Crossroads League Timeline

 April 10, 1959 – An organizational meeting was held in Huntington, IN, attended by representatives from Huntington College, Concordia College, Tri-State University, and Tech. Richard Klopfenstein was elected to serve as Chairman, while Murray Mendenhall Jr. was chosen as Secretary. Motions were carried to include , , , and as sanctioned sports. Further motions established All-Sports Points systems and regulations for competition. At this time several possible conference names were presented including: North Central Indiana Conference and Mid-Indiana Conference, but no final decision was made at this time. o Richard Klopfenstein spearheads move to create a broad based athletic conference for colleges throughout Indiana sharing faith based heritage and athletic competition. Klopfenstein would serve as the MCC’s first President beginning in 1959 and remain active both in the MCC and at Huntington University where he would serve as Athletic Director and coach. Klopfenstein is widely regarded as the “founding father” of the MCC.

 May 14, 1959 The name Mid-Central College Conference is chosen by a 5-4 vote over Northern Indiana College Conference.

 June 1, 1959 The Mid-Central College Conference Constitution is officially ratified.

 1959-60 Huntington College wins the first MCC All-Sports Trophy. Tennis, Basketball, Golf and Baseball complete the first year of championship play.

 September 17, 1963 Membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics NAIA is granted.

 1964-65 Badminton, Bowling, , Table Tennis, are all hosted as single day tournaments for MCC institutions.

 1965-66 Track & Field officially added as MCC sport.

 1966 Saint Francis College joins the MCC as the 5th member institution

 1967 Soccer officially added as MCC sport.

 1968 the first drafts of a Procedures Manual to govern MCC administration and sports are created.

 Nov. 6, 1969 officially granted membership in MCC.

 1973 Marion College (IWU) officially granted membership in MCC.

 1974 Membership in National Association of Intercollegiate Commissioners registered.

 1979 MCC Membership dues are increased to $200.00 per year.

 May 8,1979 Financial aid limits and regulations are updated to reflect % of institution tuition.

 May 8, 1980 Tri-State University confirms they will leave the MCC, effective for the 1981-82 season.

 May 12, 1980 Saint Francis College submits their intent to withdraw from the MCC beginning with the 1981-82 season siting differences in philosophy of athletic scholarships.

 1980-81 Tic Toc Trophy Shop contracted to provide All-Conference plaques and championship trophies.

 1980-81 Huntington College wins the baseball championship with an 8-0 MCC record.

 September 18, 1980 men’s soccer coaches formally commission referee evaluations for match officials.

 November 5, 1980 Bethel College is formally welcomed to the MCC, and Grace College renews their MCC membership.

 May 27, 1981 In conference meetings member representatives affirm the Christian commitment of the MCC, and reinforce the need for further reaching publicity of the conference. Harold Yoder, acting as the current MCC President, commissions a committee to explore ways to further publicize and disseminate press releases for MCC events.

 September 16, 1981 a non-weighted formula is adopted for an all sports considered for the MCC All- Sports Trophy.

 1981 Grand Rapids Baptist, Concordia Lutheran, and have applications for membership rejected. Concerns about interstate travel halt plans to expand the MCC.

 1981-82 Goshen men’s soccer posts 4-0 MCC record to win Conference Championship.

 November 11,1981 The addition of women’s sports in considered and becomes part of future plans for official MCC sports.

 September 15, 1982 MCC Baseball coaches unanimously vote to accept doubleheader format for all conference competition.

 September 15, 1982 An official invitation is extended to the women’s athletic programs at member institutions to join the MCC commencing with the 1983-84 season. Responses are mixed, with various concerns expressed regarding scholarship limits and the number of sports to be sponsored, and no official action is taken.

 November 9,1982 A graphical logo is commissioned to represent the MCC, all member institution art departments are solicited for submissions.

 March 8,1983 Questions regarding the participation of women’s sports is again brought to the table in MCC meetings, and again institutions are approached.

 1982-83 Coach of the Year Mike Atkinson and the Marion (IWU) Golf team posted a 18-2 MCC Championship winning season, and helped Marion (IWU) claim the MCC All-Sports Trophy for that Year.

 May 10, 1983 The MCC official logo is selected, the state of Indiana with the letters ‘MCC’ in a red, blue, and white color scheme is approved by a 10-8 vote of institution representatives.

 November 9, 1983 MCC representatives recalibrate the financial aid regulations to protect conference competition and maintain the founding spirit of broad based sports competition within the MCC.

 April 2, 1984 A constitutional revision by member Faculty Academic Representatives recognizes Bethel College, Grace College, Goshen College, Huntington University, and Marion College (IWU) as member institutions, and mandated full participation in all 7 MCC sports by the 1986-87 season from all schools.

 September 13, 1984 A written invitation is sent to member athletic directors regarding adding women’s basketball and volleyball. Only 4 institutions respond positively, 1 short of the NAIA required 5 for recognition, and the initiative is put on hold.

 May 5, 1985 Dick Klopfenstein is inducted into the Huntington University Hall of Fame.

 1984-85 Marion College(IWU) Tennis wins the MCC Championship with a 4-0 record.

 May 5, 1986 Tom King of Huntington University is elected to serve as MCC president.

 1985-86 Grace College Men’s Basketball claims MCC with 7-1 record under Coach of the Year Jim Kessler.

 1986 Marian College is first approached for potential membership in the MCC

 1985-86 Bethel College withdraws from the MCC following the season, conference drops to 4 members.

 July 9, 1986 A special meeting is called to consider the future of the MCC. A unanimous decision is made by all institutions represented to be “firmly committed to maintaining a viable and competitive conference.” A reorganization is planned, with initiatives to expand membership, include women’s sports teams, and form a ‘Presidential Advisory Committee’.

 August 25,1986 the special meeting amendments are ratified, including: the reinstatement of Bethel College, requirement of participation in 5 of the 9 MCC sponsored men’s sports, and women’s division created for 1986-87 season.

 September 11, 1986 NAIA accepts MCC women’s basketball champion for postseason competition.

 March 2, 1987 Huntington University claims the first MCC women’s basketball championship, and head coach Lori Culler is selected as the first MCC Coach of the Year. The MCC still lacks the 3 sponsored women’s sports to be recognized by the NAIA as a women’s sports conference.

 May 4, 1987 All-team Academic Excellence adopted from Executive Committee recommendations to expand recognition of student-athletes’ academic achievement.

 1986-87 Huntington University wins All-Sports Trophy

 1987-88 Marion College (IWU) adds varsity team.

 September 14, 1987 Marian College accepted as member of the MCC.

 1987-88 Student admission prices to MCC basketball games is raised from $1.00 to $2.00.

 1987-88 Women’s Basketball ends in a five way tie for first between Bethel, Grace, Huntington Marion (IWU), and Marian.

 1988-89 Marian College wins men’s basketball championship with a perfect 10-0 season.

 May 9, 1988 John Ingold is elected to serve as MCC President, Jim Kessler serves as Vice President.

 May 1988 Marion College is rebranded and renamed as Indiana Wesleyan University.

 September 12, 1988 Softball officially added as MCC sport, 4 member schools participate in the first season on play. The MCC now sponsors 10 sports for both male and female student-athletes.

 May 19,1989 Marks the 30 year anniversary of the Mid-Central College Conference o Commemorated with an 18 hole golf tournament hosted by Indiana Wesleyan.

 1989 Huntington Volleyball and Coach of the Year Mike Swan post a 8-0 record and MCC Championship.

 1989 The current framework for Academic All-Conference awards are adopted to recognize student- athlete excellence in the classroom.

 1990 Current Bethel College men’s basketball coach Mike Lightfoot wins Coach of the Year Honors as his team posts a 9-1 MCC record.

 1990 Lori Culler, of Huntington University, leads her team to a spotless 8-0 MCC record and Coach of the Year recognition.

 May 14, 1990 Dave Roberts (Marian University), Mike Lightfoot (BC) and Lyle Miller (Goshen) are elected as MCC President, Vice President, and Sports Information Director.

 1994-95 is officially granted MCC membership, and the University of Saint Francis rejoins the MCC.

 1994-1995 Bethel College Men’s Basketball wins their first NAIA National Championship.

 1996-97 Total operating expenses for the MCC are reported as just under $32,000.00.

 1996-1997 Bethel College Men’s Basketball wins 2nd NAIA National Championship.

 September 16,1997 A change is considered to the conference’s name, possibilities include: Hoosier State Athletic Conference, Hoosier Collegiate Athletic Conference, Indiana Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, and Hoosier Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. None are chosen and the MCC remains the Mid-Central College Conference.

 November 8, 1997 An “Internet Home Page” is proposed to represent the MCC, to be launched for the 1997-98.

 1998-99 Women’s soccer is added to MCC recognized sports.

 January 11, 1999 The first committee is formed to consider the hiring of a MCC Commissioner to oversee conference operations.

 June 20, 2001 A men’s and women’s combined Sports Information Director position is created to publicize both men’s and women’s sports happenings.

 2001-2002 The NAIA launches its Champions of Character program, the MCC is a early member and proponent of its 5 core values.

 2003-2004 Mike Fratzke (Indiana Wesleyan) is elected to serve as MCC President.

 June 22, 2004 A proposal to add women’s golf as an MCC sport is tabled for later consideration.

 2004-2005 Spring Arbor University joins the conference, and begins MCC competition in men’s and women’s sports.

 September 12, 2005 Membership application for Indiana Tech is considered, but readmission to the MCC is denied.

 March 22, 2006 At the spring MCC meeting agenda items included consideration of Holy Cross, Siena Heights, and Cedarville for membership, SIDHelp is approved by the Athletic Directors Council and is implemented for the official MCC website, and John Grimes of Marian University is voted Athletic Director of the Year for the MCC.

 March 22, 2006 Approval is granted for the search to begin for a MCC Commissioner position.

 2006-2007 3 MCC schools add women’s golf to their list of offered sports.

 2006-2007 Indiana Wesleyan claims 6th straight All-Sports Trophy.

 March 20, 2007 Dr. G. Blair Dowden of Huntington is recognized at the Charles Morris Athletics Administrator of the Year award recipient from the NAIA. Dowden served as the Athletic Director and President for Huntington as well as the Chairman of the Council of Presidents for the MCC from 1997-1999.

 May 1, 2007 The Champions of Character initiative is presented to parents and fans at MCC contests as the conference sought to take the lead in the NAIA program, sending an official release inviting constituents to participate alongside their institution is sent in September of 2007.

 November 6, 2007 The Council of Presidents(COP) Approves Sister Elise Kriss(USF) to lead the search committee to hire a MCC Commissioner, a target date to present a candidate to the COP of April 4, 2008 is set.

 2006-2007 Indiana Wesleyan Women’s Basketball wins the first NAIA DII National Championship in school history.

 January 14, 2008 the MCC Commissioner position is posted and the search begins for the 1st Commissioner.

 January 21, 2008 Richard Klopfenstein passes away at the age of 85. Klopfenstein served in many capacities at Huntington University and for the MCC including 33 seasons as men’s golf coach, 15 seasons as the men’s tennis coach, 13 seasons as the men’s basketball coach, 3 years as the baseball coach, and 1 year as the women’s tennis coach. Klopfenstein won 4 MCC Titles as golf coach, and 3 as the men’s basketball coach. Klopfenstein also spend 25 years as the Athletic Director at Huntington, served as the MCC President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, and NAIA District 21 Executive Committee Representative for the MCC.

 June 9, 2008 J.D. Collins is hired as the first Commissioner of the MCC. Collins, a former basketball referee and CEO of Hartford Concrete Products, takes over as Commissioner as the MCC enters its 50th season of competition in 2008-2009.

 September 4, 2008 Eric Smith is hired as MCC Sports Information Director. Smith would serve for 2 separate stints as SID and oversee the implementation of many updates to MCC services including social media and website redesign.

 August 19, 2009 The MCC makes it’s debut on social media, launching a conference Twitter account to update fans about conference sporting results.

 October 22, 2009 Taylor, Huntington, and Bethel recognized by NAIA as members of NAIA’s top 25 winningest programs. Four MCC coaches are also recognized as being within the top 25 winningest coaches in the NAIA. The NAIA recognized Mike Lightfoot of Bethel, Paul Patterson of Taylor, Jim Kessler of Grace, and John Grimes of Marian.

 December 8, 2009 Saint Francis adds men’s tennis program to begin competition in the 2010-11 season.

 2009-2010 The University of Saint Francis Men’s Basketball Team wins the 2010 NAIA National Championship.

 November 30, 2010 Mount Vernon Nazarene University approved as 10th member of MCC.

 December, 2010 Spring Arbor University, Indiana Wesleyan, and Mount Vernon Nazarene add women’s golf teams for competition starting in the 2011-12 season.

 April 12, 2011 Bethel men’s soccer sets Guinness World Record for “longest game of futsal” for a 35 hour, non-stop, futsal match held to raise money for an upcoming missions trip.

 July 1, 2011 Goshen to add women’s golf for 2012-13 season.

 August 16, 2011 Joe Voldrich is appointed MCC Sports Information Director and holds position for 2 years.

 September 22, 2011 The 2011-2015 MCC Strategic Plan is released. Goals for long term development and improvement to the conference are outlined, and clarification is provided for the Vision and Mission Statement of the MCC. Also included is an Assistant Commissioner position to be filled before the 2012-13 season.

 November 30, 2011 Nathan Miller is hired as the first MCC Assistant Commissioner. Objectives of this position include advancing the MCC’s Strategic Plan Initiatives and improving the conferences corporate partnerships.

 January, 2012 Taylor and Indiana Wesleyan add women’s golf, plan inaugural season for 2012-13 season.

 June 15, 2012 The first annual MCC Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards are released for the 2011-12 season. The inaugural recipients were Kelsey Pritchard of Taylor and Caleb Kennedy of Huntington.

 2011-12 Several new partnerships are undertaken with local businesses surrounding MCC institutions as part of the implementation of the MCC Strategic Plan. Advertising campaigns include sponsorships for MCC Tournaments and website banners.

 June 27, 2012 Mid-Central College Conference unveils new name and brand identity. The Crossroads League represents the new brand identity for the league chosen after a careful and thorough rebranding process initiated by Commissioner Collins with the approval of the Council of Presidents.

 October 5, 2012 Crossroads League web store is launched in partnership with Lids Team Sports to provide official Crossroads League apparel.

 2012-13 Indiana Wesleyan Women’s Basketball capture the 2013 NAIA DII National Championship for the second time.

 May 9, 2013 Nathan Bellman is hired as the Crossroads League Assistant Commissioner and also takes on Sports Information Director responsibilities.

 June 7, 2013 Nathan Martin Named 2012-13 Crossroads League Achievement Award winner for his outstanding performances in Track and Field competition while at Spring Arbor.

 June 7, 2013 Brady Klotz of Bethel Men’s Golf and Paige Smith of Indiana Wesleyan Women’s Basketball as the 2012-13 Crossroads League Male and Female Athlete of the Year winners.

 August 8, 2013 Angie Fincannon, Taylor University Athletic Director, is recognized by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators as the 2013 Administrator of the Year.

 2013-14 the Crossroads League will complete its 54th season of competition, and continues to be a leading athletic conference in the NAIA.

 March 18, 2014 Indiana Wesleyan Men’s Basketball wins NAIA DII MBB National Championship

 March 18, 2014 Saint Francis Women’s Basketball wins NAIA DII WBB National Championship

 May 10, 2014 Crossroads League Hosts NAIA Opening Round Baseball National Tournament at IWU

 May 15, 2014 Goshen College Athletics unveils new logo

 June 5, 2014 Geandra Almeida of Bethel College and Riley Swanson of Mount Vernon Nazarene University selected Crossroads League Female & Male Student-Athletes of the Year

 June 5, 2014 Marian’s Geoff Sherman named Crossroads League SID of the Year

 June 6, 2014 Indiana Wesleyan wins 13th straight Crossroads League All-Sports Trophy

 June 6, 2014 Huntington’s Lori Culler named Crossroads League Athletic Director of the Year

 August 1, 2014 Huntington adds women’s golf for 2015-16 season

 August 26, 2014 Grace adds women’s golf for 2015-16 season

 September 9, 2014 Inaugural Media Day for Men’s and Women’s Basketball at Huntington University

 September 10, 2014 Crossroads League Champions of Character Summit held at Grace College

 May 6, 2015 Crossroads League Commissioner J.D. Collins Resigns after 7 years as Commissioner to take the NCAA’s National Coordinator of Men’s Basketball Officiating position.

 May 22, 2015 Michael Moffitt wins national championship in the High Jump in NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championship

 May 31, 2015 Indiana Wesleyan wins 14th straight Crossroads League All-Sports Trophy

 June 1, 2015 Assistant Commissioner Nate Bellman takes over as “Interim Commissioner” of the Crossroads League.

 June 5, 2015 Taylor’s Alex Berends and Bethel’s Matt Schauss selected Crossroads League Female and Male Student-Athletes of the Year

 June 8, 2015 Indiana Wesleyan’s Mark DeMichael named Crossroads League Athletic Director of the Year

 June 8, 2015 Taylor’s Josh DeGraaf named League Achievement Award Winner

 June 9, 2015 Taylor’s Seth Mikel named Crossroads League SID of the Year

 July 21, 2015 NAIA Announces that Taylor University led the NAIA with 18 NAIA Scholar-Teams in 2014-15

 July 30, 2015 Tom Seitz named Crossroads League Commissioner

 October 12, 2015 Crossroads League Champions of Character Summit held at Indiana Wesleyan

 December 5, 2015 ESPN Visits Taylor University campus for Silent Night Feature

 December 5, 2015 Spring Arbor University wins NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship

 February 15, 2016 Indiana Wesleyan adds women’s and diving for 2016-17

 March 9, 2016 Grace Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Kessler inducted into NAIA Hall of Fame

 March 15, 2016 Marian University wins NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship

 March 15, 2016 Indiana Wesleyan University wins NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship

 April 1, 2016 Indiana Wesleyan University announces it will add football in 2018

 May 26, 2016 Indiana Wesleyan wins 15th straight Crossroads League All-Sports Trophy

 May 31, 2016 Marian’s Taylor Killings is National Champion in the 110 Meter Hurdles at the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships

 June 14, 2016 Nate Bellman resigns as Crossroads League Sports Information Director to accept the full-time athletic director position at Fredericktown High School

 June 22, 2016 Indiana Wesleyan’s Mark DeMichael named Crossroads League AD of the Year

 June 23, 2016 Grace’s Josh Neuhart named Crossroads League SID of the Year

 June 23, 2016 Austin Fox of Saint Francis named the Crossroads League Male Athlete of the Year

 June 24, 2016 Bethany Balcer of Spring Arbor named the Crossroads League Female Athlete of the Year

 July 15, 2016 Seth Mikel named Crossroads League Sports Information Director

 July 20, 2016 Crossroads League has 138 teams named as NAIA Scholar-Team

 November 1, 2016 Mount Vernon Nazarene announces re-instatement of tennis programs for fall of 2017

 December 3, 2016 Spring Arbor finishes runner-up at NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship

 March 4, 2017 Marian’s Taylor Killings wins third individual NAIA National Championship with second-straight 60-meter hurdles title

 March 4, 2017 Marian’s Presley Martin wins the NAIA Indoor National Championship in the 800- meter run

 March 3, 2017 Bethel’s Danielle Wojciechowski becomes program’s first individual Indoor National Champion after claiming NAIA Indoor Championship in pole vault

 March 14, 2017 Marian claims second-straight NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship

 May 24, 2017 Larry DeSimpelare announced as Crossroads League Commissioner

 May 25, 2017 Bethel’s Danielle Wojciechowski becomes program’s first individual Outdoor National Champion after claiming NAIA Outdoor Championship in pole vault

 June 7, 2017 Marian claims first-ever Crossroads League All-Sports Championship, ending IWU’s streak of 15-straight honors

 June 20, 2017 Taylor’s Seth Mikel named Crossroads League SID of the Year

 June 20, 2017 Grace’s Chad Briscoe Named Crossroads League AD of the Year

 June 21, 2017 Indiana Wesleyan’s Lane Mahurin named Crossroads League Male Athlete of the Year

 June 21, 2017 Spring Arbor’s Bethany Balcer named Crossroads League Female Athlete of the Year

 July 27, 2017 Crossroads League has 136 teams honored as NAIA Scholar-Teams

 December 2, 2017 Spring Arbor wins second NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship in three years and makes third-straight appearance in title match

 March 3, 2018 Bethel’s Erik Escobedo (weight throw) and Jordan Downs (long jump) win NAIA Individual National Championships in their respective event to lead Bethel to fifth-place finish

 March 13, 2018 Indiana Wesleyan secures third NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship in five years with 84-71 win over fellow Crossroads League foe, Saint Francis. Greg Tonagel named NAIA Division II National Coach of the Year. Kyle Mangas named NAIA Division II Most Oustanding Player