The Gogebic Range Conference, named after the region in which its member schools were located, was formed in 1980 by four former members of the Michigan-Wisconsin Conference: Bessemer, Hurley, Ironwood and Wakefield. For the three Michigan-based schools, this was a dual affiliation: Bessemer and Wakefield were part of the Great Western Conference while Ironwood was affiliated with the Superior Six Conference. Hurley's sole affiliation was with the Gogebic Range, as they had left the WIAA's Lumberjack Conference after the 1979-80 school year. The Gogebic Range Conference was disbanded in 1986 after Hurley's exit to become members of the Indianhead Conference of the WIAA. The three Michigan-based schools continued their previous affiliations.