With Washington University picking up a nine-game CCIW schedule in 2018, a game against traditional rival Uni

Washington University and the University of Chicago will be playing just two years in the Southern Athletic Association before leaving, and the two will be released from their University Athletic Association football obligations as well, allowing each of them to join conferences a little more geographically approprite to their locations.

Wash U will be joining the CCIW for football starting in the 2018 season, giving the conference 10 football programs. Carroll will be rejoining the CCIW in 2016. The University of Chicago didn't have a new football affiliation to announce this week, but hopes to join a new conference in 2017.

Sources tell D3sports.com that the Midwest Conference is the likely destination for the University of Chicago, although the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, which has just seven football teams, needs the Maroons more to fill out their conference schedule.

Losing the UAA schedule will mean that Wash U and Chicago will no longer have to play Carnegie Mellon and Case Western Reserve, which also frees up the Presidents Athletic Conference to adjust its conference schedule, should it choose to do so.

“We have been fortunate to have played in some great leagues in the UAA, and now SAA. The teams are competitive, and the coaches are great,” said WashU football coach Larry Kindbom. “Moving to the CCIW in the future makes sense because of the travel distances, and we will still be a part of a conference with great players, outstanding coaches, and a rich history and tradition.”

"We strive to provide an excellent competitive experience for all of our student-athletes while they engage in an academically rigorous environment," said Erin McDermott, Chicago's athletic director. "The travel distances required in the SAA and the small number of UAA schools competing in football created a situation for our football student-athletes that would not align with that goal. Finding the best home for football with a regional conference is of highest priority and we will continue to pursue our current process aggressively."