Since its beginning as a six school, five sport conference, the ECC has grown to include 19 schools overseeing 23 sport programs, most of which function at 3 competitive levels: Varsity, JV, and Frosh. Initially, add-on members resulted from the establishment of new high schools in the area: Waterford, Ledyard, Montville, East Lyme, St.Bernard, and New London which absorbed the closing of Bulkeley and Chapman Tech. Much later, a merger with several schools from the Quinebaug Valley Conference added Plainfield, Griswold, Plainfield, Putnam, Tourtellotte Memorial and Woodstock Academy. Other schools came at their request as they determined a move to the ECC would be beneficial for their student body.
The growth of sports programs followed fairly closely the popularity and acceptance of each individual sport throughout the Northeastern United States, several of which were being introduced to youngsters by local recreation departments. In many cases the acquisition of facilities slowed the process down. Overall, the addition of programs offering opportunities for girls had the most significant impact.
Governance
The conference is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of the top administrator of each member school. Leadership at this level is established on a rotational basis. A league constitution provides guidelines.
Daily activities are overseen by an Advisory Board populated by the league's Directors of Athletics.
Sport Committees, one for each sport, consist of the league's Head Coaches and are headed by an appointed member of the Advisory Board. Each sport committee is directed by bylaws which are reviewed and revised, as necessary, by the Board of Directors on an annual basis.
Other ad hoc committees, appointed by and consisting of Advisory Board members, provide valuable league support. The Scheduling Committee, for example, is responsible for developing master schedules for all schools, all sports, all levels.
The Board of Directors meets once during each sport season, the Advisory Board on a monthly basis with occasional special sessions as required, and Sport Committees are scheduled to convene at the beginning and ending of their respective sport season.
Most changes to the operation of the league are initiated at the coaches level (Sport Committee) and pass through the directors of athletics (the Advisory Board) as recommendations for approval by the principals (Board of Directors).
