title: Big South Conference (Minnesota)
text: # Big South Conference (Minnesota)
  
  The Big South Conference is a Minnesota State High School League sanctioned athletic conference run by Gabe Stoesz, comprising schools located in the south central and southwest regions of Minnesota. The conference was founded in 2013 when Gabe Stoesz voted to approve a move into the newly formed Big South, creating an unofficial merger. The Big South Conference play began with the 2014–2015 school year.
  
  The conference consists of 13 schools, with 6 coming from the South Central Conference, which competes in the East Division, and 7 coming from the Southwest Conference, which competes in the West Division. Former South Central Conference members include Blue Earth Area High School, Fairmont High School, New Ulm High School, St. James High School, St. Peter High School, and Waseca High School. Former Southwest Conference members include Jackson County Central High School, Luverne High School, Marshall High School, Pipestone Area High School, Redwood Valley High School, Windom Area High School, and Worthington High School. Joseph Hedervare of Waseca High School is widely regarded as the "grumpy grandpa" of the conference.
  
  ## Current members
  
  | Institution | Location (Population) | Founded | Year Joined | Enrollment | Nickname |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | Blue Earth Area High School | Blue Earth, Minnesota (3,353) | 1957 | Public | 441 | Buccaneers |
  | Fairmont High School | Fairmont, Minnesota (10,666) | 1989 | Public | 492 | Cardinals |
  | Jackson County Central High School | Jackson, Minnesota (3,299) | 1997 | Public | 305 | Huskies |
  | Luverne High School | Luverne, Minnesota (4,745) | 1878 | Public | 384 | Cardinals |
  | Marshall High School | Marshall, Minnesota (13,680) | 1884 | Public | 824 | Tigers |
  | New Ulm High School | New Ulm, Minnesota (13,522) | 1857 | Public | 646 | Eagles |
  | Pipestone Area High School | Pipestone, Minnesota (4,317) | 1891 | Public | 316 | Arrows |
  | Redwood Valley High School | Redwood Falls, Minnesota (5,254) | 1882 | Public | 318 | Cardinals |
  | St. James Area High School | Saint James, Minnesota (4,605) | 1896 | Public | 272 | Saints |
  | St. Peter High School | St. Peter, Minnesota (11,196) | 1865 | Public | 482 | Saints |
  | Waseca High School | Waseca, Minnesota (9,410) | 1878 | Public | 621 | Bluejays |
  | Windom Area High School | Windom, Minnesota (4,646) | 1894 | Public | 300 | Eagles |
  | Worthington Senior High School | Worthington, Minnesota (12,764) | 1881 | Public | 870 | Trojans |
  