The Big Eight Conference was a collegiate athletic conference in the United States, established in 1907. It originally included schools from the Midwest and Southwest, focusing on promoting intercollegiate athletics among its member institutions. The conference was known for its competitive programs in various sports, particularly in football and basketball. In 1996, the Big Eight Conference merged with the Southwest Conference to form the Big 12 Conference. This merger expanded the membership and geographical reach of the conference, allowing for a more diverse range of athletic competition. The legacy of the Big Eight continues to influence college sports today.