Cardinal Community School District Joins South Central Athletic & Academic Conference

posted May 24, 2021

At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, Cardinal Community School District will officially join the South Central Conference (SCC).

“We are excited about the new challenges and opportunities a larger conference will bring,” says Cardinal Superintendent Joel Pedersen. “This is a new era for Cardinal athletics and activities.”

The change comes after Cardinal’s reclassification as a Class2A school in all of their athletics (with the exception of football and wrestling).

“We will be the smallest school in the conference, but we feel that will motivate our coaches and athletes to perform at a high level,” says Chris Becker, Cardinal activities director.

Making the decision to switch conferences was a difficult one, but in the end, a decision was made that would best benefit Cardinal students and their families. Joining the SCC means shorter travel times visiting other schools in the conference and more game and activity options.

“I'm looking forward to shorter road trips for our kids and giving them the opportunity to compete in a great conference at all levels,” Mr. Becker says. “We have a chance to develop new rivalries with some local schools, but still maintain some of the rivalries that we have had in the past.”

Mr. Becker and the Cardinal coaches will miss their colleagues in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference but look forward to working with those in the SCC too. We are proud to say we will have a history with both organizations. 

“I'm excited to be a part of a great conference that takes pride in academics, arts and athletics.,” Mr. Becker says.