Wheaton College student-athletes, coaches, and fans will encounter new sportsmanship programming during the 2026-27 school year after the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin announced a partnership with nonprofit Officially Human on Thursday, July 23.

The partnership makes the CCIW the fourth NCAA Division III conference to work with Officially Human, according to the announcement. Under the agreement, all nine CCIW member schools will receive educational resources focused on fostering respect and appreciation for the referees and umpires who work conference games across 26 sports.

Officially Human was founded in 2019 in Lombard and works to improve treatment of game officials. The nonprofit is led by CEO Brenda Hilton, a 24-year veteran of collegiate officiating who also serves as the Big Ten Conference's Senior Director of Officiating. Hilton has grown the organization's partnership base to more than 40 organizations.

"I look forward to seeing the conference implement meaningful initiatives throughout the coming year that advance these important values," Hilton said in the announcement.

CCIW Executive Director Lexie Vernon called officials "essential to the success of our contests" and said the partnership provides an opportunity to educate campus communities about the critical role officials play.

The CCIW, founded in 1946, includes Augustana College, Carroll University, Carthage College, Elmhurst University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Millikin University, North Central College, North Park University, and Wheaton College. The conference is headquartered in Naperville.

No specific rollout date for the educational programming at Wheaton College has been announced. The CCIW press release states resources will be implemented "throughout the coming year," covering the fall 2026 sports season and beyond.