Big 8 Conference (Missouri)

The Big Eight Conference is an athletic conference comprising medium-size high schools located in the Ozarks of southwest Missouri. The conference members are mostly based around the Joplin area and are located in the counties of Barry, Barton, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald and Newton.

History

1928

The conference was established as the Southwest Activities Association but was known as the Big 10. Founding members were: Aurora, Carthage, Joplin, Lamar, Monett, Mt. Vernon, Neosho, Nevada, Springfield and Webb City.

1953

The Big 10 changed to the Big 9 when Springfield and Joplin left the conference and Cassville was added.

1963

The Big 10 was re-established when Carl Junction was added.

1976

The Big 10 added McDonald County, East Newton and Seneca to form the Big 13 Conference.

1982

Joplin (Memorial) lured Neosho, Webb City, Carthage, McDonald County and Nevada to form the Southwest Conference. The remaining schools formed the Big 8.

2013

The Big 8 Conference voted to add McDonald County as its ninth member effective in July of 2013.

List of member schools

School Team Name Colors Town County School Enrollment (2014) Primary MSHSAA class*
Aurora Houn' Dawgs/ Lady Houns           Aurora Lawrence 592 3
Carl Junction (Lady) Bulldogs           Carl Junction Jasper 962 4
Cassville Wildcats / LadyCats           Cassville Barry 570 3
East Newton Patriots           Granby Newton 475 3
Lamar Tigers           Lamar Barton 404 2
McDonald County Mustangs           Anderson McDonald 1125 4
Monett Cubs           Monett Barry 724 3
Mt. Vernon Mountaineers           Mt. Vernon Lawrence 477 3
Seneca Indians           Seneca Newton 460 3

State championships

Aurora Houn' Dawgs

Cassville Wildcats

East Newton Patriots

Joplin Eagles

Lamar Tigers

McDonald County

Monett Cubs

Mt. Vernon Mountaineers

Nevada

Seneca Indians

Springfield Central

Neighboring Conferences

See also

External links