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The Metro Suburban Conference (MSC) was an organization of four high schools in northern Illinois, representing seven communities in that part of the state. These high schools are all members of the Illinois High School Association. The conference began competing during the 2006–07 academic year, with Elmwood Park, Fenton, Ridgewood, and Riverside-Brookfield after departing from the former Suburban Prairie Conference East Division.
| Conference | IHSA |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 |
| Ceased | 2024 |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Region | Northern Illinois |
Two new schools (Timothy Christian and Illiana Christian) were added for the 2009–10 academic year, both previously part of the Private School League.[1] Glenbard South High School was added for 2010–11 following the dissolution of the Western Sun Conference.[2]
During the 2013-2014, seven former members of the Suburban Christian Conference decided to move to the MSC, effective during the 2014-2015 academic year. The remaining five high schools moved to either the Chicago Catholic League or the East Suburban Catholic Conference, effectively ended the SCC's run as one of Illinois' premier non-public athletic conferences.[3]
In 2018-19, Glenbard South left the conferences to join the Upstate Eight Conference while, Aurora Christian, Bishop McNamara, Rosary, and St. Francis joins the conference. Starting in 2019-20, Westmont left the Interstate Eight Conference to join the MSC following with the departure of Fenton High School.
In 2020, Guerin College Preparatory High School permanently closed due to declining enrollment, need in financial aid for students, and lower fundraising.
In 2022, Rosary left the conference to join the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference.
Nine private Catholic/Christian schools left the conference at the beginning of the 2023-24 season: Aurora Christian, Bishop McNamara, Chicago Christian, Timothy Christian, St. Edward, and Wheaton Academy formed the Chicagoland Christian Conference along with Marian Central Catholic, Christ the King, and Chicago Hope Academy while St. Francis joined the Chicago Catholic League with IC Catholic Prep and Aurora Central Catholic.
This shakeup left the conference with Elmwood Park, Ridgewood, Riverside-Brookfield, and Westmont as the only members. The conference roughed out the 2023-24 season with only 4 four members before officially disbanding at season end with Elmwood Park, Ridgewood, and Riverside-Brookfield migrating to the Upstate Eight Conference. Westmont has yet to commit to a conference.
Final Members
edit| School | Town | Nickname | Colors | Enrollment | Joined | Current Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmwood Park High School | Elmwood Park, IL | Tigers | 971.5 (2023) | 2006 | Upstate Eight | |
| Ridgewood High School | Norridge, IL | Rebels | 797.5 (2023) | 2006 | Upstate Eight | |
| Riverside-Brookfield High School | Riverside, IL | Bulldogs | 1,624.5 (2023) | 2006 | Upstate Eight | |
| Westmont High School | Westmont, IL | Sentinels | 377 (2023) | 2019 | Independent |
Previous Members
edit* The school closed in 2020
** The school was previously located in Lansing, IL until 2018
References
edit- ^ Stone, Bill (16 July 2008), "Two teams join Metro Suburban Conference", Chicago Sun-Times, retrieved 26 April 2010,
The Metro Suburban Conference will add two more teams beginning with the 2009-10 school year. Timothy Christian and Illiana Christian will join the conference, which includes Elmwood Park, Ridgewood, Fenton and Riverside-Brookfield ... Timothy and PSL rival Illiana recently finalized a deal to join the current four-team Metro Suburban on a two-year trial basis. The PSL, which has nine schools in the sports that Timothy competes, will remain intact for the 2008-09 school year.
- ^ Schwarz, Orrin (6 November 2009), "Glenbard South to join Metro Suburban", Daily Herald, retrieved 26 April 2010,
Glenbard South announced Friday that it will join the Metro Suburban Conference for the 2010-2011 school year.
- ^ Narang, Bob (2 May 2013), "7 schools leaving Suburban Christian Conference for Metro Suburban", Chicago Tribune, retrieved 5 February 2015