Getting the Band Back Together… Bulldogs Join Ozark Conference 2.0
- RoMoAthletics
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
April 16, 2026
Spending two years as an Independent program had some high points and some struggles. It may be odd to compare being part of an Athletic Conference and attending a school dance, but roll with me on this.
It’s tough to be that person at a dance, wanting to dance, but you have nobody to dance with as they are already paired up. Standing on the side, watching everyone else dance can get tiring.
As can being on the dance floor, thinking you are part of a group dance, but then realizing that nobody is actually dancing with you because you are not part of the cool clique.
Four press releases came out on April 15th from Camdenton, Lebanon, Waynesville and Rolla about joining a conference in the 2027-28 season.
Welcome to the Ozark Conference 2.0!
Folding the Ozark Conference
Historically, the Ozark Conference has long been a dominant conference anchored by teams from Springfield Public Schools sprinkled in with some teams that stretched the distance and connections.
In early 2024, private communication between member schools established that Conference would be folding due to several of the smaller Springfield schools looking for a more comparable conference and the larger schools wanting more high-profile match-ups with the COC, the non-Springfield schools were left to scramble to find a place to land.
The newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference that included several former Ozark Conference schools, had no interest in expanding their number of teams.
The powerful Central Ozarks Conference, who already had a big and small school division, opened their doors to the remaining teams, but on terms that were not very favorable to the newcomers.
Kickapoo, who had long desired to be part of the COC had been part of the first domino to fall when they informed the Ozark Conference schools that they would be leaving.
The travel distance to join the COC was a huge negative for Rolla who already had heavy travel times due to its location. Going further would make multiple trips of 2 hours and ended up being a deal breaker.
Efforts were underway immediately upon notification of the Ozark Conference dismantling to connect these same four schools to form a new conference, but due to timing, pressure and the thought of greener pastures, this did not occur.
Getting the Band Back Together
Camdenton, Lebanon, Waynesville and Rolla shared the news of revamping the Ozark Conference via social media or in the case of the Rolla Bulldogs, on their school website as well.
The releases explain that the conference will go into effect for the 2027-28 school year to allow schools to complete existing scheduling contracts.
The three schools that moved into a conference following the disbandment of the Ozark Conference, Lebanon and Waynesville to the COC and Camdenton to the CMAC, all used the same press release content to announce their own individual intent to join the newly revamped conference.
While none of the press releases mentioned any of the other schools, their united front can be found in the common quote “This realignment will renew long-standing rivalries and enhance athletic competition across a variety of sports.”
Rolla, who has been independent the last two years, used its own format and content to describe their plans to join the conference.
The struggles of being independent can be found in this statement in the Rolla press release. “Being a member of an organized athletic conference allows more competitive scheduling for our teams and more recognition opportunities for our student-athletes”
While only four schools have made it official at this time, you can expect announcements in the near future of more schools joining the new Ozark Conference.
LInk to Rolla Press Release
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