The Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League, abbreviated NNJIL, was a former athletic conference located in Bergen County

Bergen County, New Jersey

Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...

, Passaic County

Passaic County, New Jersey

Passaic County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 501,226. Its county seat is Paterson...

 and Essex County

Essex County, New Jersey

Essex County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the United States 2010 Census, the population was 783,969, ranking it third in the state after Bergen County and Middlesex County; Essex County's population has declined from 786,147 as of the bureau's...

, New Jersey

New Jersey

New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...

. The NNJIL was separated into three divisions, according to the classification they were given from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association

New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association is an association of hundreds of New Jersey high schools that regulates high school athletics and holds tournaments and crowns champions in high school sports.-State championships:...

.

Division A

School	Location	School District	Team Name	Classification
Belleville High School Belleville High School (New Jersey) Belleville High School is a four-year comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grade from Belleville, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Belleville School District...	Belleville Belleville, New Jersey Belleville is a Township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 35,926.-History:...	Belleville School District Belleville School District (New Jersey) The Belleville School District is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from Belleville, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States....	Buccaneers	North II, Group III
Bloomfield High School	Bloomfield Bloomfield, New Jersey Bloomfield is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 47,315. It surrounds the Bloomfield Green Historic District.-History:...	Bloomfield Public Schools	Bengals	North I, Group IV
Hackensack High School Hackensack High School Hackensack High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Hackensack, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Hackensack Public Schools...	Hackensack Hackensack, New Jersey Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....	Hackensack Public Schools Hackensack Public Schools The Hackensack Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from the City of Hackensack, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....	Comets	North I, Group IV
Bergen County Technical Schools Bergen County Technical Schools Bergen County Technical Schools is a county vocational school district that serves as the vocational / technical education arm of all the school districts within the 70 municipalities in Bergen County, New Jersey. The primary programs offered are the Bergen County Academies and Bergen County...	Hackensack Hackensack, New Jersey Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....	Bergen County Technical Schools Bergen County Technical Schools Bergen County Technical Schools is a county vocational school district that serves as the vocational / technical education arm of all the school districts within the 70 municipalities in Bergen County, New Jersey. The primary programs offered are the Bergen County Academies and Bergen County...	Knights	North I, Group IV
Paramus High School Paramus High School Paramus High School is an American four-year comprehensive public high school, located in Paramus, New Jersey, operating as part of the Paramus Public Schools...	Paramus Paramus, New Jersey Paramus is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 26,342. A suburb of New York City, Paramus is located between 15–20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan and approximately west of Upper Manhattan.Paramus is one of...	Paramus Public Schools Paramus Public Schools The Paramus Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade from Paramus, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....	Spartans	North I, Group III
Ridgewood High School Ridgewood High School (New Jersey) Ridgewood High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school serving students from Ridgewood, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Ridgewood Public Schools....	Ridgewood Ridgewood, New Jersey Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the village population was 24,958. Ridgewood is an affluent suburban bedroom community of New York City, located approximately northwest of Midtown Manhattan.The Village of Ridgewood was...	Ridgewood Public Schools Ridgewood Public Schools The Ridgewood Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district serving students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade from suburban Ridgewood, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States....	Maroons	North I, Group IV
Teaneck High School Teaneck High School Teaneck High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school, which is part of the Teaneck Public Schools district in Teaneck, New Jersey, United States...	Teaneck Teaneck, New Jersey Teaneck is a township in Bergen County, New Jersey, and a suburb in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 39,776, making it the second-most populous among the 70 municipalities in Bergen County....	Teaneck Public Schools Teaneck Public Schools Teaneck Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district in Teaneck, New Jersey, United States, serving students in kindergarten through twelfth grade....	Highwaymen (boys) Highwaywomen (girls)	North I, Group III

Division B

School	Location	School District	Team Name	Classification
Barringer High School Barringer High School Barringer High School, formerly Newark High School, is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Newark, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Newark Public Schools. Some consider it to be the third oldest public high school in the United States...	Newark Newark, New Jersey Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...	Newark Public Schools	Blue Bears	North I, Group IV
Nutley High School Nutley High School Nutley High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in the Township of Nutley, New Jersey, United States, as part of the Nutley Public Schools. Its colors are maroon and gray. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The school is located at...	Nutley Nutley, New Jersey 2010 Census Data:*TOTAL: 28,370 or 100%*White: 23,405 *African American: 628 *Asian: 2,824 *American Indian and Alaska Native: 36 *Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 4...	Nutley Public Schools Nutley Public Schools Nutley Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from Nutley, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States....	Maroon Raiders	North II, Group III
Clifton High School	Clifton Clifton, New Jersey Clifton is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 84,136. The 2010 population represented an increase of 5,464 residents from its population of 78,672 in the 2000 Census, making it the state's 11th largest...	Clifton Public Schools Clifton Public Schools The Clifton Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from Clifton, in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States....	Mustangs	North I, Group IV
Eastside High School Eastside High School (Paterson, New Jersey) Eastside High School is a four-year public high school in Paterson, New Jersey, United States, that serves the eastern section of Paterson. EHS, which serves grades 9 through 12, operates as part of the Paterson Public Schools....	Paterson Paterson, New Jersey Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...	Paterson Public Schools Paterson Public Schools The Paterson Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade from Paterson, New Jersey, United States...	Ghosts	North I, Group IV
John F. Kennedy High School John F. Kennedy High School (Paterson, New Jersey) John F. Kennedy High School is a four-year public high school in Paterson, New Jersey, United States, that serves the western section of Paterson. Kennedy High School, which serves grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Paterson Public Schools...	Paterson Paterson, New Jersey Paterson is a city serving as the county seat of Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 146,199, rendering it New Jersey's third largest city and one of the largest cities in the New York City Metropolitan Area, despite a decrease of 3,023...	Paterson Public Schools Paterson Public Schools The Paterson Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade from Paterson, New Jersey, United States...	Knights	North I, Group IV
Montclair High School	Montclair Montclair, New Jersey -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 38,977 people, 15,020 households, and 9,687 families residing in the township. The population density was 6,183.6 people per square mile . There were 15,531 housing units at an average density of 2,464.0 per square mile...	Montclair Public Schools Montclair Public Schools The Montclair Public Schools are a comprehensive community public school district that serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade from the Township of Montclair, in Essex County, New Jersey, United States...	Mounties	North I, Group IV
Passaic High School Passaic High School Passaic High School is a four-year community public high school, serving students in ninth through twelfth grades from Passaic, in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Passaic City School District...	Passaic Passaic, New Jersey Passaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...	Passaic City School District Passaic City School District Passaic City School District is a compehensive community public school district located in Passaic, New Jersey, United States, serving students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade...	Indians	North I, Group IV

Division C

School	Location	Team Name	Classification
Bergen Catholic High School Bergen Catholic High School Bergen Catholic High School is an all-male Roman Catholic high school in Oradell, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade...	Oradell Oradell, New Jersey Oradell is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. At the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,978. The borough's territory includes a dam on the Hackensack River that forms the Oradell Reservoir...	Crusaders	Non-Public North A
Don Bosco Preparatory High School Don Bosco Preparatory High School Don Bosco Preparatory High School is a private, Roman Catholic secondary school for young men, grades 9 through 12. Founded by the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious order of priests and brothers, the school is situated on a campus in Ramsey, New Jersey, United States...	Ramsey Ramsey, New Jersey Ramsey is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located northwest of Midtown Manhattan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 14,473....	Ironmen	Non-Public North A
Academy of the Holy Angels Academy of the Holy Angels The Academy of the Holy Angels is an all-female Roman Catholic college preparatory high school located in Demarest, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, serving students in ninth through twelfth grade. The school operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark...	Demarest Demarest, New Jersey Demarest is a Borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 4,881.Demarest was formed by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1903, from portions of Harrington Township and Palisades Township. The borough was named...	Angels	Non-Public North A
Immaculate Heart Academy Immaculate Heart Academy Immaculate Heart Academy is an all-girls college preparatory private Roman Catholic high school located in Washington Township, in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. The school was founded in 1960 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace as the first regional high school for girls in the Roman...	Washington Township	Blue Eagles	Non-Public North A
Paramus Catholic High School Paramus Catholic High School Paramus Catholic High School is a co-educational Roman Catholic high school located in Paramus in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. The school, founded in 1965, is one of several high schools in the Archdiocese of Newark...	Paramus Paramus, New Jersey Paramus is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 26,342. A suburb of New York City, Paramus is located between 15–20 miles northwest of Midtown Manhattan and approximately west of Upper Manhattan.Paramus is one of...	Paladins	Non-Public North A
Saint Joseph Regional High School Saint Joseph Regional High School Saint Joseph Regional High School is a private, Roman Catholic, college preparatory school for boys, located on a campus in Montvale, New Jersey. The school operates under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. St. Joseph Regional High School was founded in 1962 by the Brothers...	Montvale Montvale, New Jersey Montvale is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,844.Montvale was incorporated as a borough on August 31, 1894, from portions of Orvil Township and Washington Township, at the height of the "Boroughitis" craze then...	Green Knights	Non-Public North A

League sports

The Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League allowed member schools to compete in many sports spread out among three seasons. Although the league does not have a cheerleading division, many member schools have their own cheerleading teams. Other sports, such as fencing, are offered by some schools, but like cheerleading, were not part of the NNJIL.

The following is a list of the sports that the NNJIL offered. Each bullet was an individual team (as in one team for girls and one team for boys —not a combined unisex team), but in sports marked with an asterisk (*), these two teams usually practice together (depending on the school) and have almost every if not all of their meets, games, matches, competitions, or other events together. (For example, although the boys and girls track teams from a single school usually practice together and have meets at the same time, there are separate events at their meets for boys and for girls, and therefore, the teams are scored and compete separately.)

Fall Sports

• Cross Country
• Field Hockey
• Football
• Gymnastics
• Soccer
• Tennis (Girls)
• Volleyball (Girls)

Winter sports

• Basketball (Boys)
• Basketball (Girls)
• Bowling
• Swimming
• Winter Track
• Wrestling

Spring sports

• Baseball
• Golf
• Lacrosse
• Softball
• Tennis (Boys)
• Track & Field

Dissolution of the Conference

In 2008, the NJSIAA presented a proposal to realign the major athletic conferences throughout New Jersey. As part of the realignment movement, the NNJIL was disbanded before the 2008-2009 season, and member schools joined three larger conferences, based largely on county affiliations.

Essex County schools Bloomfield, Belleville, Nutley, Montclair and Barringer High Schools joined the new Super Essex Conference, where they remain to this day.

Clifton, Passaic, Paterson Eastside and Paterson Kennedy (representatives from Passaic County), along with Paramus, Hackensack, Teaneck and Ridgewood (Bergen County public schools) and Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco Prep, Immaculate Heart Academy, Academy of the Holy Angels and Saint Joseph Regional (Bergen County Non-Public schools) joined the newly-formed North Jersey Tri-County Conference. This new conference comprised schools from Passaic, Bergen and Hudson County.

Paramus Catholic, the last remaining school of the old NNJIL, joined the North Bergen Interscholastic Athletic League

North Bergen Interscholastic Athletic League

The North Bergen Interscholastic Athletic League, abbreviated NBIL or NBIAL, was an athletic conference of twelve high schools located in the northern part of Bergen County, New Jersey...

 (NBIL).

For the 2010 season, the Bergen and Passaic County schools of the North Jersey Tri-County Conference joined with the schools of the former NBIL and Northern Hills Conferences to form the Big North Conference

Big North Conference

The Big North Conference is a high school athletic conference in New Jersey. It is one of six North Jersey "super athletic conferences" created by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association in 2009...

. All Hudson County schools of the North Jersey Tri-County Conference returned to the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association

Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association

The Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association is a New Jersey high school sports association operating under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association . The league consists of 23 public and parochial high schools in Hudson County in northern New Jersey...

.

Impact of the NNJIL

Many of the high schools that were members of the NNJIL were seen as athletic powerhouses, and numerous state and sectional championships were won by member schools. Fierce rivalries developed in the league, especially in football, where neighboring towns hold decades-long traditional matchups, or where Non-Public schools such as Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco have battled for state championships over the past two decades.

Many of the schools in the NNJIL have been included in the most recent realignment conducted by the NJSIAA as part of the 40-member Big North Conference.

League Code of Conduct

The NNJIL encourages parents and spectators to support good sportsmanship and to be positive role models to student athletes. Smoking is not allowed (per NNJIL rules, some local laws, and state legislation) at NNJIL events. Spectators are asked to "enthusiastically encourage" their own teams, to refrain from booing and using negative remarks, and to applaud "outstanding play" by any team. State and NNJIL regulations prohibit noisemakers, signs, and banners at competitions.

External links

• Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League