MARYSVILLE — The Big East League (BEL) officially expanded its footprint on Thursday morning, unanimously voting to accept Marysville as the conference’s 12th member school.
The league’s existing schools voted 11-0 to approve the Bulldogs’ high school program and 12-0 to accept the junior high division. Marysville is scheduled to officially join the BEL beginning in the 2028-29 school year, following one more year in the North Central Kansas League (NCKL) and the subsequent redrawing of football districts.
League Alignment and Background
With Marysville’s admission, the BEL junior high division reaches 12 schools, while the high school division grows to 12 as well.
The high school division currently features:
- Hiawatha
- Holton
- Jefferson West
- Marysville (joining 2028-29)
- Nemaha Central
- Perry-Lecompton
- Riley County
- Rossville
- Royal Valley
- Sabetha
- Silver Lake
- St. Marys
Atchison also participates as part of the junior high division.
The BEL was formed in June 2023 through the merger of the historic Big Seven League (established in 1926) and the Mid-East League (established in 1948), with official athletic competition launching in the 2024-25 school year.
Impact on the NCKL
Marysville’s departure will shift the makeup of the North Central Kansas League, which has been affiliated with the Kansas State High School Activities Association since 1966.
Once the transition is complete, the remaining NCKL member schools will consist of:
- Abilene
- Chapman
- Clay Center
- Concordia
- Rock Creek
- Wamego
The NCKL’s most recent membership change occurred in 2024, when Rock Creek joined at the high school level following the dissolution of the Mid-East League.
