Changes In High School Athletic Conferences
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THE SENIOR REPORTS
www.theseniorreports.com


Yappi Sports - a site dedicated to bringing you news, information, and forums for high school sports in Ohio.

Week 9 - October 22 or 23, 2010CONTACT
John Treiber John_Treiber@glenbard.org Assistant Principal for Athletics Glenbard South HS 23w200 Butterfield Rd. Glen Ellyn, IL. 60137-6999 (630) 942-6655 Phone # (630) 469-0742 Fax #
updated 2-24-10
updated 2-24-10
"I know I speak for all of our member schools when I say we are thrilled that the communities in the Southwestern District have shown their support and given the student-athletes the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities now and in the future and continue to be an important part of this Conference.
The Ohio Capital Conference will fully engage the original schedules for both the winter and spring sports immediately and we look forward to helping these schools in any way we can to get back into a normal situation.
Just as that District will need to come together in the next weeks and months so to will all of our schools and administrators. It has been a difficult stretch for our schools but the strength and vision of our Conference will help us as we move forward with new and exciting initiatives for all of our 32 schools."
above You Tube video from the Greenville Daily Advocate
updated 11-11-09
Eric Spahr - Commissioner, GWOC
updated 11-8-09
updated 10-16-09
*On Wednesday, November 4th the GWOC will vote on potential new membership. If membership is approved there will be 1 addition to the North and 1 addition to the South. To date, 3 schools have applied for membership; Greenville and West Carrollton are two of the three applicants. Presently the North and South Divisions have 5 members, the Central Division has six members.
Piqua Sidney Trotwood-Madison Troy Vandalia-Butler
Fairborn Lebanon Miamisburg Springboro Xenia
Beavercreek Centerville Fairmont Springfield Wayne Northmont*Commissioner Spahr shared that there are no disgruntled GWOC members interested in, or involved in, discussions regarding the formation of a new conference. The chatter on the internet at this time, including message boards, is rumor.
*Commissioner Spahr also shared that the GWOC offers 21 sports in addition to an academic competition and a cheerleading competition. GWOC membership spans beyond athletics. Membership in the GWOC provides schools with a prestigious academic association which helps student-athletes beyond the field of competition.
*Speculation on these issues with the GWOC and the formation of a possible new league started when it was announced last week by the Central Buckeye Conference that both Greenville and West Carrollton had withdrawn their applications from consideration.
posted 10-5-09
confirmed with an official that Greenville is also in the application process of joining the CBC...
email we received
You are correct in your thought process. WC and Greenville did both apply for the CBC. both were contacted by a particular school in the CBC and asked to apply for membership in hopes of expanding and adding two larger schools to the league. It would obviously be a great thing for both schools, but it would also be a great addition to the CBC. There were a couple of proposals submitted, one based on size and one based on geography. There are still conversations ongoing and there should be something official by early November.
West Carrollton and Greenville bring with them comprehensive sports programs, competitive teams, great facilities, and tremendous communities. hoping that the CBC is able to see all the positives and steps forward and invite them to be a part of their family.
updated 10-15-09
NOTE - We will add more stories as they come online
Dave, due to technical difficulties this story didn't get posted online, but here is the story that went with my blog yesterday.
By MARK HAZELWOOD - hazelwood@sanduskyregister.com
Read Mark's Blog at CLICK HERE - Mark Hazelwood Blog
The Northern Ohio League has been kicked around and taken its fair share of hits the past year.
However, the only focus of league administrators and athletic directors is simple: survival.
Despite rumors and misinformation throughout the area — whether it be word of mouth or the Internet — the message among NOL officials from the six remaining schools is commitment.
“We have started making schedules for the 2011-12 school year for survival reasons,” Norwalk athletic director Dave Rehnborg said. “We’ve got to start getting these schedules going. Once we get the NOL portion done, we’ll start looking at non-league games.”
In the past eight months, the NOL lost charter members Galion and Upper Sandusky, along with Fostoria, while adding Sandusky — which joins the remaining five schools in Bellevue, Norwalk, Willard, Shelby and Tiffin Columbian to make a six-team league effective in the 2011-12 school year.
Bellevue athletic director Brian Schubert said the six remaining schools have committed to move forward with the six-team league through at least the 2012-13 school year.
“We are planning on six teams through those two years,” Schubert said. “We will obviously keep doors open for possible membership, but right now we have to commit to a league. We have six strong schools who have all made a commitment to each other and want to keep the NOL.
“There has been a lot of movement in a lot of leagues in Ohio, but we are going to hold tight as six teams, and hopefully someday we can look to put that back to an eight-team league. But we had to have some finalization with this.”
Looking forward, Rehnborg talked about the challenges of a six-team league schedule.
“There is no athletic director in Ohio or the entire country who would be happy with six teams, but at the moment we don’t have two others to put in,” he said. “We are working with getting schedules for six schools and at the same time exploring any and all options to add two more to make it eight schools.
“In football, especially, it will be tough with the travel or teams that don’t quite fit with your school possibilities. They are going to be stopgap games, hopefully, but we may have to live with six for a while. We are actively looking for games in 2011, but right now there isn’t much out there. You hope to find a game — and hope to find something that fits and is close.”
A possible football agreement with the West Shore Conference, which also lost two members this year, was discussed in which both leagues would fill the extra two slots with each other. But it appears the WSC is nearing a seventh member, making it a possible roadblock. Vermilion, Avon, Midview, Bay, Rocky River and North Ridgeville are slated to make up the WSC in 2011-12, but Elyria Catholic has formally applied for a seventh spot.
Rehnborg also pointed out Sandusky athletic director Susan Sackett has quickly become a valuable asset to other NOL athletic directors. Sackett is attending league meetings and has offered valuable input as Sandusky’s current home — the Greater Buckeye Conference — is also a six-team alignment made up of Sandusky, Fremont Ross, Napoleon, Lima Senior, Marion Harding and Findlay.
“That’s a very large part of it,” Rehnborg said. “Everyone wants the latest news, and right now there doesn’t appear to be any, and that’s why we’re looking at this and saying, ‘Hey, we better get started looking at 2011 as six schools.’
“There is nothing new on that front. It’s just rumor, rumor, rumor. You hear about all kinds of things with leagues around us, so we’re not the only one being affected by it.”
updated 9-25-09
Findlay and Lina Senior have applied to TCL according to TCL commissioner Ed Scrutchins, who met with James Offenbaker and Nate Weihrauch within last two weeks. The TCL's rules (ie. revenue sharing, competition plan, etc.) were presented. Now it's up to Findlay and Lima Senior to see if their respective boards/administrations would like to pursue joining for 2011-12 school year. Scrutchins said he plans to meet with the two ADs again next week to see where things stand, and then the TCL would go from there if the two schools are interested.
The Lima City Schools and the Findlay City Schools have joined efforts to seek athletic conference membership to various leagues. We have recently been in communication with the Toledo City League about possible membership. All of the members of the Greater Buckeye Conference are working diligently to seek membership to an athletic conference.
The changing of a conference requires a great deal of research and approval of various groups – Coaches, Athletic Board of Controls and Board of Educations. This is an exploratory process and the details of the conversations will not be able to be released at this time, so as not to jeopardize the process.
No final decision has been made by any party involved.
On Wednesday morning August 12th the Superintendent and Principals of the new Northern Buckeye Conference voted to extend an invitation into the conference to Elmwood High School and Fostoria High School. The two schools were contacted and were asked to respond by August 31st. If they accept the invitation they would join Eastwood, Genoa, Lake, Otsego, Rossford and Woodmore as members of the new conference which begins play in the 2011-2012 school year.
Larry Jones-Northern Buckeye Conference Commissioner
updated 8-7-09
The Maumee City Schools board of education considered a verbal offer to join the new Northern Buckeye Athletic Conference at their July 16 and August 3 meetings. Community members, parents, coaches, and school administrators addressed the board of education and expressed their varied opinions about a possible move from the Northern Lakes League to the new athletic league. After discussion and careful consideration, the school board voted to remain in the Northern Lakes League.
updated 8-5-09
(June 29, 2009) The Maumee City School District has received a verbal invitation to join six teams who have already stated their intention to join a new athletic league to be known as the Northern Buckeye Athletic Conference.
The Maumee Board of Education is seeking community input about this potential move from the Northern Lakes League to the Northern Buckeye Athletic Conference. If you have thoughts you would like to share, please put them and writing and submit in the next two weeks.
The new league is expected to begin play in the 2011-12 school year and the teams that have stated their intention to participate are Rossford, Lake, Eastwood, Genoa, Woodmore, and Otsego.
updated 9-6-09
Dave
I apologize but at this time I cannot provide a time line for any decision on membership involving the MAL. I am sure a decision will be made in a timely manner.
MKing-MAL
updated 8-15-09
We asked MAL Commissioner Mark King for an update on Gibsonburg and Elmwood
No decision has been made at this time. A presentation was made by both schools and the issue will be addressed further by MAL member superintendents at their next meeting.
from OHSAA web site-
The receiving member school requests an eligibility ruling in writing from the OHSAA
The written request for an eligibility ruling contains the following information:
1. Student's Name 2. Student's Grade Level 3. Sending School 4. Sports in which the Students Participated for the 2008-09 School YearPlease note that students requesting to be eligible at their new school must meet the scholarship requirement and all other applicable bylaws.
Written requests from school officials must be on school letterhead and faxed to 614-267-1677. An OHSAA administrator will respond to each request as quickly as possible.
Please note that the students who transfer pursuant to exception 11 are not eligible until declared eligible by the Commissioner’s office. It should also be noted that any student transferring eligibility pursuant to this exception will not be able to take advantage of exception 6 (transfer into residential district) of this Bylaw at any time after the transfer becomes effective.
updated 8-9-09
The meeting went very well. The Northern Lakes League principals voted to extend an invitation to Napoleon High School to become the eighth member of the NLL beginning in the Fall of 2011. Napoleon has accepted that invitation.
Following was posted on Eastwood Schools web page by Supt. Brent Welker
How did it get to this? I will spare you all of the details, but some explanation is required. When Lakota decided to leave our league there seemed to be some consensus that Rossford filled the bill perfectly in size and geographical location. Over the course of the last year this league has struggled to find a team that could garner 6 out of 7 need votes for admitting a team in the league. There have been NUMEROUS formal and informal discussions surrounding the league.
Eastwood had two goals – get to an 8 team league and try to preserve the current SLL relationships. Late this winter we reached a breaking point with the other four schools and were ready to leave the league and join with Rossford. However, we decided one last time to try and find some solution that kept the remaining seven SLL schools together. In a league meeting on March 24th at the SERRC building, we decided to try and form a 12 team league with a large and small school division. Promises were made at the meeting, which were supposed to give the larger schools significant autonomy to choose the two teams for that division. Similar promises were made to the smaller schools to choose three teams for their division. When the same two schools, who had opposed Rossford, indicated that they were going to reject one of the larger schools we had proposed, our interest in a 12 team solution ended.
OHIO -Letter to the Editor- (SLL) Secret decision wrong
Among options considered were adding a team, bringing the league back to eight members; and looking at the possibility of a twelve team league made up of two divisions. A great deal of work and effort has gone into seeking the best option and the best team(s) so that the league would remain viable, competitive, and equally fair for all participants.
As one might expect, there has been a great deal of opinion, and differences thereof, as to what course the league might take; and indeed sometimes that has meant almost daily meetings with sudden unexpected changes of direction. In all discussions, however, the Elmwood Schools has first and foremost sought the preservation of the SLL, to live within the strictures as laid out in its constitution, and to ensure that decisions made are in the best interest of all schools.
That is why it is terribly disconcerting to have received news that today five schools (not including ourselves and Gibsonburg) intend to sign a letter expressing their intent to withdraw from the league and form a new league. While this may have been an eventual outcome, what is so disturbing is that this was all done in secret without the remaining schools’ knowledge, and then blindsiding us with the information. This is a clear attempt to circumvent the league constitution, utilize strong-arm tactics to maneuver discussions to one side, and end any productive talks.
While the driving force behind this is unclear, I feel it is important to note that the Elmwood Schools continue to hold clear to their initial beliefs regarding this situation. First, we are committed to remaining in and continuing the SLL. Second, we want to share that league with schools and teams who believe in the virtue of viable and fair competition for all members. And, third, we will continue to be above board with all of our discussions with our member schools in the interest of fairness.
The Suburban Lakes League is, and will continue to be, a league with a long-storied history of great athletic competition. We continue to be proud of our place in that league.
Steven Pritts, Superintendent - Elmwood Local Schools
Larry Jones named NBC Commissioner
CLICK HERE - Eastwood to host perennial power Patrick Henry
CLICK HERE - Elmwood considering a move to the MAL
Five SLL schools, Rossford plan new league
http://www.sent-trib.com/stnew/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=602:five-sll-schools-rossford-plan-new-league&catid=23:high-school&Itemid=38
NLL voting Tuesday to accept Clay or Napoleon
http://www.presspublications.com/sports/2120-nll-voting-tuesday-to-accept-clay-or-napoleon
OHIO - 5 from SLL join Rossford for new league
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090522/SPORTS12/905220353
SLL to expand to 12 teams, two tiers
http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20090325/HSSPORTS/903250327/1006/SPORTS
SLL plans 12-team, 2-division alignment (Toledo Blade)
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090325/SPORTS12/903250346/-1/SPORTS
SLL plans to expand to two divisions
http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20090324/UPDATES04/90324020
Genoa AD believes new league on the horizon
http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20090320/HSSPORTS/903200320&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
Suburban Lakes League says no to Bulldogs' bid
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/SPORTS06/806030358NOL appears to be shifting; SLL standing pat
http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20090314/HSSPORTS/903140319/1006/SPORTS
SLL
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090303/SPORTS12/903030427Fostoria applies for membership in Suburban Lakes League
http://mobile.advertiser-tribune.com/page/wap.home/?id=511985Suburban Lakes League turns down FHS' application
Athletics more important than academics? South-Western School District is hoping so
http://www.jjhuddle.com/news/articles/2009/6/9/athletics-more-important-than-academics-south-western-school-district-is-hoping-so
South-Western students plead for another chance
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/05/12/copy/SWMEET.ART_ART_05-12-09_A1_KMDR785.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
Sunday Special: Northwest sports teams face aftermath of levy defeat
http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/highschool/x2133278392/Sunday-Special-Northwest-sports-teams-face-aftermath-of-levy-defeat
Northwest's NBC future is tied to levy passage
NOTE - Levy Failed on 5-5-09
http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/x1056823515/Northwests-NBC-future-is-tied-for-levy-passage
Grove City, three other Columbus schools will not field athletic teams in the fall
http://www.jjhuddle.com/news/articles/2009/5/7/grove-city-three-other-columbus-schools-will-not-field-athletic-teams-in-the-fall
OHIO - Tri-Valley Conference adds South Gallia
http://www.jjhuddle.com/blog/post-detail.php?p=2838
OHIO - Blackburn: Tri-Valley missed the boat
http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20090608/HSSPORTS/906080308/1006/SPORTS/Blackburn++Tri-Valley+missed+the+boat
OHIO - Neighbor eager to lead as ECOL commissioner
http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20090613/HSSPORTS/906130318/Neighbor-eager-to-lead-as-ECOL-commissioner&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
OHIO - Neighbor new ECOL head man
http://www.timesreporter.com/sports/x2085751044/Neighbor-new-ECOL-head-man
OHIO - Blue Devils closer to joining ECOL
http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/article/20090602/UPDATES04/90602021
All-American Conference staying together
http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/apr/28/all-american-conference-staying-together/?newswatch
Harmony in the All American Conference
http://www.wfmj.com/Global/story.asp?S=10267353&nav=menu491_5
Dan Messerschmidt: NOL has only itself to blame
http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/article/20090423/HSSPORTS/904230313/1006/SPORTS
Computer Points real reason Massillon, Harding denied by Federal League
http://www.jjhuddle.com/news/articles/2009/4/24/computer-points-real-reason-massillon-harding-denied-by-federal-league
Tigers turn eyes to other options
http://www.indeonline.com/sports/x50626049/Tigers-turn-eyes-to-other-options
Federal League will not expand; Harding independent
http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/apr/22/federal-league-will-not-expand/
Federal League will not expand
http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/x718263482/Federal-League-will-not-expand
Federal League says no to Massillon
http://www.indeonline.com/breaking/x126905544/Federal-League-says-no-to-Massillon
Sunday Special: It's a Federal decision
http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/browns/x126902399/Sunday-Special-Its-a-Federal-decision
If Fed grows to 10, Tigers are in
http://www.indeonline.com/local_news/x1579116813/If-Fed-grows-to-10-Tigers-are-in
SOC denies membership to Portsmouth, South Gallia
http://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&id=2235824-BREAKING+NEWS-+SOC+denies+membership+to+Portsmouth-+South+Gallia&article-BREAKING%20NEWS-%20SOC%20denies%20membership%20to%20Portsmouth-%20South%20Gallia%20=&widget=push&instance=secondary_news_left_column&open=&
4 schools leave AAC; Harding to Federal?
http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/apr/07/4-schools-leave-aac-harding-to-federal/?newswatch
Federal League explores 10-team format, that will include Massillon, Harding
http://www.cantonrep.com/sports/highschool/x180627416/Federal-League-expansion-down-to-Massillon-Warren-Harding
Schools contemplate leaving AAC
http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/520199.html?nav=5024
Salem wants to stay in All-American Conference
http://salemnews.net/page/content.detail/id/512299.html?nav=5097
Three looking for entry into Federal League
http://www.indeonline.com/sports/x1579110053/Three-looking-for-entry-into-Federal-League
West Shore Conference looking to expand
http://www.chroniclet.com/2009/03/28/high-schools-west-shore-conference-looking-to-expand/
GBC Sends Proposal to WBL To Merge
http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2009/Mar/26/ar_sports_032609_story3.asp?d=032609_story3,2009,Mar,26&c=s
Vince Koza: Lima Senior in the WBL?
http://wwww.limaohio.com/articles/koza_1382_limavarsity__article.html/lima_senior.html
Area leagues could be shifting
http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/article/20090128/HSSPORTS/901280318Upper Sandusky leaving NOL for North Central Conference
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2009/02/06/sports/1136317.txtUpper Sandusky approved to leave Northern Ohio League
http://m.sanduskyregister.com/topic/3841-Front%20Page/articles/190124637
Galion Looking At The NCC
http://www.wmfd.com/newsboard/singlesports.asp?Story=34754Galion seeks move to NCC
http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/article/20090214/SPORTS/902140314Galion officially leaves Northern Ohio League
http://m.sanduskyregister.com/topic/3841-Front%20Page/articles/190562085NCC approves Galion as league member
http://bucyrustelegraphforum.com/article/20090305/NEWS01/90305014
Barberton plans to leave Suburban League
http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/40423012.html
Tigers to Fed may be closer: Massillon officials began preparing for invite earlier this year
http://www.indeonline.com/local_news/x1872700502/Tigers-to-Fed-may-be-closer-Massillon-officials-began-preparing-for-invite-earlier-this-year
Mentor High School to leave Lake Erie League
http://www.ohiohssports.com/news/article/570245041/mentor-high-school-to-leave-lake-erie-league/