By Nick McClintock
NORMAL- After more than 55 years, UHigh in Normal will no longer call the Corn Belt Conference home after the 2016-2017 school year. The Pioneers will be joining the nine school Central State Eight Conference.
According to a release from the school, UHigh will be replacing Lincoln High School in the Central State Eight beginning in the 2017-2018 school year. The Central State Eight currently has Chatham Glenwood, Decatur Eisenhower, Decatur Macarthur, Jacksonville, Rochester, Springfield HS, Springfield Lanphier, Springfield Southeast, Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, and departing Lincoln.
UHigh has been in the Corn Belt since its inception in 1950. Athletic Director Wendy Smith says the move was made due to a “changing landscape” in the conference. The Corn Belt was already slated to lose Eureka to the HOI Conference and Mahomet-Seymour to the Apollo over the next two years. UHigh’s departure leaves just five member school left. Smith says the move will incite change within the conference. “With us now officially leaving and joining another conference, that’s going to have an impact.” Smith said. “I know that they will be meeting shortly, to figure what the options are.”
Another thing that will be coming to an end will be the long standing rivalry between Central Catholic and UHigh, at least in football. “We don’t have any non-conference dates.” Smith said. “It’s unfortunate that we find ourselves in that situation.”
Nick McClintock can be reached at Nick.McClintock@cumulus.com
