Marysville Begins Process to Join Big East League

Photo: USD 364

Marysville USD 364 is pursuing a move to the Big East League after the school board voted 5-2 Monday night to submit an application for membership per Sunflower State Radio. The application was officially submitted Tuesday morning.

The Big East League is expected to consider Marysville's application at its meeting next week. The league currently has 11 member schools, and at least two thirds of those schools must approve the addition.

If approved, Marysville could begin competing in the Big East as soon as the 2028-29 school year, although an earlier transition remains possible.

Marysville has been a member of the North Central Kansas League since the conference was established. The Bulldogs currently have the smallest enrollment in the league and are the lone 2A football program competing against their NCKL opponents. Projected enrollment declines in the coming years have also played a role in the district's consideration of a conference change. The difference in school size is particularly noticeable in football, where Marysville has faced challenges having enough players to consistently operate two platoons against larger NCKL programs. The Bulldogs have continued to find success in other areas, including track and field, cross country and golf. Marysville's wrestling program also sees potential opportunities in competing against a different group of schools. A move to the Big East would put Marysville in a conference with schools that more closely match its size while creating a new schedule across the district's athletic and activity programs.

The Big East currently includes Hiawatha, Holton, Jefferson West, Nemaha Central, Perry-Lecompton, Riley County, Rossville, Royal Valley, Sabetha, Silver Lake and St. Marys. The conference offers competition in football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, cross country, wrestling and track and field, along with activities such as scholars bowl, forensics and art festivals. Marysville's application is now in the hands of the Big East League. The upcoming league discussion and subsequent vote will determine whether the Bulldogs' proposed conference move moves forward. For now, Marysville remains a member of the NCKL while the application process plays out.