An Athletic Conference is a group of schools or colleges that come together to organize and regulate sports competitions among their members. These conferences help establish rules, schedules, and standards for various athletic events, ensuring fair play and consistent competition. They often include teams from different regions and can vary in size and scope. Conferences can be categorized by the level of competition, such as high school or collegiate, and may focus on specific sports or a range of athletic activities. Examples of well-known conferences include the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and the Big Ten Conference, which feature various sports like football and basketball.