{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox sports league | name = Apollo Conference | color = #0047AB | font_color = goldenrod | logo = Apollo_Conference_logo.jpeg | founded = 1970 | conference = IHSA | teams = 6<br /> Class 4A | region = Central Illinois (Champaign, Christian, Coles, Effingham, and Macon counties) | titles = 10 | titles_label = State titles }} '''The Apollo Conference''' is a high school athletic conference represented by 6 schools in the central portion of Illinois. It is a member of the Illinois High School Association.
The conference offers championships for girls in basketball, cross country, golf, softball, tennis, track & field, and volleyball. In boys' sports, the Apollo offers championships in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, track & field, and wrestling.
==History== The conference was formed in 1970 by charter members Charleston, Newton, Paris and Robinson who left from the Eastern Illinois Conference. In 1972 Decatur Lakeview and Mt. Zion joined the conference after departing the Cenois Conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.illinoishsglorydays.com/id278.html|title=Decatur Lakeview High School "Spartans"}}</ref> Effingham and Taylorville joined in 1981, leaving the Mid-State Conference.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.piasabirds.com/SCC/midstatehistory.html |title=Mid-State Conference - History of Membership |access-date=2011-03-19 |archive-date=2011-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126004741/http://www.piasabirds.com/SCC/midstatehistory.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lakeview closed in 1982, bringing the conference back to seven members. In 1993 Taylorville left to join the newly formed Central State Eight Conference. Olney and Salem joined from the North Egypt Conference, which was dissolved in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ihsfw.com/Conferences/Z-OldConferences/NorthEgypt.html|title=IHSFW.com; North Egypt Conference|website=www.ihsfw.com|accessdate=5 August 2023}}</ref> Significant changes have occurred for the Apollo Conference. Founding members Newton and Robinson, as well as Olney, left for the Little Illini Conference in the 2012–13 school year. Mattoon joined the league in that same school year, departing from the Big 12 Conference.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mattoon.k12.il.us/vnews/display.v/ART/4c0f8673b20b9 |title=Mattoon CUSD 2 - Mattoon High School Sports to Join Apollo Conference 2012-2013 |access-date=2010-07-09 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716095424/http://www.mattoon.k12.il.us/vnews/display.v/ART/4c0f8673b20b9 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Teutopolis was invited to join the conference, but declined the invitation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.herald-review.com/sports/article_4c3cdf5e-63d1-11df-a665-001cc4c03286.html|title = Apollo conference back from brink}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://effinghamdailynews.com/local/x657351532/Residents-discuss-pros-and-cons-of-conference-change |title=Residents discuss pros and cons of conference change » Local News » Effingham Daily News, Effingham, IL |website=effinghamdailynews.com |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704091148/http://effinghamdailynews.com/local/x657351532/Residents-discuss-pros-and-cons-of-conference-change |archive-date=4 July 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://herald-review.com/sports/teutopolis-turns-down-apollo/article_fa2dcd60-8e3f-11df-9e41-001cc4c03286.html|title=Teutopolis turns down Apollo|first=Leroy|last=Bridges|date=13 July 2010|website=Herald-Review.com|access-date=5 August 2023}}</ref><ref>[http://thexradio.com/premier/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6681:teutopolis-board-declines-invitation-to-join-apollo&catid=5:news&Itemid=1 Board declines the invitation] thexradio.com {{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The Taylorville Tornadoes rejoined the conference in 2014,<ref>[http://www.sj-r.com/sports/x984844934/Taylorville-High-approved-to-join-Apollo-Conference Taylorville High School approved to join Apollo Conference]sj-r.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607091617/http://www.sj-r.com/sports/x984844934/Taylorville-High-approved-to-join-Apollo-Conference |date=June 7, 2012 }}</ref> while another Apollo founding school, Paris, left for the Little Illini Conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jg-tc.com/sports/paris-leaving-apollo-conference-for-little-illini/article_dce47b4e-c0a3-11e1-a5ce-001a4bcf887a.html|title=Paris leaving Apollo Conference for Little Illini|author=Mike Monahan|date=27 June 2012|website=JG-TC.com|access-date=5 August 2023}}</ref> In 2015, Corn Belt Conference member Mahomet-Seymour was accepted into the conference starting with the 2017–2018 school year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.illinoishomepage.net/story/d/story/mahomet-seymour-accepted-into-apollo/28275/q9NYBNGhtkq2vw0shxYgqA|title=Mahomet-Seymour accepted into Apollo - IllinoisHomePage.net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607231759/http://www.illinoishomepage.net/story/d/story/mahomet-seymour-accepted-into-apollo/28275/q9NYBNGhtkq2vw0shxYgqA|archivedate=2015-06-07|url-status=dead|access-date=2015-06-04}}</ref> Later in the same year, Central State Eight conference member Lincoln was accepted to join in 2017–2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sj-r.com/article/20151221/SPORTS/151229921|title = Lincoln High School board votes to leave CS8, join Apollo Conference}}</ref> Shortly after, Salem elected to join the Cahokia Conference in 2017–18.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/sports/update-salem-leaving-apollo-conference-heading-to-cahokia/article_a54fa686-ba37-11e5-8ae6-dbbd425a667b.html|title = UPDATE: Salem leaving Apollo Conference, heading to Cahokia}}</ref> In 2023, Lincoln will leave the conference and head back to their previous league, The Central State Eight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcia.com/sports/lincoln-to-rejoin-central-state-eight-conference/|title = Lincoln to rejoin Central State Eight Conference}}</ref> Geographical concerns and school enrollment has played a part in the switching between Apollo and Little Illini Conferences. Charleston is the only founding member of the conference to stay in the Apollo, while Newton, Paris and Robinson have moved into the LIC
==Current members== <div style="float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1.5em; margin-right: 1.7em"> {{Location map+|USA Illinois|width=450|float=center|caption=Apollo Conference Members (clickable map)|places=
{{Location map~|USA Illinois|mark=Red pog.svg|label_size=70 | coordinates = {{coord|39|29|5|N|88|10|41|W}} |position=right|label=Charleston}}
{{Location map~|USA Illinois|mark=Green pog.svg|label_size=70 | coordinates = {{coord|39|28|44|N|88|22|23|W}} |position=left|label=Mattoon}}
{{Location map~|USA Illinois|mark=Red pog.svg|label_size=70 | coordinates = {{coord|39|7|15|N|88|32|45|W}} |position=top|label=Effingham}}
{{Location map~|USA Illinois|mark=Blue pog.svg|label_size=70 | coordinates = {{coord|40|11|33|N|88|24|8|W}} |position=top|label=Mahomet}}
{{Location map~|USA Illinois|mark=Red pog.svg|label_size=70 | coordinates = {{coord|39|46|41|N|88|52|43|W}} |position=top|label=Mt. Zion}}
{{Location map~|USA Illinois|mark=Purple pog.svg|label_size=70 | coordinates = {{coord|39|32|27|N|89|17|17|W}} |position=top|label=Taylorville}}
}}</div>
{| class="wikitable" border="1" |- ! School ! Location<br />(Population) ! Nickname ! Colors ! Affiliation ! Enrollment 2022-23 ! Year Joined ! Previous conference ! School Website |- | Charleston High School | Charleston, Illinois<br />(20,117) | Trojans | Scarlet and Gold {{Color box|#FF2400|border=silver}} {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} | Public | 796 | 1970 | Eastern Illinois Conference | http://www.charleston.k12.il.us/chs/ |- | Effingham High School | Effingham, Illinois<br />(12,511) | Flaming Hearts | Red, White and Forest Green {{Color box|red|border=silver}} {{Color box|white|border=silver}} {{Color box|green|border=silver}} | Public | 736 | 1981 | Mid-State Conference | http://www.effingham.k12.il.us |- | Mahomet-Seymour High School | Mahomet, Illinois<br />(8,605) | Bulldogs | Orange and Navy {{Color box|orange|border=silver}} {{Color box|navy|border=silver}} | Public | 987 | 2017 | Corn Belt Conference | https://www.ms.k12.il.us/o/high-school |- | Mattoon High School | Mattoon, Illinois<br />(17,615) | Green Wave | Green and Gold {{Color box|green|border=silver}} {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} | Public | 930 | 2012 | Big Twelve Conference | http://www.mattoon.k12.il.us |- | Mt. Zion High School | Mount Zion, Illinois<br />(5,795) | Braves | Red and White {{Color box|red|border=silver}} {{Color box|white|border=silver}} | Public | 763 | 1972 | Cenois Conference | http://www.mtzion.k12.il.us/pages/mtzion |- | Taylorville High School | Taylorville, Illinois<br />(10,360) | Tornadoes | Purple and Gold {{Color box|purple|border=silver}} {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} | Public | 756 | 1981, 2014 | Central State Eight Conference | http://www.tcusd3.org |}
==Former members== {| class="wikitable" border="1" |- ! School ! Nickname ! Colors ! Location ! Enrollment ! Year Departed ! Conference Joined |- |Lakeview High School |Spartans |{{Color box|green|border=silver}} {{Color box|gold|border=silver}} |Decatur, IL |N/A |1982 |School Closed in 1982 |- | Lincoln High School | Railsplitters |{{Color box|green|border=silver}} {{Color box|red|border=silver}} | Lincoln, IL | 810 | 2023 | Central State Eight Conference |- | Newton Community High School | Eagles | {{Color box|blue|||border=silver}} {{Color box|orange|||border=silver}} | Newton, IL | 434 | 2012 | Little Illini Conference |- | Paris High School | Tigers | {{Color box|orange|border=silver}} {{Color box|black|border=silver}} | Paris, IL | 561 | 2014 | Little Illini Conference |- | Richland County High School | Tigers | {{Color box|orange|border=silver}} {{Color box|black|border=silver}} | Olney, IL | 735 | 2012 | Little Illini Conference |- | Robinson High School | Maroons | {{Color box|maroon|border=silver}} {{Color box|white|border=silver}} | Robinson, IL | 464 | 2012 | Little Illini Conference |- | Salem Community High School | Wildcats | {{Color box|green|border=silver}} {{Color box|red|border=silver}} | Salem, IL | 647 | 2017 | Cahokia Conference |- |}
== Membership timeline == <timeline> DateFormat = yyyy ImageSize = width:1150 height:auto barincrement:20 Period = from:1970 till:2024 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal PlotArea = right:20 left:0 bottom:50 top:5 #> to display a count on left side of graph, use "left:20" to suppress the count, use "left:20"<# Colors = id:barcolor id:line value:pink id:bg value:white id:Full value:rgb(0.742,0.727,0.852) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports id:FullxF value:rgb(0.551,0.824,0.777) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports except for football id:AssocF value:rgb(0.98,0.5,0.445) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member with 8-man football id:AssocOS value:rgb(0.78,0.391,0.654) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in a football coop id:OtherC1 value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved to another conference id:OtherC2 value:rgb(0.988,0.703,0.383) # Use this color to denote a team that has consolidated id:OtherC3 value:rgb(0.5,0.691,0.824) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in some sports, but not all (consider identifying in legend or a footnote) PlotData= width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:m
bar:1 color:Full from:1970 till:end text:Charleston (1970-Present) bar:2 color:Full from:2003 till:2012 text:Olney (2003-2012) bar:2 color:OtherC3 from:2012 till:end text: (2012-Present) Little Illini Conference
bar:3 color:Full from:1970 till:2014 text:Paris (1970-2014) bar:3 color:OtherC3 from:2014 till:end text: (2014-Present) Little Illini Conference
bar:4 color:Full from:1970 till:2012 text:Robinson (1970-2012) bar:4 color:OtherC3 from:2012 till:end text: (2012-Present) Little Illini Conference
bar:5 color:Full from:1970 till:2012 text:Newton (1970-2012) bar:5 color:OtherC3 from:2012 till:end text: (2012-Present) Little Illini Conference
bar:6 color:Full from:2003 till:2017 text:Salem Community (2003-2017) bar:6 color:OtherC3 from:2017 till:end text: (2017-Present) Cahokia Conference
bar:7 color:OtherC2 from:1970 till:1981 text:Effingham (1970-1981) Mid-State Conference bar:7 color:Full from:1981 till:end text: (1981-Present)
bar:8 color:OtherC3 from:1970 till:1993 text:Lincoln (1970-1993) Other Conference bar:8 color:OtherC1 from:1993 till:2017 text:(1993-2017) Central State Eight bar:8 color:Full from:2017 till:2023 text: (2017-2023) bar:8 color:OtherC1 from:2023 till:end text:(2023-Present)
bar:9 color:OtherC2 from:1970 till:2017 text:Mahomet-Seymour (1970-2017) Corn Belt Conference bar:9 color:Full from:2017 till:end text: (2017-Present)
bar:10 color:OtherC2 from:1970 till:2012 text:Mattoon (1970-2012) Big Twelve Conference bar:10 color:Full from:2012 till:end text: (2012-Present)
bar:11 color:OtherC2 from:1970 till:1972 text:Mt. Zion (1970-1972) Cenois Conference bar:11 color:Full from:1972 till:end text: (1972-Present)
bar:12 color:OtherC3 from:1970 till:1981 text:Taylorville (1970-1981) other conference bar:12 color:Full from:1981 till:1993 text: (1981-1993) bar:12 color:OtherC1 from:1993 till:2014 text:(1993-2014) Central State Eight bar:12 color:Full from:2014 till:end text: (2014-Present)
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:2 start:1970 TextData =
fontsize:L
textcolor:black
pos:(0,30) tabs:(400-center)
text:^"Apollo Conference Membership History" #> If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following six options (use only the colors that are used in the graphic.) Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space. {{Font color||{{RGB|190|186|218}}|Full members}} {{Font color||{{RGB|141|211|199}}|Full-non football)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|128|177|211}}|Assoc. member (list sports)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|251|128|114}}|Full members (8-man football)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|200|100|167}}|Full football coop}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|255|179}}|Other Conference}} {{Font color||{{RGB|253|180|98}}|Other non-football conference}} <# </timeline>
{{Font color|| {{RGB|190|186|218}}|Full members}} {{Font color||{{RGB|141|211|199}}|Full members (non-football)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|251|128|114}}|Full members (8-man football)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|200|100|167}}|Full members (Football Coop)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|253|180|98}}|Other Conference}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|255|179}}|Central State Eight Conference}} {{Font color||{{RGB|128|177|211}}|Little Illini Conference)}} {{Font color||{{RGB|144|238|144}}|Cahokia Conference}}
==See also== * List of Illinois High School Association member conferences
== References == {{Reflist|2}}
==External links== * [http://www.apolloconference.com/ Apollo Conference] official website * [http://www.ihsa.org/ Illinois High School Association] (IHSA) official website * [http://www.ihsa.org/data/fb/conf4.htm IHSA Apollo Conference football standings] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110713010424/http://www.illinoispigskin.com/Conference/Apollo Apollo Football Conference]. IllinoisPigskin.com (Illinois Pigskin: Fan Focused Coverage of Illinois High School Football) * [http://www.charleston.k12.il.us Charleston High School] * [http://www.effingham.k12.il.us Effingham High School] * [http://www.lchsrailers.org/ Lincoln High School] * [http://www.ms.k12.il.us/ Mahomet-Seymour High School] * [http://www.charleston.k12.il.us Mattoon High School] * [http://www.mtzion.k12.il.us Mount Zion High School] * [http://www.tcusd3.org/ Taylorville High School]
{{Illinois High School Association}}
Category:Illinois high school sports conferences Category:Education in Champaign County, Illinois Category:Education in Coles County, Illinois Category:Education in Crawford County, Illinois Category:Education in Effingham County, Illinois Category:Education in Logan County, Illinois Category:Education in Macon County, Illinois