NAPERVILLE — The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced on Friday, Sept. 12, that Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) has been accepted as the league's 10th core member institution, beginning competition in the 2027-28 academic year.

The addition was approved by the CCIW Council of Presidents, which is chaired by Carthage College President John Swallow.

"The CCIW is delighted to welcome Concordia University Wisconsin to our storied conference," Swallow said. "We look forward to all that their student-athletes will bring to athletic competition and our intercollegiate community."

Located in Mequon, Wisconsin, just 16 miles north of downtown Milwaukee, CUW was founded in 1881 and became an accredited four-year institution in 1978. The university, with an enrollment of approximately 6,400 students, joined NCAA Division III in 1989 and currently sponsors 30 sports, 22 of which align with the CCIW's 26 championship offerings.

CUW has been a charter member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) since 2006 while competing in the CCIW as an associate member in men's wrestling since 2015. Its transition to full membership will mark the first new addition to the league since Carroll rejoined in 2016.

"This is an exciting new chapter in the life of our university," CUW President Dr. Erik Ankerberg said. "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."

Carthage, which has been a proud member of the CCIW since 1961, will soon compete alongside CUW and the other core institutions: Augustana (Ill.), Carroll, Elmhurst, Illinois Wesleyan, Millikin, North Central (Ill.), North Park and Wheaton.

When CUW begins competition in 2027-28, it will coincide with the CCIW's 82nd season of intercollegiate athletics and its 42nd season of women's sports.