Heart Of Iowa High School Athletic Conference Could Be Expanding

The Heart Of Iowa Athletic Conference could be expanding to add a 9th member school. The conference currently is a mixture of 2A and 3A sized schools. However, Grandview Christian, a 1A school in Des Moines has been trying to join the conference for some time. Their initial attempt to join was rejected, GVC then appealed the decision.

A mediation hearing was held recently that included representatives from the schools involved mediators and executives from the bodies that govern Iowa HS sports, the IAHSAA and IGHSAU.

It was determined in the hearing, that they could join for the 2023-2024 academic year, if they can meet certain criteria prior to the end of the 2023 academic year.

The largest hurdles for GVC is that they would be required to compete in wrestling and golf. They currently don’t offer those programs. They also would be required to expand and offer more sub-varsity level programs in virtually every sport they currently offer.

The Heart Of Iowa Conference is made up of Greene County, PCM, Perry, Roland-Story, Saydel, South Hamilton and West Marshall.

The history of the conference dates back to the 1970’s.