“We are honored and excited to join the SWJCFC as we celebrate more than 100 years of Badger football,” Snow College President Stacee McIff said. “Snow College takes pride in our tradition of academic and athletic excellence, and we look forward to competing with conference members who share our values and commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field.”

The Badgers have been an NJCAA Division I Football Independent since the 2019 season. This came following the disintegration of the Western States Football League, which had been in existence since 1985, following the conclusion of the 2018 season.

“The toughest part of being an independent has been trying to schedule NJCAA football opponents,” Snow College football Head Coach Zac Erekson said. “Joining the Southwest Junior College Football Conference eliminates that hurdle for our football program.”

The SWJCFC, which was formed in 1963, is currently home to eight football teams that make up the entirety of Region 14 in the NJCAA. That number will remain at eight teams even after the Badgers join as Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College will depart the conference following the 2025 season. The SWJCFC encompasses teams primarily from Texas, as well as one team from New Mexico.

Snow College will join the ranks of Region 14, which includes Blinn College, Cisco College, Kilgore College, Navarro College, New Mexico Military Institute, Trinity Valley Community College, and Tyler Junior College.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the SWJCFC and our member schools,” Dr. Kevin G. Fegan, President of Navarro College and the SWJCFC, said. “Our conference has a proud tradition of success in the NJCAA, and adding Snow College only strengthens our league. They fit perfectly with our member schools in terms of value they place on athletics as part of their institution. Adding Snow College is a positive move for the SWJCFC and for NJCAA football.”

The Badgers have a relatively sparse history with teams within the SWJCFC. Since 2011, they have played just four of the current eight teams within the conference, the most recent of which against Tyler Junior College earlier this season.

Snow College has played the most games against New Mexico Military Institute – the closest school geographically to Ephraim. The Badgers are 7-2 against the  Broncos while being a combined 3-2 against Kilgore, Trinity Valley, and Tyler.

“We are extremely excited to be joining the Southwest Junior College Football Conference,” Erekson said. “This conference has such a rich tradition of football excellence, and we are excited to be a part of that.”

The SWJCFC holds its own conference tournament every season. Since 2016, the conference has seen five unique conference tournament champions, most recently by Navarro, which defeated Tyler in the championship game last season.

Additionally, since the implementation of the NJCAA National Playoff in 2021, the SWJCFC has sent a team to the playoff in three out of the four seasons, including NMMI in 2021. The Broncos went on to win the playoff after securing a 31-13 victory against Iowa Western Community College.

“We look forward to competing in what we believe to be one of the top junior college football conferences in the country,” Erekson said. “Over the years, I have formed great personal relationships with many of the coaches and athletic directors in Texas, and we look forward to joining them.”

“Joining the Southwest Junior College Football Conference is an incredible opportunity for Snow College football,” Snow College Athletic Director Karen Johnson said. “This is a meaningful step that positions our program for long-term success while honoring the proud tradition of Badger football. Our players will face some of the best teams in the country. We are eager to build lasting relationships with the Texas schools as we grow the recognition of NJCAA

football. So many people were instrumental in this partnership, including President McIff, former AD Rob Nielson, Navarro President Dr. Fegan, and SWJCFC Chair Michael Landers.”