Big Rivers Conference (Illinois)

The Big Rivers Conference (BRC) is an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) athletic conference located in Southern Illinois. The conference is primarily comprised of large public high schools located in the southwestern portion of the state. The conference schools compete in a variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, track and field, cross country, golf, and tennis. Member schools are typically larger than those found in smaller conferences in the region, often drawing from significant portions of their respective counties. The BRC is known for its competitive athletic environment and its history of producing successful teams and individual athletes at the IHSA state level. The exact membership of the conference has shifted over time, with schools joining and leaving based on factors such as enrollment size and geographic location. Historical rivalries between member schools are a prominent feature of the conference's sporting culture.