The Coal Belt Conference was an Illinois high school athletic conference in existence from 1946 to 1956.[1][2] The conference dissolved when 5 of its 7 members joined the Black Diamond Conference full-time.[3]

Coal Belt Conference
ConferenceIHSA
Founded1946
Ceased1956
No. of teams7
RegionSouthern Illinois

Members edit

School Location Nickname Colors Years Member Additional Information
Carbondale University High School [4] Carbondale, Illinois Lynxes   Maroon
  Gray
1946–1956 Joined the Black Diamond Conference in 1963. Closed in 1968.[5]
Carterville High School Carterville, Illinois Lions   Navy Blue
  Orange
1946-1956 Left for the Black Diamond Conference. Joined the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference in 2010.
Christopher High School Christopher, Illinois Bearcats   Blue
  Orange
1946-1956 Left for the Black Diamond Conference.
Elkville High School Elkville, Illinois Bluebirds   Blue
  White
1946-1956 Left for the Black Diamond Conference. Consolidated with Vergennes and Dowell to form Elverado in 1962.
Hurst-Bush High School Hurst, Illinois Hummers   Blue
  Gold
1946-1956 Closed in 1966.
Sesser High School Sesser, Illinois Red Devils   Maroon
  White
1946-1956 Left for the Black Diamond Conference. Consolidated with Valier to form Sesser-Valier in 1963.
Zeigler High School Zeigler, Illinois Purple Tornadoes   Purple
  White
1946-1956 Left for the Black Diamond Conference. Consolidated with Royalton to form Zeigler-Royalton in 1962.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The Great Conferences". Archived from the original on 2016-04-23. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
  2. ^ "Black Diamond Conference". www.chesteryellowjackets.com. Archived from the original on 2010-12-14.
  3. ^ "Black Diamond Conference History and Facts". Archived from the original on 2008-04-15. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
  4. ^ "Carbondale University High School "Lynxes"".
  5. ^ "Pulliam Hall | Facilities and Energy Management | SIU". Facilities and Energy Management. Retrieved 2023-04-16.