FCS Realignment: Western Illinois to join Ohio Valley Conference

Western Illinois is joining the Ohio Valley Conference, both parties announced Friday. 

The move puts all Leatherneck sports in one home. WIU currently competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, with its Olympic sports in the Summit League.

The move becomes effective July 1, but WIU football will play one final season in the MVFC.

“We are delighted Western Illinois has decided to join the OVC,” said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “The WIU athletics programs have long competed against OVC institutions given the similarity of programs and geographic proximity. Accordingly, there is a high-level of comfort and excitement about the Leathernecks becoming part of the OVC community. We cannot wait to extend a warm welcome to WIU’s student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans.” 

The OVC will be a more appropriate home for Western Illinois football. MVFC commissioner Patty Viverto recently boasted her conference as the SEC of the FCS, and with perennial champion North Dakota State plus reigning champ South Dakota State, it's hard to argue otherwise. WIU, meanwhile, suffered through an 0-11 season in 2022 and last enjoyed a winning season in 2017. 

Joining the OVC will enhance Western Illinois' natural rivalry with Eastern Illinois. 

"This represents a new start, and a new era for Leatherneck Athletics against some old rivalries, as well as some new teams in our geographic footprint," said Western Illinois AD Paul A. Bubb. "When you look at the schools in the Ohio Valley Conference you see schools which are similar in enrollment, the size of communities where they exist, the academic programs they offer, and the athletic budgets each has to work with at the Division I level."

The Ohio Valley is headquartered out of Nashville but has schools in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.