NAPERVILLE — Concordia University Wisconsin will become the 10th member of the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) after the league’s Council of Presidents officially voted to accept CUW’s application for membership on Friday, Sept. 12. The Falcons will officially join the conference as a core member beginning in 2027-28.

“The CCIW is delighted to welcome Concordia University Wisconsin to our storied conference,” Chair of the CCIW Council of Presidents and Carthage College President John Swallow said. “We look forward to all that their student-athletes will bring to athletic competition and our intercollegiate community."

Located in Mequon, Wis. just 16 miles north of downtown Milwaukee, Concordia University Wisconsin is a private university founded in 1881. CUW became a four-year, accredited institution in 1978 and joined NCAA Division III in 1989. The institution’s enrollment is approximately 6,400, split almost evenly between undergraduate and graduate students. CUW offers nearly 130 academic programs.

"We are excited to officially welcome Concordia University Wisconsin to the CCIW beginning in 2027,” CCIW Executive Director Maureen Harty said. "When we began the search for a new member, we were focused on finding an institution that aligned with our values – competitive success, academic achievement and strong commitment to Division III. From our very first interactions with the CUW administration and athletic staff, it was clear that the Falcons exemplify those qualities."

The Falcons sponsor 30 sports overall – 25 NCAA sports, two emerging NCAA sports and three non-NCAA sports. CUW sponsors 22 of the CCIW’s 26 sports.
 
“This is an exciting new chapter in the life of our university,” said CUW President Dr. Erik Ankerberg. “Membership in the CCIW reflects Concordia’s deep commitment to excellence and to providing our student athletes with opportunities to compete and grow at the highest levels. The CCIW is an excellent fit for our mission, our size, and our aspirations.” 

CUW has been a charter member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) since 2006. The university has also competed as an associate member of the CCIW in men’s wrestling since 2015. CUW will be the first institution to join the CCIW as a core member since Carroll returned to the CCIW after a 24-year absence in 2016, and the first new member to join since 1962.
 
“Our coaches, student-athletes, and campus community are excited for this transition,” said Rob Barnhill, CUW Director of Athletics. “At the same time, we are profoundly appreciative of the NACC. The relationships and rivalries we’ve built there will always be an important part of our story.” 

The CCIW was founded in 1946 in Jacksonville, Ill. When CUW begins full participation in 2027-28, it will be the conference’s 82nd season of competition and 42nd season of women’s sports. The league currently includes nine core member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), Carroll University (Waukesha, Wis.), Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, Ill.), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, Ill.), Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.), North Central College (Naperville, Ill.), North Park University (Chicago, Ill.) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.).

Currently, the CCIW sponsors 26 sports, including baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, men's and women's volleyball, softball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor track & field, men’s and women’s outdoor track & field, men's and women's wrestling and women's bowling.

CCIW institutions have accounted for 60 national championships in NCAA Division III competition, including 19 in men’s cross country, seven in football, six in men’s basketball, six in men’s outdoor track & field, six in men's indoor track & field, three in women's soccer, three in women's outdoor track & field, two in women's basketball, men's volleyball, men’s soccer and men's golf, and one each in baseball and women's indoor track & field.