In conjunction with the 85th Annual NCAA Convention, the Mid-Continent Conference Council of Delegates voted unanimously to sponsor and conduct championships for women’s athletics starting in 1992-93.

The announcement was made by league President David Outcalt, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and M-C Conference Commissioner Jerry Ippoliti Jan. 10.

“This is a monumental step in the total development of the Mid-Continent Conference,” Ippoliti said. “This will blend in with the positive future and great potential of this conference.”

Formed in 1982, the M-C Conference currently administers league competition and championship events in nine men’s NCAA Division I sports.

Current M-C membership includes Akron, Cleveland State, Eastern Illinois, Illinois-Chicago, Northern Iowa, NIU, Valparaiso, Western Illinois and Wisconsin-Green Bay.

All nine member institutions must decide on the new conference affiliation for their respective women’s programs by Feb. 15. It is expected the NIU Athletic board will consider this invitation at its Wednesday meeting.

Four NIU women’s intercollegiate athletic programs, volleyball, basketball, softball and tennis presently belong to the North Star Conference.

“This is a major step which will permit Northern Illinois University an opportunity to strengthen our women’s athletic program,” said NIU President John La Tourette. “The action taken by the Mid-Continent Conference constitutes a strong commitment to maintaining and/or achieving NCAA automatic tournament bids in women’s volleyball, women’s basketball and softball.

“In addition, an integrated Mid-Continent Conference featuring both men’s and women’s programs, naturally advances all our programs and gives the institution strong identity.