Great Midwest Rugby Conference

In Spring 2012, the Great Midwest Rugby Conference (originally named the WIIL Rugby Conference) was formed by joining D2 collegiate men's teams from the Wisconsin RFU, Illinois RFU, and CARFU. This was done partially to comply with USA Rugby's directive on forming conferences as well as increasing competition and enhancing the reputation of rugby in the Midwest. Since then they have branched out into Iowa, as well.

The Great Midwest Conference Champion regularly has teams go far in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) national-level playoffs.

In recent years, the Great Midwest added a Small College competition, and now runs competitions in D2 and D3 (which is what Small College is now called).

Division: Men's D2
Division: Men's D3 (Small College)

Conference Website

Men's D2

Updated: October 12, 2026

10.13.2023College Men

Major Challenges for Leaders in DII College Rugby

It's weird times in the NEWCRC.

After being touted quite heavily in these pages for its competitiveness top to bottom, the league has in fact split rather dramatically. The bottom half of the standings is now struggling and it's really a case of some teams going through some rebuilding at the same time that others are returning the majority of really good units.

illinois state 2023 v uc photo brandy piper 2

10.12.2023College Men

Shock Result Shakes Up Great Midwest

The BIG GAME of the Great Midwest might not be quite as big as anticipated, but still carries some caché.

09.25.2023College Men

Big Results for Loyola, UNI in Great Midwest

Loyola of Chicago improved to 2-0 with yet another fairly comfortable win, beating Illinois State 50-15.

10.30.2022College Men

Around Top-of-Conference D2 College Games

Here's a quick look at where we are in Men's D2 College rugby.

Northern Iowa and Marquette will meet up in the Great Midwest Conference final after both won semifinals in convincing fashion Saturday.

12.28.2021College Men

Teams of the Fall: Illinois State and Northern Iowa

The men's DII college season was marked by the emergence and growth of several varsity and school-supported programs, and that emergence might obscure the accomplishments of some of the more traditional club teams.