The Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) leads NJCAA Region 11 in Iowa and Nebraska, showcasing athletic excellence and producing top talent for Power Four conferences. Here’s how ICCAC fans can support their athletes through platforms like RallyFuel.
Why the ICCAC Matters in NIL
The ICCAC has become a unique NIL environment for important reasons:
- Eighteen member institutions across Iowa and Nebraska form the ICCAC, the premier NJCAA conference in the Midwest. The conference operates under both NJCAA Division I and Division II, using a sophisticated hybrid governance model.
- National Championship Tradition: Iowa Western Community College won the 2025 NJCAA Division I Football National Championship, defeating Hutchinson 28-10. The Reivers have established a dynasty that annually produces Power Four talent.
- The NJCAA partnered with Opendorse to launch an official NIL Marketplace, which provides the technological backbone for compliant NIL deals across all ICCAC institutions.
- ICCAC schools serve as premier feeders for Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC programs. Athletes develop their skills and NIL portfolios at these institutions before transferring to major conference programs.
- The 2025-26 season welcomes Central Community College (Columbus, NE) and Northeast Iowa Community College as full ICCAC members, expanding the conference’s geographic footprint.
- Region 11 stands as the most competitive wrestling region in the NJCAA. Indian Hills holds the #1 national ranking with a 3-0 dual record and a 139-19 point differential.
Passionate Midwest communities engage with ICCAC athletes, and NIL support connects Iowa and Nebraska fanbases directly with future Power Four stars.
ICCAC NIL by School
NIL activity spans ICCAC programs across Iowa and Nebraska:
NJCAA Division I Programs
- Iowa Western Community College (Reivers): Council Bluffs. 2025 National Champions in football. Operates like a “Power 5 of Junior Colleges” with unmatched facilities. Andy Burburija (DT, 12 sacks) committed to Nebraska. Top-tier soccer and wrestling programs.
- Indian Hills Community College (Warriors): Ottumwa/Centerville. #1 nationally in wrestling (3-0, 139-19 point differential). Men’s basketball is 15-2 and ranked nationally. Published transparent NIL policy. The Opendorse marketplace is active.
- Marshalltown Community College (Tigers): Marshalltown. Division I flagship with a strong regional following. Competes in basketball and baseball at the scholarship level.
NJCAA Division II Programs
- Des Moines Area Community College (Bears): Boone. 16-1 overall, perfect 8-0 In the conference (Men’s Basketball). Dominant force in D2 basketball and perennial power in softball/baseball.
- Kirkwood Community College (Eagles): Cedar Rapids. Division II gold standard. 5th place national finish in volleyball. #1 in D2 Women’s Basketball standings (14-2, 8-1 conference). Iowa’s second-largest city provides strong market access.
- Iowa Central Community College (Tritons): Fort Dodge. 31-9 volleyball with a perfect 12-0 conference record. Upset Indian Hills 90-78 in basketball (January 2026). #3 nationally in wrestling. Dallas Baptist University baseball pipeline.
- North Iowa Area Community College (Trojans): Mason City. Women’s basketball is 12-2 overall. Strong wrestling tradition. Aniyah Howard earns Athlete of the Week honors.
- Ellsworth Community College (Panthers): Iowa Falls. Men’s basketball 15-2, 6-2 conference. The sports shooting program is active. Dark horse contender in D2.
- Iowa Lakes Community College (Lakers): Emmetsburg. Women’s basketball 12-4, 8-1 conference—tied with Kirkwood atop standings.
- Hawkeye Community College (RedTails): Waterloo. Mackenzie Arends defeated the #2-ranked wrestler from Iowa Western. Sports Shooting program.
- Central Community College (Raiders): Columbus, Nebraska. NEW 2025-26 member. Joined from Region 9. Seven NJCAA Division II programs, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball.
- Northeast Iowa Community College (Cougars): Peosta. NEW full-time member 2025-26. Tri-State area (Iowa/Wisconsin/Illinois) market access.
With RallyFuel, you can find and support verified athletes from ICCAC schools directly—making a difference in their journey.
ICCAC NIL Beyond Football
The ICCAC excels in NIL across multiple sports:
- Football: Iowa Western won the 2025 national championship (28-10 over Hutchinson). The Reivers’ 11-1 regular season featured elite talent like All-American DT Andy Burburija (12 sacks, 18.5 TFL). Major D1 signing day pipeline.
- Wrestling: Region 11 is the nation’s premier wrestling region. The “Big Four” (Indian Hills #1, Iowa Central #3, Iowa Western #12, NIACC) dominate nationally. Pipeline to Big Ten and Big 12 programs.
- Men’s Basketball: Indian Hills (D1) at 15-2 with national ranking. DMACC leads D2 at 16-1 (8-0 conference). Iowa Western 16-1 (7-1). Fierce parity creates “bloodbath” competition.
- Women’s Basketball: Kirkwood (14-2, 8-1) and Iowa Lakes (12-4, 8-1) deadlocked atop D2 standings. Trista Ohlmeier (Iowa Central) is earning Athlete of the Week honors.
- Volleyball: Kirkwood finished 5th nationally. Iowa Central went 31-9 with a perfect 12-0 conference record. The conference hosted nationals in Cedar Rapids.
- Baseball: Iowa Central maintains its pipeline to Dallas Baptist University. Carter Giesen and George McIntyre committed to the perennial NCAA powerhouse.
- Sports Shooting: Ellsworth and Hawkeye Community College sponsor varsity shooting sports—adapting to regional interests in rural Midwest demographics.
Fan-powered platforms like RallyFuel allow you to support athletes in any ICCAC sport—not just football—so your passion truly drives their success.
How ICCAC Fans Can Support Athletes
You can power up your favorite ICCAC athletes right now through RallyFuel. Here’s how:
1. Create an account on RallyFuel.com or the mobile app.
2. Select your ICCAC school affiliation.
3. Browse verified athletes currently on your program’s roster.
4. Fuel athletes across any sport
5. Track your support through your fan dashboard.
How It Works
When you purchase Fan Fuel, you’re purchasing Conditional NIL Engagement Rights (CNERs). If conditions are met, RallyFuel or its affiliate offers an NIL Agreement to the athlete. If conditions aren’t met—for example, if an athlete transfers—you receive an automatic refund.
Additional Support Channels
- NJCAA Opendorse Marketplace: The official NJCAA NIL Marketplace connects fans with athletes for social media posts, appearances, and autographs. Indian Hills athletes have active profiles with deal prices ranging from $10 to $50.
- Local Business Partnerships: Athletes in towns like Ottumwa, Fort Dodge, and Council Bluffs partner with local dealerships, restaurants, and businesses for authentic endorsements.
- Youth Clinics: ICCAC athletes host coaching clinics and camps—providing supplementary income while building community connections.
- Conditional Protection: RallyFuel’s conditional model protects Fan Fuel with automatic refunds if athletes transfer or conditions aren’t met.
Remember: Supporting ICCAC athletes through RallyFuel is your voluntary way to make an impact. Fuel purchases aren’t charitable donations, and they don’t guarantee specific outcomes, but your involvement is what keeps our conference moving forward.
The Transfer Portal and Power Four Pipeline
The ICCAC serves as the premier talent pipeline to NCAA Division I programs:
2025-26 Transfer Commitments
| Athlete | Sport | ICCAC School | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Burburija | Football | Iowa Western | Nebraska (Big Ten) |
| Joao Das Chagas | Basketball | Indian Hills | UAB |
| Jamal Entezami | Basketball | Indian Hills | Hawaii-Hilo |
| Abdoulaye Fall | Basketball | Indian Hills | Albany |
| Carter Giesen | Baseball | Iowa Central | Dallas Baptist |
| George McIntyre | Baseball | Iowa Central | Dallas Baptist |
| William Ward | Wrestling | Region 11 | Arizona State |
| Trey Beissel | Wrestling | Region 11 | Minnesota (Big Ten) |
The “Bounce Back” Strategy
The ICCAC has become a preferred destination for Division I transfers looking to rehabilitate their stock. The “D1 to JUCO to D1” cycle is a defining feature of the conference’s talent model. Players use their seasons in Ottumwa or Council Bluffs to prove their value before returning to NCAA Division I.
NIL activity at the ICCAC level helps athletes build their brand portfolios before transferring, creating more marketable players for Power Four programs.
ICCAC Battleground Competition
RallyFuel’s Battleground tracks ICCAC rankings:
How It Works
- Every Fan Fuel contribution adds to your school’s total.
- Real-time updates as transactions occur
- ICCAC schools ranked against each other and nationally
- Championship counts display alongside NIL totals.
Conference Competition
- See how your school compares to ICCAC rivals.
- Iowa Western vs. Indian Hills rivalry extends to Battleground.
- Kirkwood vs. Iowa Central volleyball battles continue year-round.
- Track your personal contribution to the school totals.
Ready to Support ICCAC Athlete. Start supporting ICCAC athletes now. Visit RallyFuel to find your school and favorite athletes, or check the NJCAA Opendorse Marketplace. Take action to help future Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC stars grow their brands right here in Iowa and Nebraska.ska.
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information on athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure of modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in greater depth.
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can ICCAC fans support athletes through NIL?
ICCAC fans can fuel athletes directly through RallyFuel by creating an account, selecting their school affiliation, and browsing verified athletes. The conditional model provides automatic refunds if athletes transfer or if conditions aren’t met. Additionally, fans can use the NJCAA Opendorse Marketplace or engage with local business partnerships.
Which ICCAC schools are on RallyFuel?
Athletes from ICCAC schools are available for fan support on RallyFuel, including Iowa Western, Indian Hills, Marshalltown, DMACC, Kirkwood, Iowa Central, NIACC, Ellsworth, Iowa Lakes, Hawkeye, and the new members, Central Community College and Northeast Iowa Community College.
Why is NIL important for JUCO athletes?
NIL creates meaningful opportunities for junior college athletes who use community colleges as a stepping stone to Division I. An extra $500 per semester from NIL activities can be the difference between financial stability and hardship. NIL also helps athletes build brand portfolios that make them more marketable to Power Four programs.
What is the NJCAA-Opendorse partnership?
The NJCAA launched an official NIL Marketplace powered by Opendorse. This provides a compliant platform where ICCAC athletes can connect with sponsors. Indian Hills publishes a transparent NIL policy: “All NIL agreements are made without the involvement of Indian Hills Community College.”
What happens if an athlete I supported transfers?
If an athlete transfers or selects a different school during the conditional period, you receive an automatic refund to your original payment method. No manual request is required.
How does the ICCAC serve as a Power Four pipeline?
The ICCAC is a primary feeder system for Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC programs. Iowa Western’s football program operates as a “farm system” for major conferences—Andy Burburija committed to Nebraska after the 2025 championship. The “bounce back” strategy sees D1 players drop to JUCO for a reset year before returning to major programs.
Can I support ICCAC athletes in sports other than football?
Yes. RallyFuel hosts verified ICCAC athletes across all sports—basketball, wrestling, volleyball, baseball, soccer, and even sports shooting. Region 11 wrestling is considered the nation’s premier region, and programs like Kirkwood volleyball and Iowa Central baseball consistently produce D1 transfers.
What is the difference between NJCAA Division I and Division II in the ICCAC?
Division I programs (Iowa Western, Indian Hills, Marshalltown) offer full scholarships (tuition, room, board) and recruit nationally/internationally. Division II programs (DMACC, Kirkwood, Iowa Central) offer partial scholarships (tuition, books/fees) and rely more on in-state recruitment. Both divisions compete for national championships within their classifications.


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