Benton Harbor leaving the SMAC
Published 8:35 am Thursday, July 16, 2015
The Benton Harbor Board of Education voted unanimously to leave the Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference beginning in the 2016-17 school year.
One of the reasons for the departure is the fact that Benton Harbor’s enrollment has dipped to 631. Benton Harbor had an enrollment of 1,750 when it joined the SMAC in 1985.
Benton Harbor is undecided on whether it will be an independent or join another conference.
Conference realignment has been ongoing in southwest Michigan.
The newly formed BCS Athletic Conference is growing from 10 teams to 15 this coming school year.
Joining the BCS are Comstock, Parchment, River Valley and Michigan Lutheran.
Berrien Springs is also set to join the BCS this season as it leaves the Wolverine Conference.
Coloma joins the Southwest Athletic Conference this season.