While college conference alignments are shifting as frequently as the DeKalb winds, NIU appears to be maintaining a stable course.

The most recent rumors had NIU joining the Mid-American Conference on a football-only basis, along with Akron and other Division I independents.

Akron and NIU are both in the Mid-Continent Conference for most of their sports, not including football. While NIU would be rejoining its former league by aligning with the MAC, football coach Charlie Sadler feels that his program will stay put among the independents.

“I have heard the rumor (NIU joining the MAC) before,” Sadler said, “but that’s totally out of the question.

“I like the independent schedule that we play because we play good competition all across the country,” he said.

But Sadler would not totally rule out the possibility of the NIU football program leaving the dwindling ranks of independents and joining a league.

“I wouldn’t mind being in a conference, there are some we would be interested in. There are benefits,” Sadler said. “It really depends on what conference it is.”

Akron Athletic Director Jim Dennison also maintains that his school will continue via the independent route while not ruling out a move to the MAC or another conference.

“Although we’re in Mid-America territory, we are committed to the Mid-Continent, unless something came up,” Dennison said.

That something apparently includes an invitation to join the MAC.

“We’d be open to discussion, but only with the MAC. We have to look for a conference,” Dennison said.

“We’re in the same situation as NIU,” he added. “You need a conference for fan interest and fan appeal.”