Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference

   The Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference is currently comprised of 43 teams for the 2012 season.  However, in the past things were different.  Originally known as the Big Ten Conference, the league was made up of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue and Iowa.  In 1993, the Big Ten Conference added its first non-Big Ten member, Indiana State.  Later, in 1996, the Big Ten Conference  added three new teams from the old Ohio River Conference:   Bowling Green, Ohio State and Ball State.  Under the guidance of Steve Burns, now the present head coach of Michigan's Men's Varsity Team, the league changed its name to the NCSA Region III Conference and was affiliated with the now-folded National Collegiate Soccer Association.  Each November, the conference sent its best teams to the NCSA National Championships which were held in Phoenix, Arizona.

   In 1997, there was a change in the administration of NCSA Region III.  Eric Sztul, who at the time was a member as well as coach of the Bowling Green Men's Club Soccer Team, took over the leadership of the conference.  In that season two more teams were added, Indiana and Toledo.  The league was becoming more well known and respected throughout the country, especially when Michigan won the NCSA National Championship.

   In 1998, expansion was again occuring in the conference, adding Miami and Purdue.  The competition and overall organization was also growing in the league, with as many as five teams going into national, post-season play.   Once again, Michigan won the NCSA National Tournament.

   1999 became a defining year for the conference.  With the NCSA falling apart, and later dismantling, the conference had no identity, and no association with a governing body.  As a whole, the league decided to join NIRSA (National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association).  Joining NIRSA was the best decision for the conference.  NIRSA provided weekly rankings and stable ground for a growing soccer league.  The conference officially became known as the Midwest Alliance Soccer Conference, and added three new teams, bringing the total to fourteen.  The new teams were Central Michigan, Ohio University and Western Michigan.  The conference also sent three teams to the NIRSA National Championship that year.

    Entering the new millenium, the MASC had a brand new look.  Membership had risen to eighteen teams, with the additions of Grand Valley State, Northern Illinois, Xavier and Dayton.   The league divided its competitors into two divisions, the East and West, which created some new rivilaries.  The conference sent three teams to the NIRSA National Tournament.

    In 2001, the MASC had grown to 21 teams with the additions of former member Ball State, Eastern Michigan, Ferris State and Wright State.   The league had expanded to three divisions and its teams continued to enjoy success at the National Tournament.  There was also a change in leadership as Eric Sztul stepped down as League Commissioner, and was replaced by Dr. Jeff Harper, coach and team advisor for Indiana State University.  Eric Sztul continued his leadership role as Assistant Commissioner.

     The MASC grew again for the 2002 season adding four new teams and bringing the total to 25 teams.  Cincinnati, Michigan State, Southern Illinois and Western Illinois began play and league newcomer, Wright State, won their second consecutive tournament championship.

       In 2003 there was a change of administration.  Richard Becknell, former coach and advisor for the Ohio University Club team took the reigns of the league.  With Becknell's insight, dedication, and passion for club soccer, the league continued to strive to be the best club soccer league in the country.

       Since 2004, several new clubs have entered the conference, including Loyola-Chicago, Butler and Indiana University-South Bend.   In 2005, an entire new division was added, the Great Lakes Division, which included clubs from both the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the state of Wisconsin.  The new addition brought the MASC into full geographic representation of NIRSA's Region III institutions, as well as marking the largest single expansion in league history.   With the additions, the MASC became the largest soccer conference in America.

      The 2006 season was an un-precendented season as four member teams made the National Quarterfinals.  In the National Championship, Michigan defeated Illinois in an epic battle.

      Indiana University won the 2008 National Championship, thus continuing the long history of dominance for NIRSA Region III clubs.  Indiana's  National Championship recorded the fifth National Championship for the MASC in the past 14 seasons.

     At the beginning of the 2011 season, the league had 42 league members, along with four associate member clubs.  New leadership was also added with the addition of Andy Chabot, former player and team president of The Ohio State University Club Team.  Andy assisted the M.A.S.C. with helping the organization of the League Tournament as well as aiding the League Office. For the fourth straight season, the Conference sent five league members to the NIRSA National Championships.

    The MASC is the strongest Men's Intercollegiate Club Soccer Conference in the country, and continues to strive to be the best.