TCU considering move to Big South Conference

Tri-City United Activities Director Chad Johnson gave a proposal to the school board Feb. 13 recommending that the high school sports and activities remove themselves from the Minnesota River Conference (MRC) and join the Big South Conference (BSC). The middle school sports and activities would remain where they are.

The BSC consists of an east and west division. TCU would be joining the east division of the conference. The BSC east division includes Blue Earth Area, Fairmont, New Ulm, St. James, St. Peter, and Waseca Schools. These are the teams TCU would play regularly during the season.

The BSC west division includes Jackson County Central, Luverne, Marshall, Pipestone, Redwood Valley, Windom, and Worthington Schools. These teams would be played occasionally at larger conference meets.

Johnson said, “It’s something we’ve talked about for multiple years…Two years ago when we voted, our coaches were unanimously not in favor of going… The more we have progressed into the last few years, I honestly believe it is the right place for us to be (now). I really do.” In the meeting with coaches now, he said they all agreed it was a good move for TCU.

“Not much would change. We would be playing most of the schools we already play but some of them we would play twice now,” Johnson said, “Our non-conference teams will be conference and our conference teams would be non-conference. Only thing that is going to happen is instead of playing Sibley-East twice, us playing Mayer-Lutheran and Lester Prairie twice, we’re going to be playing New Ulm twice. We’re going to be playing St. Peter and Waseca twice.” He goes on to say, “We are a bigger school (currently) in a conference that is stretched out among multiple classes.”

Johnson’s concern is that if TCU stays in the MRC, it will likely....Continue reading by picking up a March 2 edition of the Montgomery Messenger. Subscribe online. Digital and print editions are included in the cost of any subscription.