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MAC School History
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is one of the oldest and most storied conferences in college sports. Founded in 1946, it was initially known as the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The conference has become one of the most prominent Division I athletic conferences, with 12 members throughout Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
Each school within this prestigious conference has its unique history that dates back decades or even centuries in some cases. From Toledo’s roots as a Jesuit university founded by French missionaries to Eastern Michigan’s nearly 200 years of educating students from all over southeast Michigan—each MAC school offers a rich heritage for fans to explore.
Akron University had humble beginnings when it opened as Buchtel College on July 23rd, 1847—making it one of Ohio's oldest universities! Now home to over 20 thousand students each year, Akron proudly boasts an impressive list of alumni, including NFL Hall Of Famer Lou Groza and astronaut Judith Resnik, who tragically died aboard Challenger Space Shuttle mission STS 51L.
Bowling Green State University began life as a regular school dedicated solely towards preparing teachers for public schools across northwest Ohio before eventually becoming what we know today: BGSU! With enrollment nearing twenty thousand undergraduates annually, BGSU continues its commitment towards higher education while maintaining solid athletics programs in both men's & women's basketball, football & hockey.
Kent State University was established in 1910 following several failed attempts at creating colleges around northeastern Ohio since 1858 - making Kent State officially over 150 years old! Home now primarily known for its golden flashes mascot & award-winning marching band - Kent State is proud to host many fields such as academic studies ranging from business administration, journalism/communications, and engineering sciences, among others.
Northern Illinois University can trace its origins to 1870 when DeKalb County Normal School opened shop! Since then, NIU has expanded into a vibrant campus community boasting a variety of activities, including varsity athletics teams like Huskies Football, which compete yearly against other midwest collegiate opponents like BallState, Iowa Western Kentucky, etc ... NIU also prides itself on being a top research institution conducting groundbreaking projects related areas such healthcare nutrition environmental science technology, etc..
