Midwest Conference (MWC)
Knox is a member of the NCAA Division III and the Midwest Conference (MWC), one of the oldest conferences in the nation. Competition in the Conference is intense and spirited, including the local rivalry between Knox and Monmouth College—the sixth-oldest athletic rivalry in the country. The Midwest Conference was founded in 1921 by campus presidents and faculty to establish an interstate league among similarly minded schools that give primary attention to the educational purposes of athletics. Today, member institutions continue to believe that participation in sports enhances the undergraduate experience, providing valuable opportunities in the overall academic program – most significantly, the opportunity for student-athlete growth and the realization of personal potential.
As part of our educational philosophy, members and affiliates of the Midwest Conference maintain that
academic and athletic achievement are not mutually exclusive, purposefully supporting student-athletes in the pursuit of excellence in all that they do. We accomplish this goal, collectively and individually by:
– Valuing and supporting the student-athlete well-being.
– Fostering and modeling sportsmanship.
– Respecting and advancing diversity.
– Celebrating competitive success.
The Conference sponsors baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country, football, men’s indoor track, women’s indoor track, men’s outdoor track, women’s outdoor track, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, men’s swimming and diving, women’s swimming and diving, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, and volleyball. The men’s and women’s golf teams compete as affiliate members of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC).
Member institutions of the now incorporated league as of 2012 are Beloit, Cornell, Grinnell, Illinois College, Knox, Lake Forest, Lawrence, Monmouth, and Ripon. The University of Chicago is an affiliate in football and baseball.
K Club
The K Club is the official booster club of Knox College Athletics—the Team behind our Teams. To set Prairie Fire Athletics apart from other Division III institutions, Knox prioritizes a commitment to athletic facilities, recruiting smart and competitive student-athletes and full-time coaching staff. The K Club helps build unforgettable experiences for our student-athletes that embody the liberal arts.