| Coal Belt Conference | |
| Founded: | 1946 |
| Dissolved: | 1956 |
| Conference: | IHSA |
| Teams: | 7 |
| Region: | Southern Illinois |
The Coal Belt Conference was an Illinois high school athletic conference in existence from 1946 to 1956.[1] [2] The conference dissolved when 5 of its 7 members joined the Black Diamond Conference full-time.[3]
| School | Location | Nickname | Colors | Years Member | Additional Information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbondale University High School [4] | Carbondale, Illinois | Lynxes | Maroon Gray | 1946–1956 | Joined the Black Diamond Conference in 1963. Closed in 1968.[5] | |
| Carterville High School | Carterville, Illinois | Lions | Navy Blue Orange | 1946-1956 | Left for the Black Diamond Conference. Joined the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference in 2010. | |
| Christopher High School | Christopher, Illinois | Bearcats | Blue Orange | 1946-1956 | Left for the Black Diamond Conference. | |
| Elkville High School | Elkville, Illinois | Bluebirds | Blue White | 1946-1956 | Left for the Black Diamond Conference. Consolidated with Vergennes and Dowell to form Elverado in 1962. | |
| Hurst-Bush High School | Hurst, Illinois | Hummers | Blue Gold | 1946-1956 | Closed in 1966. | |
| Sesser High School | Sesser, Illinois | Red Devils | Maroon White | 1946-1956 | Left for the Black Diamond Conference. Consolidated with Valier to form Sesser-Valier in 1963. | |
| Zeigler High School | Zeigler, Illinois | Purple Tornadoes | Purple White | 1946-1956 | Left for the Black Diamond Conference. Consolidated with Royalton to form Zeigler-Royalton in 1962. |