(6-9-21) The ACAC (Allen County Athletic Conference) presently has seven member schools, only two are located in Adams County. Most high school leagues strive to have at least eight members…or at least an even number of members to help with scheduling (especially in football).

Over the years Indiana school consolidation has been one of the main causes for numerous membership changes in the conference and the rise of enrollments have changed with the growth of several schools located in the outskirts of Ft. Wayne.

A look at the ACAC

  • current members (enrollment) – Adams Central (371), Bluffton (478), Heritage (593), Jay County (987), South Adams (352), Southern Wells (252) and Woodlan (525)
  • Last school to join – Jay County (2014)
  • Last school to leave – Leo (2015)

When the ACAC added Jay County in 2015 it became the largest school of the current members, over 700 more students then the smallest school, Southern Wells. The Patriots replaced Leo who moved in 2014 to the NE8, the Lions presently have an enrollment 989 (same as Jay County).

The problem for the conference is finding possible members that fit the majority of the current membership demographics.

The ACAC member schools, like any stateline located conference, are cut off for possibilities of locating new members thanks to the Ohio border.

The ending of the recent pandemic could see some conferences making changes due to the scheduling issues it caused with COVID 19 cancellations.

It doesn’t seem to be an issue at this time with the ACAC, but with conference changes sometimes it just sneaks up on you in various ways.

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