Lake Athletic Conference
Encyclopedia
The Lake Athletic Conference (LAC) was a high school athletic conference serving members of the Indiana High School Athletic Association
Indiana High School Athletic Association
The Indiana High School Athletic Association is the arbiter of interscholastic competition among public and private high schools in the State of Indiana. It monitors a system that divides athletically-competing high schools in Indiana based on the school's enrollment. The divisions, known as...

. The LAC existed in multiple guises from the fall of 1993 through the spring of 2007, at which time it comprised sixteen member high schools. The conference took its name from all its early members being located in Lake County, Indiana
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...


History

The origins of the Lake Athletic Conference can be traced to the Indiana Lake Shore Conference. The Indiana Lake Shore Conference was formed in 1969 by city schools in East Chicago
East Chicago, Indiana
East Chicago is a city in Lake County, Indiana. The population was 29,698 at the 2010 census.-Geography:East Chicago is located at ....

, Hammond
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....

, and Whiting, Indiana
Whiting, Indiana
Whiting is a city located in the Chicago Metropolitan Area in Lake County, Indiana, which was founded in 1889. The city is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. It is roughly 16 miles from the Chicago Loop and just short of two miles from Chicago's South Side. Whiting is home to Whiting...

. These eight schools were: East Chicago Roosevelt, East Chicago Washington, Hammond High, Hammond Clark, Hammond Gavit, Hammond Morton, Hammond Tech, and Whiting High. In 1973 Whiting left the conference in football but remained a member in other sports. The league added Bishop Noll Institute
Bishop Noll Institute
Bishop Noll Institute is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Hammond, Indiana. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary.-Background:...

, a Catholic school located in Hammond. Hammond Tech was closed in 1981. In 1986 EC Roosevelt and EC Washington were merged to form East Chicago Central
East Chicago Central High School
EC Central High School is a high school in the industrial city of East Chicago, Indiana, United States, located in the Chicago metropolitan area. Its address is 1100 W. Columbus Drive, on the corner of Columbus Drive and Indianapolis Boulevard...

; this new school departed the Lake Shore Conference the following year.

The members of the Lake Shore Conference were joined by four members of the recently disbanded Lake Suburban Conference
Lake Suburban Conference
The Lake Suburban Conference was a high school athletic conference serving schools in the Indiana High School Athletic Association. The conference was formed in 1970 and disbanded in 1992. During the majority of its existence the conference was composed of seven teams...

 in the fall of 1993. The growth of Crown Point and Lake Central
Lake Central High School
Lake Central High School is located in St. John, Indiana, USA for students in grades nine through twelve. In the 2005-06 academic year, it had an enrollment of 3,014, which puts it near the top of list of Indiana high schools in terms of enrollment. Its students come from the towns of St...

 high schools, and their subsequent departure from the Lake Suburban Conference, left the conference's remaining members looking for a new home. Calumet High School
Calumet High School (Gary)
Calumet High School is a four year public high school of the Lake Ridge Schools Corporation in unincorporated Lake County, Indiana, United States, near the city of Gary. The school is now off probation from the state, and has started a New Tech program....

, Griffith Senior High School, Highland High School
Highland High School (Highland, Indiana)
Highland High School is a public high school located in Highland, Indiana. It is part of the School Town of Highland. The school was found in 1960, and also has Highland Middle School attached to it...

, and Munster High School
Munster High School
Munster High School is located at 8808 Columbia Avenue in the town of Munster, Indiana, in the United States. It is owned and operated by the School Town of Munster. Munster High School serves as the only high school for the Munster School District and has a long history of educational achievement...

 merged with the six Indiana Lake Shore Conference members to form the Lake 10 Conference.

For football, the conference was split into two divisions based on enrollment. The larger schools formed the Black Division, while the smaller schools were the Blue Division. The black teams were Bishop Noll, Hammond High, Hammond Morton, Highland, and Munster. The blue teams were Calumet, Griffith, Hammond Clark, Hammond Gavit, and Whiting. As expansion occurred, the divisions were to be used in basketball and baseball as well.

The first expansion took place for the fall of 1998. At this time the conference also changed its name to the Lake Athletic Conference. Former Lake Suburban member Lowell
Lowell Senior High School (Lowell, Indiana)
Lowell Senior High School, or LHS is a four-year public high school located in Lowell, Indiana, United States. Lowell Senior High is located at the corner of Commercial Avenue , and Holtz Road. The official mascot is the Lowell Red Devils...

, along with Lake Station, joined from the shuttering Northwest Hoosier Conference. Additionally, Andrean
Andrean High School
Andrean High School is a coeducational Catholic college preparatory school located in Merrillville, Indiana. The school was founded in 1959, and named after the first bishop of the diocese of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary, Andrew Grutka...

, which had been independent for over twenty years, entered the LAC. Andrean and Lowell joined the Black Division, which changed to also include Griffith, formerly in the Blue Division. This bumped Hammond Morton and Hammond Noll down to the Blue Division, which now also included Lake Station.

Early in 2001 a vote by LAC members allowed for expansion to sixteen teams. This took place going into the 2003-2004 school year. Three schools became members the LAC, setting the roster for its final four years of existence. Joining the Lake Athletic Conference were Hobart, Kankakee Valley, and Wheeler. This growth also expanded membership beyond the boundaries of Lake County; Kankakee Valley is located in Jasper County
Jasper County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,043 people, 10,686 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 11,236 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...

 and Wheeler lies in Porter County
Porter County, Indiana
Porter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 164,343. Much of the population growth has to do with the expansion of the Chicago Metropolitan Area eastward into Indiana. The county seat is Valparaiso...

.

In 2006 it was announced the LAC would disband following the 2006-'07 school year. The schools would split into three conferences. The Northwest Crossroads Conference comprises Andrean, Griffith, Highland, Hobart, Kankakee Valley, Lowell, and Munster. The Greater South Shore Conference is home to Bishop Noll, Calumet, Lake Station, Wheeler, and Whiting; joining these schools are Michigan City Marquette Catholic, North Newton, and River Forest; and South Central, a member of the Porter County Conference, joined in football only, as Marquette does not have a football team. The Hammond City Schools - Clark, Gavit, Hammond High, and Morton - formed the Great Lakes Athletic Conference, after failing to find acceptance in another conference.

Black Division

School Common Name Mascot Location Year Joined Current Conference 2007 Enrollment
Andrean High School
Andrean High School
Andrean High School is a coeducational Catholic college preparatory school located in Merrillville, Indiana. The school was founded in 1959, and named after the first bishop of the diocese of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary, Andrew Grutka...

Andrean Fighting '59ers Merrillville
Merrillville, Indiana
Merrillville is a town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 35,246 at the 2010 census. Merrillville is located in the east-central portion of Lake County.-Geography:Merrillville is located at ....

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1998 Northwest Crossroads
Northwest Crossroads Conference (IHSAA)
The Northwest Crossroads Conference is a seven-member IHSAA-sanctioned athletic conference. Six of the seven institutions are in Lake County, while the seventh, Kankakee Valley, is in neighboring Jasper County. This conference was created in 2007, following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic...

671
Griffith Senior High School Griffith Panthers Griffith
Griffith, Indiana
Griffith is a town in Calumet and St. John townships, Lake County, Indiana. It is a part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 16,893 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Northwest Crossroads
Northwest Crossroads Conference (IHSAA)
The Northwest Crossroads Conference is a seven-member IHSAA-sanctioned athletic conference. Six of the seven institutions are in Lake County, while the seventh, Kankakee Valley, is in neighboring Jasper County. This conference was created in 2007, following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic...

961
Hammond High School Hammond Wildcats Hammond
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Great Lakes Athletic
Great Lakes Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
A four-member IHSAA-sanctioned conference located entirely within Lake County. In fact all members are in the city of Hammond. The conference is among the youngest in the state, created in 2007 following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic Conference and after failing to find acceptance in another...

1111
Hobart High School Hobart Brickies Hobart
Hobart, Indiana
Hobart is home to many thriving businesses in its downtown shopping district, including the historic Art Theatre.Hobart is also home to the Westfield Southlake Shopping Mall and many surrounding retailers and restaurants, although most businesses are required to list their addresses as Merrillville...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

2003 Northwest Crossroads
Northwest Crossroads Conference (IHSAA)
The Northwest Crossroads Conference is a seven-member IHSAA-sanctioned athletic conference. Six of the seven institutions are in Lake County, while the seventh, Kankakee Valley, is in neighboring Jasper County. This conference was created in 2007, following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic...

1249
Highland High School
Highland High School (Highland, Indiana)
Highland High School is a public high school located in Highland, Indiana. It is part of the School Town of Highland. The school was found in 1960, and also has Highland Middle School attached to it...

Highland Trojans Highland
Highland, Lake County, Indiana
Highland is a town in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 23,727 at the 2010 census. The town was incorporated on April 4, 1910...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Northwest Crossroads
Northwest Crossroads Conference (IHSAA)
The Northwest Crossroads Conference is a seven-member IHSAA-sanctioned athletic conference. Six of the seven institutions are in Lake County, while the seventh, Kankakee Valley, is in neighboring Jasper County. This conference was created in 2007, following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic...

1224
Lowell Senior High School Lowell Red Devils Lowell
Lowell, Indiana
-Demographics:At the 2000 census, there were 7,505 people, 2,697 households and 2,030 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,839.2 per square mile . There were 2,809 housing units at an average density of 688.4 per square mile...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1998 Northwest Crossroads
Northwest Crossroads Conference (IHSAA)
The Northwest Crossroads Conference is a seven-member IHSAA-sanctioned athletic conference. Six of the seven institutions are in Lake County, while the seventh, Kankakee Valley, is in neighboring Jasper County. This conference was created in 2007, following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic...

1206
Oliver P. Morton Memorial High School Hammond Morton Governors Hammond
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Great Lakes Athletic
Great Lakes Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
A four-member IHSAA-sanctioned conference located entirely within Lake County. In fact all members are in the city of Hammond. The conference is among the youngest in the state, created in 2007 following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic Conference and after failing to find acceptance in another...

1159
Munster High School
Munster High School
Munster High School is located at 8808 Columbia Avenue in the town of Munster, Indiana, in the United States. It is owned and operated by the School Town of Munster. Munster High School serves as the only high school for the Munster School District and has a long history of educational achievement...

Munster Mustangs Munster
Munster, Indiana
Munster is a town located in North Township, Lake County, in Northwest Indiana in the United States. This bedroom community lies in the Chicago metropolitan area, approximately southeast of the Chicago Loop, and shares municipal boundaries with Hammond to the north, Highland to the east, Dyer and...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Northwest Crossroads
Northwest Crossroads Conference (IHSAA)
The Northwest Crossroads Conference is a seven-member IHSAA-sanctioned athletic conference. Six of the seven institutions are in Lake County, while the seventh, Kankakee Valley, is in neighboring Jasper County. This conference was created in 2007, following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic...

1637

Blue Division

School Common Name Mascot Location Year Joined Current Conference 2007 Enrollment
Bishop Noll Institute
Bishop Noll Institute
Bishop Noll Institute is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Hammond, Indiana. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary.-Background:...

Bishop Noll Warriors Hammond
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Greater South Shore
Greater South Shore Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
The Greater South Shore Conference is an eight-member Indiana High School Athletic Association athletic conference spanning Lake, La Porte, Newton, and Porter Counties in Northwest Indiana. A ninth member, South Central participates only in football, otherwise participating in the Porter County...

468
Calumet High School
Calumet High School (Gary)
Calumet High School is a four year public high school of the Lake Ridge Schools Corporation in unincorporated Lake County, Indiana, United States, near the city of Gary. The school is now off probation from the state, and has started a New Tech program....

Calumet Warriors Calumet Township
Calumet Township, Lake County, Indiana
Calumet Township is one of eleven townships in Lake County, Indiana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 104,258.Cities and Towns*Gary*Griffith-External links:* *...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Greater South Shore
Greater South Shore Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
The Greater South Shore Conference is an eight-member Indiana High School Athletic Association athletic conference spanning Lake, La Porte, Newton, and Porter Counties in Northwest Indiana. A ninth member, South Central participates only in football, otherwise participating in the Porter County...

647
Donald E Gavit Jr./Sr. High School Hammond Gavit Gladiators Hammond
Whiting, Indiana
Whiting is a city located in the Chicago Metropolitan Area in Lake County, Indiana, which was founded in 1889. The city is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. It is roughly 16 miles from the Chicago Loop and just short of two miles from Chicago's South Side. Whiting is home to Whiting...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Great Lakes Athletic
Great Lakes Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
A four-member IHSAA-sanctioned conference located entirely within Lake County. In fact all members are in the city of Hammond. The conference is among the youngest in the state, created in 2007 following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic Conference and after failing to find acceptance in another...

852
George Rogers Clark Jr./Sr. High School Hammond Clark Pioneers Hammond
Hammond, Indiana
Hammond is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Chicago metropolitan area. The population was 80,830 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hammond is located at ....

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Great Lakes Athletic
Great Lakes Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
A four-member IHSAA-sanctioned conference located entirely within Lake County. In fact all members are in the city of Hammond. The conference is among the youngest in the state, created in 2007 following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic Conference and after failing to find acceptance in another...

1,017
Kankakee Valley High School Kankakee Valley Kougars Wheatfield
Wheatfield, Indiana
Wheatfield is a town in Wheatfield Township, Jasper County, Indiana, United States. The population was 853 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Wheatfield is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....

, Jasper County
Jasper County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,043 people, 10,686 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 11,236 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...

2003 Northwest Crossroads
Northwest Crossroads Conference (IHSAA)
The Northwest Crossroads Conference is a seven-member IHSAA-sanctioned athletic conference. Six of the seven institutions are in Lake County, while the seventh, Kankakee Valley, is in neighboring Jasper County. This conference was created in 2007, following the disbandment of the Lake Athletic...

1185
Thomas A. Edison Junior-Senior High School
Thomas A. Edison Junior-Senior High School
Thomas A. Edison Junior-Senior High School is a six year public junior and senior high school of the Lake Station Community School Corporation in Lake Station, Indiana, United States. The school serves most of Lake Station.- References :*...

Lake Station Eagles Lake Station
Lake Station, Indiana
Lake Station is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 12,572 at the 2010 census.-History:An early depot stop on the Michigan Central Railroads Detroit to Chicago line through the Calumet region, the village was first named when George Earle mapped out a town of about in...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1998 Greater South Shore
Greater South Shore Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
The Greater South Shore Conference is an eight-member Indiana High School Athletic Association athletic conference spanning Lake, La Porte, Newton, and Porter Counties in Northwest Indiana. A ninth member, South Central participates only in football, otherwise participating in the Porter County...

426
Wheeler High School Wheeler Bearcats Union Township
Union Township, Porter County, Indiana
Union Township is one of twelve townships in Porter County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 8,166.-Cities and Towns:The township has no incorporated communiies. Wheeler, located near the center of the township on State Route 130 continues to be an important...

, Porter County
Porter County, Indiana
Porter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 164,343. Much of the population growth has to do with the expansion of the Chicago Metropolitan Area eastward into Indiana. The county seat is Valparaiso...

2003 Greater South Shore
Greater South Shore Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
The Greater South Shore Conference is an eight-member Indiana High School Athletic Association athletic conference spanning Lake, La Porte, Newton, and Porter Counties in Northwest Indiana. A ninth member, South Central participates only in football, otherwise participating in the Porter County...

570
Whiting High School Whiting Oilers Whiting
Whiting, Indiana
Whiting is a city located in the Chicago Metropolitan Area in Lake County, Indiana, which was founded in 1889. The city is located on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. It is roughly 16 miles from the Chicago Loop and just short of two miles from Chicago's South Side. Whiting is home to Whiting...

, Lake County
Lake County, Indiana
Lake County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. In 2010, its population was 496,005, making it Indiana's second-most populous county. The county seat is Crown Point. This county is part of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago metropolitan area. The county contains a mix of urban,...

1993^ Greater South Shore
Greater South Shore Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
The Greater South Shore Conference is an eight-member Indiana High School Athletic Association athletic conference spanning Lake, La Porte, Newton, and Porter Counties in Northwest Indiana. A ninth member, South Central participates only in football, otherwise participating in the Porter County...

289

^Charter member of Lake 10

State Champions

  • Baseball (3): 2002-Munster (4A), 2004-Bishop Noll (2A), 2005-Andrean (3A)
  • Football (3): 1997-Griffith (4A), 2004-Andrean (3A), 2005-Lowell (4A)
  • Girls Gymnastics (1): 2004-Hobart
  • Softball (2): 2006-Whiting (1A), 2007-Andrean (3A)

Related links

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