The CCI was formed in May 1946 and was a reorganization of the "Illinois College Conference" that had existed for the prior nine years.
[1] The North Central Cardinals, in their first year under head coach Herb Heilman, won the CCI championship with a 7–1 record.
[2] [2] The 1946 North Central Cardinals football team represented North Central College of Naperville, Illinois, during the 1946 college football season.
In their first season under head coach Herb Heilman, the Cardinals compiled a 7–1 record, won the CCI championship, and outscored opponents by a total of 148 to 22.
In their third non-consecutive year under head coach Harvey Chrouser, the Crusaders compiled a 6–2 record (3–1 against CCI opponents), tied for second place in the CCI, and outscored opponent by a total of 146 to 33.