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

List of member schools

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.

1979

Webb City leaves the conference for two years thus causing the renaming to the Big 12 Conference.

1981

Webb City is reinstated into the conference. The conference is renamed the Big 13 Conference with schools divided into two divisions.

1982

Joplin (Memorial) lured Neosho, Webb City, Carthage, McDonald County, and Nevada to form the Big 6 Conference. The remaining schools formed the Big 8 Conference (Aurora, Carl Junction, Cassville, East Newton, Lamar, Monett, Mt. Vernon, and Seneca). In 1985, Joplin Memorial merges with Joplin Parkwood to form Joplin High School and thus, the Big 6 Conference is renamed the Southwest Conference. Teams are: Joplin, Carthage, McDonald County, Neosho, Nevada, and Webb City.

2013

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

2015

Carl Junction Leaves Big 8 Conference for the Central Ozarks Conference (Large).

2017

The Central Ozark Conference Small Division merged with the Big 8. Joining schools are: Logan-Rogersville, Springfield Catholic, Reeds Spring, Hollister, Marshfield and Nevada. The Big 8 Conference was shaped into an East and West conference division. The West Division includes: McDonald County, Monett, Nevada, Cassville, East Newton, Seneca, and Lamar The East Division includes: Marshfield, Logan-Rogersville, Aurora, Reeds Spring, Springfield Catholic, Hollister, and Mt. Vernon.

2024

The Big 8 Conference members Logan-Rogersville, Springfield Catholic, Reeds Spring, Hollister, and Marshfield leave the conference to create the new Ozark Mountains Conference and/or join other conferences. The conference is left with 9 teams with no plans to expand in the foreseeable future.

State championships

Aurora Houn' Dawgs

Cassville Wildcats

East Newton Patriots

Lamar Tigers

McDonald County

Monett Cubs

Mt. Vernon Mountaineers

Nevada Tigers

Seneca Indians

Neighboring Conferences