It has been an announced that several programs will be changing their levels of play for the upcoming 2025-26 seasons.  This encompasses all sports across the board, and somewhat explains some of the moves.  Bowling has been the most recent addition to the slate of NKAC competition.

Both Holmes and Newport will join Division III from DivII, which will totally disrupt the format that has worked for Division III teams since the turn of the century.   Knowing that they are not Regional contenders, these DivIII members have formed their own entity, playing a round-robin, home/away  schedule, and conducting an in-season Division III tournament.  It is safe to say that Holmes and Newport will not play the double round-robin schedule, nor welcome a mid-season Division III tournament.    At least for the short-term, Newport and Holmes will become the dominant entities in D-III on the Boys side, whereas their Girls’ teams will welcome the class relief. 

The changes don’t stop there.  Highlands will elevate from Division II to Division I, and Boone County will now join Division II from Division I.

Outside of Division III, over the years the NKAC Conference has lost much of its luster, and to be honest has pretty much become a second thought among member teams.  

The Conference has made an effort to broaden its exposure by providing each member team with the banners shown below for display in each program's gyms.  These banners reflect the present format.

 

So for every sport that does conferences besides boys basketball, I think the Newport and Holmes drops make total sense. Like a very positive change. But yes, Newport’s recent boys teams especially, I can’t see them playing a round robin conference schedule. On the other hand, a rebuilding Holmes program fits much better. 

As an old timer it's hard to believe Newport and Holmes are at the point that they are competing with the small schools for conference championships. The current alignment seemed to work well to me but I guess it doesn't for the schools switching divisions. Interesting that Highlands is finally in 4A in football ( where they should have been during many classification periods) but are choosing to move to Division 1 in the NKAC.

Outside of seeing the post-season awards list, this isn't something that I think about during the season when teams are playing each other.

Do the schools have the option to move up and down?

I'm not sure how this benefits anyone. If Holmes wants to schedule the D-III schools, then just call their AD and ask to schedule them. Is Newport really going to play Heritage next year? 

10 hours ago, Breds82 said:

Do the schools have the option to move up and down?

They can petition the Board who must approve the move. 

By enrollment, Brossart and Holy Cross would still qualify for Division III.  We played Division III from 1991 through 1996 and won the Division each year during that period.  Previous to that we played in a small school conference called the NKIAC  (Northern Kentucky Independent Athletic Conference).  In 1997 we moved up to Division II which accelerated our schedule, which I think made us more competitive.  Since joining Division II, we have won the NKAC D-II Conference race, or a share of it, on three occasions - 2005, 2007, and 2009.  Since we are a 10th Region team, it provides us a nice foundation of 9th Region teams.  Beechwood followed us to D-II a few years later.  It took them a few years to become competitive at that level, but presently they are a bona fide, competitive member of the Division.

I believe that with the All "A" an the All 2A, plus the travel trips that big schools take, the NKAC is no longer a major priority among the member schools.  Districts were not seeded back then, so District Seeding games did not carry the importance that they presently do. If you talk to Ken Shields he will tell of the great Conference battles between Highlands and Lloyd, etc.

Bob Miller and Roland Vories were instrumental in showcasing the NKAC.  We had a banquet which was a first class event.  I remember one of those being held in the early days of the Quality Inn Riverfront (the Revolving Restaurant) back in the early 90's. 

Times change. 

I’m a NewCath guy and I had zero clue that there was a round robin tournament at all. 

I would assume NCC enrollment would also place them in Div III if they chose to move down? 

 

I do not believe the Div III round robin has been around for that long?  No other division does that but it truly helps those schools with scheduling competitive games.  

 

True, NCC would qualify for Div-III by enrollment.

They too, opted to play in Div-II since we privates joined the NKAC Conference.

3 hours ago, Mustang said:

True, NCC would qualify for Div-III by enrollment.

They too, opted to play in Div-II since we privates joined the NKAC Conference.

I can actually remember the days when NCC was in the GCL.

I have a close family member who recently graduated from Campbell County. Played 3 years of basketball. The NKAC was rarely if ever mentioned. Definitely not anything people got excited for. Was shocked to see that they were even in a conference.