NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) celebrates its 75th year of competition, 35th for women's athletics, in 2020-21.
 
In recognition of 75 Years of Athletic Excellence, the Conference and its member institutions are planning a year-long celebration documenting the achievements of the past and current student-athletes, coaches and administrators who helped shape the conference into one of the top NCAA Division III conferences in the country. 

The conference was formed with nine charter members (Augustana, Carthage, Elmhurst, Illinois College, Illinois Wesleyan, Lake Forest, Millikin, North Central and Wheaton) on April 26, 1946, in Jacksonville, Illinois, and opened competition in the 1946-47 academic year as the College Conference of Illinois (CCI). In 1967, the name was changed to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin to recognize Carthage, which moved to Kenosha, Wis., in 1962, and Carroll, which entered the conference in 1955. North Park became a CCIW member in the fall of 1962. Carroll left the conference after the 1991-92 academic year, but returned in the fall of 2016.

Here are some of the highlights of this year's celebration: 

• Logo: The CCIW 75th Anniversary logo will be displayed on banners at each institution as well as, on conference Champion Banners and t-shirts.
   
• Video: A 75th Anniversary video will be posted to the CCIW's You Tube channel highlighting former student-athletes, coaches and administrators who helped make a positive impact on the conference.
   
• 75 Acts of Kindness: The student-athletes at each CCIW member institution will participate in the 75 Acts of Kindness campaign. The SAAC on each campus will spearhead the efforts to engage student-athletes in campus and community service projects throughout the academic year. The CCIW will recognize the 75 Acts of Kindness during the year on social media and the conference website.
   
• 20-Plus Year Staff Recognition: Each month, the CCIW will recognize athletics staff members who have been a part of their institution and conference for 20 years or longer. Augustana was first recognized on July 1 in a story on CCIW.org.

• Conference Legacies: Throughout the year, the Conference Office will feature some of the pioneers of CCIW Athletics, highlighting each individual's memories of competing in the conference. In addition, member institutions will be looking at ways to recognize prominent alumni athletes.
   
• Moments in History of the CCIW: As we look back over the 75 years, we will highlight some of the greatest team and individual accomplishments in the history of CCIW Athletics.
   
• Game Day Give-a-Ways: Throughout the year, 75^th Anniversary give-a-ways will occur at various sporting events.
   
• Limited Edition Conference Gear: Beginning in September, a limited edition 75^th Anniversary sweatshirt and t-shirt will be available for purchase at select athletic events and online.
  
  Be sure to follow CCIW Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest Conference news.

The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, IL), Carroll University (Waukesha, WI), Carthage College (Kenosha, WI), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, IL), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, IL), Millikin University (Decatur, IL), North Central College (Naperville, IL), North Park University (Chicago, IL) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).