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DeKalb lands in DuPage Valley Conference

The search expanded two counties to the west, but the DuPage Valley Conference found a sixth member.

DeKalb High School has accepted the DVC's invitation to join the storied league, a move that became official with a 7-0 vote of approval at Tuesday's DeKalb CUSD 428 board meeting.

The Barbs, who were facing life as an independent school with the breakup of the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference, begin DVC competition in the 2019-20 school year.

"The DuPage Valley Conference will be a good fit for DeKalb High School due to the competitive athletic programs as well as the breadth of activities offered at each of these campuses," DeKalb principal James Horne said in a statement.

Membership in the DVC slashed nearly in half at the start of this school year when Glenbard North, Lake Park, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South left to form the DuKane Conference with Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles East and St. Charles North from the Upstate Eight Conference.

The DVC actively has sought new members for a few years, and DeKalb became a viable option when three weeks ago the Barbs were declined admittance into the UEC. Fenton was chosen to join the UEC to replace West Aurora, which is headed to the Southwest Prairie Conference.

Being situated in DeKalb County, west of Kane County, the Barbs aren't a prototypical DVC member. DeKalb has an enrollment of 1,840, according to the IHSA. That is much lower than the next smallest DVC school, Waubonsie Valley, which has an enrollment of 2,642.

Still, the Barbs have become competitive in numerous sports in recent years. The football team this season, for example, will be in the playoffs for the sixth straight time.

"As a school and as a community, we have a lot to offer," Horne said. "I look forward to many years of competition and partnership with the schools of this conference."

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