The Western Big 6 Conference is a high school conference in western central Illinois. The conference participates in athletics and activities in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The conference comprises public high schools with large enrollments, as well a private school, in the Illinois Quad Cities, Galesburg, Geneseo, Illinois, Sterling, Illinois, and Quincy, Illinois.
Current Membership
| School | Location (Population) |
Mascot | Colors | 2024-2025 Enrollment | IHSA Classes 2/3/4[1] | IHSA Music Class[2] | IHSA Football Class[3] | IHSA Cheerleading Class[4] |
| Alleman High School | Rock Island, IL (39,018) |
Pioneers | Green & White | 329.5 | A/1A/2A | B | 4A | Medium squad |
| Galesburg High School | Galesburg, IL (32,195) |
Silver Streaks | Silver & Gold | 1,232.5 | AA/2A/3A | AA | 6A | Medium squad |
| Geneseo High School | Geneseo, IL (6,586) |
Maple Leafs | Kelly Green & White | 840.5 | 1A/2A/3A | A | 5A | |
| Moline High School | Moline, IL (43,471) |
Maroons | Maroon & White | 2,093.5 | AA/3A/4A | AA | 7A | Large squad |
| Quincy High School | Quincy, IL (40,633) |
Blue Devils | Royal Blue & White | 1,876 | AA/3A/4A | AA | 7A | Large Squad |
| Rock Island High School | Rock Island, IL (39,018) |
Rocks | Crimson & Gold | 1,686.5 | AA/2A/3A | A | 6A | Medium squad |
| Sterling High School | Sterling, IL (15,370) |
Golden Warriors | Navy & Gold | 978.5 | 1A/2A/3A | 5A | ||
| United Township High School | East Moline, IL (21,302) |
Panthers | Orange & Black | 1,740 | AA/3A/4A | AA | 6A | Medium squad |
History
The Western Big 6 Conference was established in 1969. The conference consisted of four schools from the Quad Cities area, one from Quincy, and one from Galesburg. The charter members were Moline High School, Rock Island High School, Rock Island Alleman High School, United Township High School (East Moline), Quincy Senior High School, and Galesburg High School. Enrollments have ranged from over 2000 students, to Alleman, the league’s only private school, with just under 500. Membership in the conference remained the same until July 1, 2019 when Geneseo High School and Sterling High School became the seventh and eighth members of the conference. All original members remain to the present day, making it one of the oldest Illinois High School Conferences in continuous existence in Illinois.
Competitive Success
The present day Western Big 6 Conference has won 44 state championships in IHSA sponsored athletics and activities. Through the 2019-2020 season the conference has won Illinois state titles in:
- Boys Baseball (Galesburg 1987-1988)
- Boys Basketball (Quincy 1980-1981; Rock Island 2010-2011; Moline 2022-2023)
- Boys Cross Country (Alleman 2004-2005)
- Boys Golf (Galesburg 1971-1972; Quincy 1990-1991)
- Boys Soccer (United Township 1999-2000)
- Boys Tennis (Moline 1992-1993)
- Boys Track and Field (Rock Island 1960-1961, 1988-1989, 1993–1994)
- Boys Wrestling (Rock Island 1966-1967; Moline 1995-1996)
- Chess (Moline 1993-1994, 1994–1995; Rock Island 1977-1978)
- Drama (Rock Island 2008-2009)
- Fishing (Moline 2013-2014)
- Girls Basketball (Alleman 2004-2005)
- Girls Bowling (United Township 1990-1991)
- Girls Golf (Quincy 1976-1977, 1977–1978, 1978–1979)
- Girls Softball (Alleman 1984-85, 1991–92, 1992–1993, 1993–1994, 1997–1998, 2013-2014; Moline 1986-1987, 1987–1988, 1993–1994, 1995–1996, 2005–2006, 2010–2011; Quincy 1977-1978; Rock Island 2017-2018)
- Girls Track and Field (Rock Island 2008-2009; United Township 1976-1977)
- Girls Volleyball (Sterling 2019-2020)
- Music Sweepstakes (Moline 1999-2000)
- Scholastic Bowl (Quincy 1986-1987, 1987–1988, 1992–1993)