[1] The founding of the HCC was viewed, initially, as merely a rebranding of the ICC, but the change was much more significant, in that it created a multi-sport Division II men's athletic conference that did not compete in basketball.
In its first year of operation (1978-79), the HCC crowned champions in football, baseball, cross country, wrestling, swimming, track, golf, and tennis.
Meanwhile, the GLVC added sports for women and solidified its status as primary conference for the members it shared with the HCC.
As the most successful programs in the HCC, Butler and Ashland each won or shared five conference football championships, but five of the eight members claimed at least one title.
Four years later, Franklin, which likewise had maintained a dual membership in the NAIA, left the HCC to transition to Division III.
Finally, in advance of the 1988 season, Evansville withdrew from the league to become a football-only member of the NAIA (while maintaining the rest of its athletic program in Division I).
The formation of the MIFC was announced in February 1989, making the league's final season a lame duck campaign for the five remaining teams.