Big North Conference (Michigan)

Big North Conference (Michigan) is a high school athletic conference in Northern Michigan, comprising 13 member schools from Charlevoix County, Cheboygan County, Emmet County, and Otsego County. The conference was established in 1997, with the goal of promoting athletic competition and sportsmanship among its member schools, including Traverse City Central High School, Traverse City West Senior High School, and Petoskey High School. The Big North Conference is affiliated with the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and follows its rules and regulations, similar to other conferences like the Kensington Lakes Activities Association and the Oakland Activities Association. The conference also collaborates with other athletic organizations, such as the National Federation of State High School Associations and the United States Olympic Committee.

● History

The Big North Conference was formed in 1997, when several schools from the Northern Michigan region, including Alpena High School, Cadillac High School, and Gaylord High School, decided to leave their respective conferences and create a new one. The conference started with eight member schools and has since expanded to 13 schools, including Ogemaw Heights High School and Sault Area High School. The conference has undergone several changes over the years, including the addition of new schools and the realignment of divisions, similar to the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten Conference. The Big North Conference has also been recognized for its excellence in athletics, with several of its member schools winning state championships in various sports, such as Cross Country, Football, and Basketball, and competing in events like the Michigan State University Spartan Invitational and the University of Michigan Track and Field Invitational.

● Member Schools

The Big North Conference currently consists of 13 member schools, including Alpena High School, Cadillac High School, Gaylord High School, Petoskey High School, Traverse City Central High School, and Traverse City West Senior High School. Other member schools include Ogemaw Heights High School, Sault Area High School, Cheboygan High School, Charlevoix High School, East Jordan High School, Kalkaska High School, and Grayling High School. These schools are located in Charlevoix County, Cheboygan County, Emmet County, and Otsego County, and are affiliated with organizations like the Michigan Association of School Boards and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The member schools of the Big North Conference also participate in other athletic conferences, such as the Lake Michigan Conference and the Ski Valley Conference, and compete in events like the MHSAA State Championships and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.

● Conference Championships

The Big North Conference awards championships in various sports, including Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Soccer. The conference also sponsors championships in Volleyball, Cross Country, and Track and Field. The conference championships are typically held at the end of each sports season, with the top teams and individuals competing for the championship title, similar to the NCAA Championships and the Olympic Games. The Big North Conference has produced several state champions in various sports, including Petoskey High School, which has won multiple state championships in Football and Basketball, and has competed in events like the Michigan High School Football Championship and the MHSAA Boys Basketball Championship. Other conference members, such as Traverse City Central High School and Cadillac High School, have also won state championships in sports like Soccer and Baseball, and have participated in events like the MHSAA Soccer Championship and the American Legion Baseball.

● Notable Alumni

The Big North Conference has produced several notable alumni who have gone on to achieve success in their respective sports and fields, including University of Michigan athletes like Tom Harmon and Charles Woodson, and Michigan State University athletes like Magic Johnson and Steve Smith. Other notable alumni include National Football League players like Jason Hanson and Jake Long, and National Basketball Association players like Dan Majerle and Shane Battier, who have competed in events like the Super Bowl and the NBA Finals. The conference has also produced several Olympic athletes, including Apolo Ohno and Meryl Davis, who have competed in events like the Winter Olympics and the World Championships. Additionally, the Big North Conference has produced notable alumni in other fields, such as Politics, including Gerald Ford and John Engler, and Entertainment, including James Earl Jones and Tim Allen, who have been recognized for their achievements with awards like the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Emmy Awards.

● Sports Sponsored

The Big North Conference sponsors a variety of sports, including Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country, and Track and Field. The conference also sponsors sports like Golf, Tennis, and Swimming and Diving, and has partnered with organizations like the United States Tennis Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association to promote these sports. The conference member schools also offer other sports and activities, such as Wrestling, Hockey, and Cheerleading, and have competed in events like the MHSAA Wrestling Championship and the National Cheerleaders Association Championship. The Big North Conference is committed to providing its student-athletes with a well-rounded athletic experience, and has been recognized for its excellence in athletics by organizations like the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Michigan High School Athletic Association.