Is the SEOAL a dead horse?

[kvnchambers]

I think the SEOAL will survive. But it will be much different then it is now. but the same can be said for the tvc and the ovc and more. in the next 3 to 5 years i think most traditional conferences as we know them will no longer exist because of economics. But economics works both ways. I think we will see 3 or 4 SEO football only league formed. i think these will be really fun. Football is one sport that besides varsity your freshmen and j.v. teams play whoever. but bus trips on fridays nights not really an issue. i think this is where seoal will survive as a football only league. i think you will see some old and some new members. We have already scene tvc teams join SEOAL for soccer so probably will be a soocer league to with a few different members then football. but baseball, softball, basketball and such i think you will see almost county lleagues form. like gallia, jackson and one other county be a league and so forth. because every team makes the playoffs in those leagues who yo play in league menas little you can still schedule who you want non league.

same for things like wrestling. i think some schools will have to cut some sports and that is what will lead to the changes.

[93Bulldog]

The SEOAL expansion situation was before the TVC opportunity presented itself ... I've been told by a few people that they never dreamed such a proposition would ever arise ...

it wasn't a case of "travel concerns" ... it was more like "the TVC just offered a much better travel situation".

its just like breaking up with one girl to date another you think is better Dundas ... yea, she and all her friends hate you for awhile - but what can you do - you did what you thought was right for yourself ...

[Dundas]

The SEOAL expansion situation was before the TVC opportunity presented itself ... I've been told by a few people that they never dreamed such a proposition would ever arise ...

it wasn't a case of "travel concerns" ... it was more like "the TVC just offered a much better travel situation".

its just like breaking up with one girl to date another you think is better Dundas ... yea, she and all her friends hate you for awhile - but what can you do - you did what you thought was right for yourself ...

I see bulldog. So, did Athens make the first move or did the TVC reach out to them? Also, do you know the vote count for Athens and who voted no? Just curious.

[93Bulldog]

I have no idea Dundas ... and I'm only stating what "I feel" about the situation - by no means to do I have any connections to Athens besides graduating from their ... I will try and find out some actual facts though - maybe it could settle some of the different points of view on here.

I did read the articles that came out when the change was made - and it provided a lot of info ... but I think more could have been added.

[questionmark]

93- you are absolutely right...
Paladin has clearly made up his mind and will never forgive Athens for breaking his heart leaving him and the SEOAL for multiple reasons...

To think Athens has just come into the League and dominated everything is a slight to every other team who have built strong programs way before Athens entered the TVC. Nelsonville-York is still the Football Powerhouse in the Conference, it is what they know, it is what they do. (See All Their Championships & Play-Off Appearences). Alexander Volleyball is the team to beat. Vinton County in Boys B-Ball.

The only sport you could say Athens has come in and dominated could be Baseball. Winning the League Title every year but one. However, Athens Baseball has been the Best Athletic Program in the schools history. Athens has the most Baseball Championships in SEOAL history with 24. I believe Jackson is the 2nd somewhere in the teens (Could be wrong on this one, and if so please feel free to correct.)

I guess what we are trying to convince people of is there is more than just Football. There is more than just High School sports.

I do not wish ill-will on the SEOAL, heck I played in it and enjoyed what I feel was the HeyDay of the League when Athletes like Grant Gregory, Donnie Johnson, Bonecutter Bros. & Simmons Bros. & Conrads Bros. & Amigos Bros., Jared Humphreys and Swisher. But, those days are long gone. I understand that and have moved one. Some have not and will never be able to...I loved the League when I was a player but it has changed...I really enjoy the TVC now as a Coach especially because you can go to work, have your kids compete, and be home and spend time with your family...

[Dundas]

It would be great if you could reach out to some admins from the other TVC Ohio schools and ask their thoughts as to why they voted yes or no. I think the TVC is better with Athens in the league personally.

[93Bulldog]

When Nelsonville-York gets done counting all the money they made Friday night - I'll ask them Dundas.

[Dundas]

When Nelsonville-York gets done counting all the money they made Friday night - I'll ask them Dundas.

Lol

[noreply66]

How about my point of view ...

why drive one hour and play in front of 100 people ... when you can drive 15 minutes and play in front of 2,000?
why welcome the 50 people Portsmouth brought to R. Basil Rutter field (the last time we played them) ... when you can welcome 3,000+ that attened the NY/Athens game last year?
why drive an hour-and-half on a Tuesday night to play Portsmouth - or even the hour drive to Warren or Gallia - when you can drive the 10 minutes it takes to Alex and NY? (THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER SPORTS BESIDES FOOTBALL)

MONEY, TIME, TRAVEL ... ALL GAINED IN SWITCHING LEAGUES ... and don't forget a league affiliation goes all the way down to the 7th and 8th grade teams ... the weeknight road trips for 12 and 13 year olds to Portsmouth, Warren, Gallia and Chillicothe (cause they were in back then) I'm sure helped the decision.

Face it ... switching leagues benefited Athens in every way, shape or form ...

I'm sure Athens saw a much better opportunity and they took it - I wouldn't blame anyone for making such a decision ... you do something to better yourself - good for you - who am I to pass judgement.

When Athens was dropping Friday night games week after week the fans stopped showing up. It might seem if Athens keeps beating these other TVC teams so bad these fans from the other teams will stop showing up at home and away games. This will lead to the TVC schools
bringing in very little gate money against Athens. Making a good thing come to an end.

I don't want the SEOAL to fall apart so I would want Athens, Marietta back. Where Athens made the right move for now, Marietta's move is turning out to be terrible.

[javagt]

Blame me on the SEOAL problems. I have lived in Waverly, Chillicothe, Athens and Marietta. I won't move again,
I promise.

[85cruiser]

How about my point of view ...

why drive one hour and play in front of 100 people ... when you can drive 15 minutes and play in front of 2,000?
why welcome the 50 people Portsmouth brought to R. Basil Rutter field (the last time we played them) ... when you can welcome 3,000+ that attened the NY/Athens game last year?
why drive an hour-and-half on a Tuesday night to play Portsmouth - or even the hour drive to Warren or Gallia - when you can drive the 10 minutes it takes to Alex and NY? (THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER SPORTS BESIDES FOOTBALL)

MONEY, TIME, TRAVEL ... ALL GAINED IN SWITCHING LEAGUES ... and don't forget a league affiliation goes all the way down to the 7th and 8th grade teams ... the weeknight road trips for 12 and 13 year olds to Portsmouth, Warren, Gallia and Chillicothe (cause they were in back then) I'm sure helped the decision.

Face it ... switching leagues benefited Athens in every way, shape or form ...

I'm sure Athens saw a much better opportunity and they took it - I wouldn't blame anyone for making such a decision ... you do something to better yourself - good for you - who am I to pass judgement.

When Athens was dropping Friday night games week after week the fans stopped showing up. It might seem if Athens keeps beating these other TVC teams so bad these fans from the other teams will stop showing up at home and away games. This will lead to the TVC schools
bringing in very little gate money against Athens. Making a good thing come to an end.

I don't want the SEOAL to fall apart so I would want Athens, Marietta back. Where Athens made the right move for now, Marietta's move is turning out to be terrible.

I see the point your trying to make noreply66......but assuming Athens dominates the TVC in football year after year, which is a huge assumption by the way, I doubt losing to any dominate team year after year will break the bank. Maybe losing every game, every season, year after year would affect the fan base.

Alexander DV school, lost four out of the last five games against Athens and they already knew our winning record coming into that game, yet the home side stadium, fence and endzone was packed with Spartan fans, the Athens fans filled the entire visitors side, and fence nearly around the visitors side of the endzone. The concessions had lines formed to it most of the night also. The game results were probably a disappointment to some of the fans, but I bet there was a ton of money made from that one game for that district.

[Paladin]

Which is why I expect both back, noreply. Marietta is beyond laughable. Especially with both Ironton and Chilli leaving ( long trips) and Portsmouth looking for an option. Travel for them will be cut drastically. But competition wise, they jumped from the frying pan into the fire. They can't play with anyone there, not even D-VI Rosecrans. And its not just football. The whole slate of sports is getting killed and will continue to be. But the biggest laugh is Athens, who chucked 70 years of history to beat some smaller schools. I see where 93bulldog is attempting to cloud the issue with the numbers game. Portsmouth knew full well ahead of time the student enrollments they would compete with. Athens also knew the numbers in the TVC and jumped to become the big dog. But then, they didn't have much hope left , they were so uncompetitive in the SEOAL. I've looked at the league titles, boys &girls and Athens clearly is dominating. I expected they would . That why I wanted to keep them on Logan's schedule ( computer points ) but Athens CANCELLED a contract with Logan for non-league games. That would have been close and a $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ game too, but ........................... well, everyone gets the picture. As for me being upset, there s the door. I simply expect Athens will be very unwelcome shortly as a big dog lunching on the small fry and people will look for a solution to the problem. Up here, when that problem arises, the affected schools meet ( excluding Athens) and form a new league without them. Presto -- done. Or there will be a break away with members slowly leaving over time. Either way I don't see the rest of the TVC living with the situation, no matter the contrived reason -- travel or $$$$$$$$. The competition is unbalanced and boards, administrators and coaches will seek to rectify the problem. Athens days of slumming it are numbered.

So the SEOAL continues with Logan, Jackson, Gallia, Warren, maybe Portsmouth but probably not for much longer with Marietta realizing their mistake seeking to return and the Athens debacle being settled ( maybe against their will, lol).

[85cruiser]

Is this really a "Is the SEOAL a dead horse?" thread, or is it an Athens bashing thread because your still upset at the utterly embarrassing 50-0 butt whooping Nelsonville York laid on you so you have to cry to someone else thread?

[Paladin]

I've made my point -- the SEOAL will surivie. And I expect some former members to return. Gave reasons why. As for Athens, I'm only stating what most think. There are a few who believe that others will stand still for unbalanced competition and use other reasons to justify it. I never bought that crap.

[93Bulldog]

I wasn't aware their is a difference between Nelsonville-York winning the TVC-Ohio EVERY single year and Athens winning it the last two ...

so Athens leaves ...

Now your back to Nelsonville-York dominating the league.

so Athens leaves ...

and your back to Vinton County dominating the hardwood.

girls sports are completely even ... been a great rivalry with Alexander, Athens and Nelsonville-York the last few years - with Wellston, Meigs and Vinton having good teams in certain sports.

fact of the matter is - the TVC is in great shape ... its been a win-win for everyone.

- peace

[noreply66]

Blame me on the SEOAL problems. I have lived in Waverly, Chillicothe, Athens and Marietta. I won't move again,
I promise.

I knew this all the time but didn't want to hurt your feelings.

[questionmark]

Ol' Paladin...
"Unbalanced Competition?...Really?"

I wasn't aware Athens was breaking any rules in the games. It isn't like Athens is playing 11 boys against 2 boys. Now that my friend would be an unbalanced competition (Unless you had 2 heckuva boys who could play some ball )

You state that the TVC schools won't stand for this kind of a League for many more years. Yet, not one TVC school has a problem with Athens in the TVC and it has been 4 years (see Dundas comments). The Football title has come down to Week 10 each season. That is a dream scenario for a League. (Big Title Game = Big Money for the Schools = Everybody WIns!)

Lastly, we don't need you to buy anything (Unless it is a ticket to watch Athens vs. Circleville this Saturday ) We at Athens don't need to think about Logan. We have never liked Logan & never will on the Gridiron, Hardwood or Diamond. But I have met/played some great Logan guys in my time. Austin Rohr, Cody Disbennet and Gage Mellor all represented Logan High School the way every Coach would ask of his players. But it is people like you that make it so easy to hate the color Purple! And that is not fair to every other Logan poster (noreply) who actually support area teams with positive conversation.

Good Luck to Athens & Trimble & Wahama from the TVC and Gallia Academy from the SEOAL in the Play-Offs! It is time for the Southeastern Part of Ohio (WV for Wahama) to win some dang Play-Off Games!

[Paladin]

I wouldn't look for many wins in the playoffs. Maybe against another SEO school. Match ups with teams not from SEO usually don't go well. But thats another subject.

So lets sum you up -- the TVC is happy to have Athens in the league winning most of the sports as the biggest school and no one has a problem with that. Got ya. Good luck with that. See you back in the SEOAL.

[A-Town Big Dog]

Paladin: Unfortunately you are correct on the playoff situation, Southern Ohio in general and especially Southeastern Ohio doesn't fair well against teams from other regions of the state these days and it isn't just a few schools in a region or two, it is virtually every team in every division nearly every year as of late. With the exception of the first round this year, I wouldn't expect to see more than a win or two if that from the area again this season.

[Paladin]

Unfortunately A-town, this will be an especially bad year for SEO in the playoffs. Had planned to do a thread on that, but too many poor sports here. Reality will slap most into submission without me doing that thread.