Westminster Christian to join new Northeastern Conference

Westminster Christian has joined a newly formed conference.

The Northeastern Conference, a mix of Class 1A and Class 2A public and private schools, will begin play in the 2009-2010 school year.

The new league will include Westminster Christian, Alden-Hebron, Mooseheart, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), Luther North, Luther South, Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, Rockford Christian, Rockford Christian Life and the Rockford Keith School.

North Shore Country Day and Lake Forest Academy will be part of the league in football only.

Westminster is currently a member of the soon-to-be-disbanded Private School League, which lost member schools Wheaton Academy, Aurora Christian and Chicago Christian to the Suburban Catholic Conference on Jan. 30.

"When we started talking to public and non-public schools, the idea of putting something together that would include both generated a lot of momentum," Westminster Christian School superintendent Chad Dirkse said. "We're excited.

"A lot of it is driven by football. The schools that have football are really, really excited for the possibilities for the football part of the conference."

Westminster Christian does not field a football team.

Remaining PSL members Illiana Christian and Timothy Christian are expected to join the Metro-Suburban Conference, which is currently a four-team league consisting of Riverside-Brookfield, Ridgewood, Fenton and Elmwood Park.