Mississippi Valley Conference — 1969-77
The Mississippi Valley Conference was formed in 1969 and
originally consisted of eight teams: Bettendorf, Clinton, Iowa City High,
Dubuque Senior, Muscatine, and the Cedar Rapids schools of Jefferson, Kennedy,
and Washington. In 1970, one final school—Dubuque Hempstead—joined the M.V.C.
to complete the lineup.
Bettendorf’s alliance with the M.V.C. marked the beginning of a new era in several regards. First, two years after it was formed, Bettendorf assistant coach Merv Habenicht was appointed as the new head coach and he would lead the Bulldogs for the next twenty-nine seasons while building the program into a [sustainable] dynasty. Second, in 1972 the Iowa High School Athletic Organization finally implemented a playoff system that would finally end the speculation and crowning of “Mythical State Champions” by various newspapers which had occurred since the 1930s. Ironically enough, the very first 4A state champion was M.V.C. member Cedar Rapids Jefferson who defeated West Des Moines Dowling, 6-0, in the title game. Third, the formation of the M.V.C. would prove to be long-lasting as even in the present day it still exists—albeit in two divisions—of mostly the same teams as the original design.
The 1969-77 configuration of the M.V.C. was dominated by the J-Hawks of Cedar Rapids Jefferson and proven by their four league titles in nine years. However, the 1974 title was shared by three other schools and included Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids Washington, and Dubuque Hempstead.
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Mississippi Valley Conference Champions
Cedar Rapids Jefferson
Jayhawks
Dubuque Senior Rams
Bettendorf
Bulldogs
Clinton
River Kings |
Mississippi Valley Conference Members Bettendorf Bulldogs Cedar Rapids Jefferson Jayhawks Cedar Rapids Kennedy Cougars Cedar Rapids Washington Warriors Clinton River Kings Dubuque Hempstead Mustangs Dubuque Senior Rams Iowa City High Little Hawks
Muscatine Muskies
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