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 Indiana Tech. Richard Klopfenstein was elected to serve as Chairman, while Murray Mendenhall Jr. was chosen as Secretary. Motions were carried to include Basketball, Baseball, Golf, and Tennis 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, Volleyball, 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 Goshen College 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 Spring Arbor University 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 softball 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 Taylor University 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.