In late 2013, the NWCC extended an invitation to Hardin Northern, which also required a response by March 1, 2014. After suspending Hardin Northern from league play in football from 2013-2015, the BVC voted 9-1 (HN the lone dissenting vote) to refuse a guarantee that Hardin Northern would return to the league for that sport. This pressure caused Hardin Northern's school board to decide on February 19, 2014 to withdraw from the BVC and apply to the NWCC for membership. The NWCC accepted Hardin Northern as a full member for 2014-15 on March 19, 2014, with football joining in 2015-16.