For 60 years, the NWC sponsored sports exclusively for men, but in 1984 it joined with the Women's Conference of Independent Colleges to become the Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges, shortening the name to its current moniker in 1996 when it joined the NCAA.

In 1996, George Fox University joined when the conference moved to the NCAA and Puget Sound re-joined in that same year since 1948.

College of Idaho is now a member of the NAIA's Cascade Collegiate Conference for other sports.

The NWC currently has nine full members, all are private schools: The NWC had two former full members, which both were private schools: The NWC had two former associate members, which were also a private school: The Northwest Conference sponsors championship competition in nine men's and 11 women's NCAA sanctioned sports.

The award is named in honor of Jane McIlroy, former athletic director of Linfield (1950-82), and John Lewis of Willamette (1947-72).