"Hypothetical" new D1/D2 league south of Columbus

[Sportfan97]

Well not the news I was hoping for but it was just announced on twitter so I can share and it’s still pretty exiting for the Lancaster Athletic Department.

Lancaster is upgrading Fulton field with Field Turf at an estimated cost of $875,000. In addition for new field turf they are planning on upgrades to the home side bleachers and a new press box.

[Raider6309]

Well that’s long overdue

[Pa Trojan]

should be a beautiful place after the upgrade

[noreply66]

about time

[bsee12345]

The OCC is voting on realignment this week according to story in Thisweeknews.com/sports.

Realignment would be the following if approved. Four 6 teams Divisions and one 8 team Division. Realignment would go into effect in 2020-21 school year.

Division 1-Gahanna, Grove City, New Albany, Pickerington North, Westerville Central and Westland

Division 2-Dubin Coffman, Hilliard Bradley, Hilliard Davidson, Olentangy Orange, Olentangy Liberty and Upper Arlington

Division 3-Dublin Jerome, Hilliard Darby, Olentangy, Olentangy Berlin, Marysville and Thomas Worthington

Division 4-Central Crossing, Lancaster, Groveport, Newark, Pickerington Central and Reynoldsburg

Division 5 (8 Teams)-Big Walnut, Canal Winchester, Delaware, Dublin Scioto, Franklin Hts, Westerville North, Westerville South and Worthington Kilbourne.

Division will be named at a later date.

[CruiserChief95]

Division 5 is just awful! If ever there was a reason for Canal to leave the OCC, this would be it! No more division rivalry with Groveport and travel stinks. Especially to Delaware on a weeknight! I guess if there is to be a new league formed, we will find out very soon.

[loganlocos]

The OCC is voting on realignment this week according to story in Thisweeknews.com/sports.

Realignment would be the following if approved. Four 6 teams Divisions and one 8 team Division. Realignment would go into effect in 2020-21 school year.

Division 1-Gahanna, Grove City, New Albany, Pickerington North, Westerville Central and Westland

Division 2-Dubin Coffman, Hilliard Bradley, Hilliard Davidson, Olentangy Orange, Olentangy Liberty and Upper Arlington

Division 3-Dublin Jerome, Hilliard Darby, Olentangy, Olentangy Berlin, Marysville and Thomas Worthington

Division 4-Central Crossing, Lancaster, Groveport, Newark, Pickerington Central and Reynoldsburg

Division 5 (8 Teams)-Big Walnut, Canal Winchester, Delaware, Dublin Scioto, Franklin Hts, Westerville North, Westerville South and Worthington Kilbourne.

Division will be named at a later date.

Will be interesting. Division 5 is obviously a bit of an "all you others" division.

Interesting to see Gahanna and Pick North shifted away from Rburg/Pick Central.

I mean I feel for OCC administrators. There is no way to make everyone happy. Too many old and new rivals. Too many multi HS districts that may or may not want to play each other.

Its a tough job.

[loganlocos]

Also - what I have to think schools like Newark, Lancaster, Groveport, Reynoldsburg, and Canal Winchester have to be thinking is this:

These proposed divisions might look good. But what happens in 2, 3, or 4 years when they have to align again? Will the problems that currently exist be thrust upon them again?

[CruiserChief95]

Looks like the OCC realignment passed by a surprising vote of 26-5. What does this mean for the future of the new league? Well, we don't yet know who cast the 5 "no" votes so we wait and see.

[formerfcfan]

I am told that the “no” votes came from Hilliard Bradley, Groveport-Madison, Canal Winchester, Westland, and New Albany. I am also told that Lancaster and Newark are intending to stay in the OCC, therefore withdrawing themselves from any further planning of a new league.

[Poo Bear]

So Logan is still homeless ?

[noreply66]

Until the next meeting from the others..which could be Groveport, Teays Valley, Logan, Zanesville, Canal.. Could this bring in New Albany and others now that Lancaster and Newark are off the table.

[GoBucks1047]

Until the next meeting from the others..which could be Groveport, Teays Valley, Logan, Zanesville, Canal.. Could this bring in New Albany and others now that Lancaster and Newark are off the table.

Don’t forget Whitehall-Yearling, Licking Heights, and Watkins Memorial. I think this brings certainly brings New Albany into the mix and maybe now Hamilton Township if Zanesville remains in the mix.

[formerfcfan]

What is more likely is a league of...

NA
TV
C.W.
G—M
HT
LH
WM



I don’t see New Albany entertaining a league possibility with Logan or Zanesville. NA wants to be in the OCC, but they are not happy with the alignment sent to them. But they’ll take that alignment over driving to Logan or Zanesville in rush hour traffic.

[noreply66]

Until the next meeting from the others..which could be Groveport, Teays Valley, Logan, Zanesville, Canal.. Could this bring in New Albany and others now that Lancaster and Newark are off the table.

Don’t forget Whitehall-Yearling, Licking Heights, and Watkins Memorial. I think this brings certainly brings New Albany into the mix and maybe now Hamilton Township if Zanesville remains in the mix.

Forgot about those school mostly Watkins Memorial.

[Raider6309]

So Logan is still homeless ?

Yep. Looks like they could be homeless for a long time

[noreply66]

And Athens will remain in the land of the good little people.

[Poo Bear]

And Athens will remain in the land of the good little people.

Man I'm not taking shots at Logan. I really hate it for the Chieftains. I wish they could find a home. At least the chieftains and Ironmen will be playing again in 2019.
Hopefully for the IronChief trophy

[formerfcfan]

The earliest that a new league with Lancaster and Newark could’ve started would have been the 2020-2021 school year. The 2020-2021 school is also when the new OCC realignment occurs.

Lancaster and Newark committed to continued participation in the OCC through at least the spring of 2021. Had they wanted out, the window existed for the new league to have started at the earliest possible time. But that will not be happening, and while it is plausible that Lancaster and Newark is afforded the possibility to leave in 2022 it is very unlikely that will be the case.

My best guess if you want a Lancaster and Newark partnership in a new league? 2024-2025. They’re obligated to give two years notice and they’re obligated, as “yes” voters, to participate in at least one whole year in the new alignment.



....


Licking Heights & Watkins Memorial might go for the new league proposal, but Whitehall-Yearling would not.

Best guess: (1) LH, WM, GM, CW, TV, HT; or, (2) LH, WM, GM, CW, TV, HT, L, ZV; or, (3) LH, WM, GM, CW, L, ZV.

Of the options listed above, they all have drawbacks. With option 1, you cut out drives to Zanesville and Logan but it expects that TV & HT actually want to leave the MSL; with option 2, you have eight teams but the added mileage of trips to ZV & Logan plus the assumption TV & HT would want to leave what is a very solid league in the MSL-Buckeye; with option 3, the MSL is preserved but you have the mileage to consider.

[noreply66]

And Athens will remain in the land of the good little people.

Man I'm not taking shots at Logan. I really hate it for the Chieftains. I wish they could find a home. At least the chieftains and Ironmen will be playing again in 2019.
Hopefully for the IronChief trophy

The shot was at 6309