According to Waverly-Shell Rock athletic director Greg Bodensteiner, the Upper Iowa Conference has extended invitations to several schools including Sumner-Fredericksburg and Oelwein from the North Iowa Cedar League, Osage from the Top of Iowa Conference, Riceville from the Iowa Star Conference and New Hampton, Crestwood and Waukon from the Northeast Iowa Conference. Only Decorah, Charles City and Waverly-Shell Rock of the Northeast Iowa Conference were not given an invite. Oelwein left the conference for the North Iowa Cedar League beginning this school year leaving the NEIC with just six teams. If the Northeast Iowa Conference is left with five teams or fewer it is deemed not-viable by its own bylaws.
To hear more details listen to the interview with Bodensteiner below.