack & Field
(Indoor)
Track & Field
(Outdoor)
VolleyballTotal MIAA
Sports
AdrianGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
AlbionGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
AlmaGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
CalvinGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
HopeGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
KalamazooGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg11
OlivetGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
Saint Mary'sGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svg8
TrineGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgRed x.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg10
Totals9998996988993

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the MIAA that are played by MIAA schools

SchoolAcrobatics
& Tumbling
BowlingCornholeEquestrianFigure
Skating
Ice HockeyRowingRugbySynchronized
Skating
TriathlonWrestling
AdrianGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg IHSA Green check.svg NCHA Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
Albion IHSA [a] Green check.svg
AlmaGreen check.svgGreen check.svg
CalvinGreen check.svg
OlivetGreen check.svg
TrineGreen check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg NCHA Green check.svgGreen check.svgGreen check.svg

Notes

  1. 1 2 Co-Ed

References

  1. 1 2 "History of the MIAA – America's Oldest Collegiate Conference". www.miaa.org. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
  2. "Hillsdale College Quits MIAA". The Owosso Argus-Press. December 15, 1960. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  3. "Tiny Hillsdale Pays Price Of Success". Lansing, Michigan: Dayton Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. December 8, 1960. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  4. "Hillsdale Makes Known Desire To Quit League". Hillsdale, Michigan: The Milwaukee Sentinel. November 22, 1960. Retrieved April 22, 2012.
  5. "Hillsdale's Bowl Play May Stir MIAA Row". Hillsdale, Michigan: The Owosso Argus-Press. November 14, 1960. Retrieved April 22, 2012.