Downfall of the SEOAL

[Dundas]

You all are overlooking the real tragedy: the SVAC is no more

The TVC killed the Svac.

[loganlocos]

After looking more into, besides 3 maybe four teams, it looked like the SEOAL never could figure out who they were. River Valley, Point, Zanesville, Marietta, Chillicothe, Ironton. I know not all of them were in at the same time but why add half of those teams. Even some of the teams who were close were not good fits for the league.

It was always a North/South thing.

The SEOAL nearly died in the early '80s. Waverly, Wellston, Meigs, and Ironton left within a short window. By the end of the '84/'85 school year the league was down to Athens, Gallia, Jackson, and Logan.

Portsmouth and Marietta were both asked about joining. And both applied for membership.

Logan and Athens weren't thrilled with Portsmouth, while Jackson threatened to leave if Marietta was accepted. Marietta was much bigger than the rest of the league in terms of enrollment at the time and the travel to Jackson/Gallia wasn't great.

Logan and Athens threatened to leave and even jointly applied for membership in the SCOL unless Marietta was accepted. The SCOL turned away both schools.

Portsmouth eventually withdrew their application.

Marietta joined the league '85/'86 with Warren following in '86/'87. Jackson obviously did NOT leave the league at that point. Those "core 6" stuck together for 25 years.



I've always thought the addition of River Valley and Point Pleasant ('94 and '96 respectively) were to balance out the North/South conundrum and give some shorter trips to Jackson and especially Gallipolis.

RV left after 2001 and PP after 2003, going back to the "core 6".

[loganlocos]

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=4119

[countywide35]

tough subject and hits home.


LoganLocos puts the facts out there in this thread. He’s spot on.

[Raider6309]

Athens vs Alexander was sold out by the JV game. Logan brought mom and dad to Athens. Money always rules

[Ironman92]

Athens vs Alexander was sold out by the JV game. Logan brought mom and dad to Athens. Money always rules

Not when it’s Jackson/Wellston football

[Raider6309]

I think that’s more Jackson lost to Wellston and Jackson stole it’s QB. Under Hall the recruiting has really picked up

[loganlocos]

Athens vs Alexander was sold out by the JV game. Logan brought mom and dad to Athens. Money always rules

When Athens was in the SEOAL in the '90s and '00s Logan had more fans in McAfee than Athens.

[93Bulldog]

Athens vs Alexander was sold out by the JV game. Logan brought mom and dad to Athens. Money always rules

When Athens was in the SEOAL in the '90s and '00s Logan had more fans in McAfee than Athens.

Not in 1990 & 1993.
We gave you one slither of seating behind visiting bench and that was it. 3/4 gym was Athens. Lol

[hardhitter ll]

I think that’s more Jackson lost to Wellston and Jackson stole it’s QB. Under Hall the recruiting has really picked up

This new guy at Meigs has caused an uptick in recruiting as well. Already a few good ones from around the county coming in. Meigs will be much improved next year for sure.

[NYBuckeye96]

I've done some research on NY school history via old editions of the Logan Daily News. Here is an article that talks about NY first considering leaving the SEOAL (back when it was called the SEOL). Also, note that the article makes reference to Fort Frye joining the TVC, but that never panned out. I still have not found out what happened there.

Friday, February 21, 1969
Will Nelsonville-York Leave SEOL? No Immediate Action Planned By Board

Over 50 persons attended a meeting of Nelsonville-York school board members, coaches, parents and students last night to discuss the possibility of the Buckeyes withdrawing from the Southeastern Ohio League and joining the Tri-Valley Athletic Conference.

An informal vote conducted among those present showed 12 in favor of remaining in the SEO league and 34 for going into the TVAC.

Richard Hubbard, school board president, stressed today, however, that the board will make no immediate decision. “We’re not rushing the issue,” he said. “We want to explore all the ramifications before we take any action.”

The board will discuss the issue again at its next regular meeting March 11. Hubbard said school officials want to attend the next Tri-Valley Conference meeting before reaching a decision.

Hubbard conducted last night’s session and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to give the board an idea about the feelings of school officials, parents and students before any action is taken on a letter inviting Nelsonville-York to join the TVAC.

He stressed the board must determine what is best for the school concerning athletics and what is best for the students and athletes themselves.

Nelsonville was a charter member when the SEO League was founded in 1924, Hubbard reported, but times have changed in recent years with schools consolidating. Nelsonville, even after its consolidation with York, is at the bottom of the SEOL list in enrollment, he said.

He displayed a chart showing 1968-69 enrollment figures in the upper three grades for members of both loops as follows:
Southeastern Ohio League – Athens, 900 total and 374 boys; Gallipolis, 814 and 278; Jackson, 700 and 406; Ironton, 700 and 339; Logan, 700 and 325; Meigs 668 and 356; Wellston, 483 and 350; Nelsonville-York 420 and 205 (now under 200).

Tri-Valley Conference – Vinton County, 575 total and 271 boys; Warren Local, 525 and 249; Belpre, 450 and 213; Federal-Hocking 352 and 158; Fort Frye, 295 and 162.

Hubbard said Nelsonville-York had beaten Vinton County, Warren Local and Fort Frye in football in recent seasons.

Bob Sheskey, head basketball coach and N-Y athletic director, said after 13 years in the SEO League he feels that N-Y teams cannot win and urged that the school accept the invitation to join the Tri-Valley Conference.

Supt. Jack Hillyer and the other coaches on the N-Y staff agreed they feel it would be best to go into the younger league. Hillyer, who coached four years before going into administration, said he could look at it from both sides. “The most important part is to consider the boys,” he said.

Dave Boston, football coach, said he conducted a survey of students and found only six in favor of staying in the SEOL while 59 were for getting out.

A letter was read from Dude Howe, along with a petition carrying the names of 50 Nelsonville boosters who want to stay in the SEOL.

Lowell Cole, former Nelsonville coach, said he would like to see the consolidation in effect a while longer before making a decision. His statements were echoed by several others.

Jim Lee said he feels the school should develop its athletic program better, stressing fundamentals from the seventh grade up.

Coaches and citizens alike were concerned about the decreasing number of boys participating in school athletic programs and the reasons behind it.

Jack Osborne said he thought when Nelsonville and York consolidated, the school could compete in the SEO League, but now the kids get the attitude they can’t win. He said the school is in athletics for the kids and they would get more recognition in the other league. He also mentioned the injury factor, that fewer are getting scholarships and that good coaches won’t stay under existing conditions.

[countywide35]

I've done some research on NY school history via old editions of the Logan Daily News. Here is an article that talks about NY first considering leaving the SEOAL (back when it was called the SEOL). Also, note that the article makes reference to Fort Frye joining the TVC, but that never panned out. I still have not found out what happened there.

Friday, February 21, 1969
Will Nelsonville-York Leave SEOL? No Immediate Action Planned By Board

Over 50 persons attended a meeting of Nelsonville-York school board members, coaches, parents and students last night to discuss the possibility of the Buckeyes withdrawing from the Southeastern Ohio League and joining the Tri-Valley Athletic Conference.

An informal vote conducted among those present showed 12 in favor of remaining in the SEO league and 34 for going into the TVAC.

Richard Hubbard, school board president, stressed today, however, that the board will make no immediate decision. “We’re not rushing the issue,” he said. “We want to explore all the ramifications before we take any action.”

The board will discuss the issue again at its next regular meeting March 11. Hubbard said school officials want to attend the next Tri-Valley Conference meeting before reaching a decision.

Hubbard conducted last night’s session and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to give the board an idea about the feelings of school officials, parents and students before any action is taken on a letter inviting Nelsonville-York to join the TVAC.

He stressed the board must determine what is best for the school concerning athletics and what is best for the students and athletes themselves.

Nelsonville was a charter member when the SEO League was founded in 1924, Hubbard reported, but times have changed in recent years with schools consolidating. Nelsonville, even after its consolidation with York, is at the bottom of the SEOL list in enrollment, he said.

He displayed a chart showing 1968-69 enrollment figures in the upper three grades for members of both loops as follows:
Southeastern Ohio League – Athens, 900 total and 374 boys; Gallipolis, 814 and 278; Jackson, 700 and 406; Ironton, 700 and 339; Logan, 700 and 325; Meigs 668 and 356; Wellston, 483 and 350; Nelsonville-York 420 and 205 (now under 200).

Tri-Valley Conference – Vinton County, 575 total and 271 boys; Warren Local, 525 and 249; Belpre, 450 and 213; Federal-Hocking 352 and 158; Fort Frye, 295 and 162.

Hubbard said Nelsonville-York had beaten Vinton County, Warren Local and Fort Frye in football in recent seasons.

Bob Sheskey, head basketball coach and N-Y athletic director, said after 13 years in the SEO League he feels that N-Y teams cannot win and urged that the school accept the invitation to join the Tri-Valley Conference.

Supt. Jack Hillyer and the other coaches on the N-Y staff agreed they feel it would be best to go into the younger league. Hillyer, who coached four years before going into administration, said he could look at it from both sides. “The most important part is to consider the boys,” he said.

Dave Boston, football coach, said he conducted a survey of students and found only six in favor of staying in the SEOL while 59 were for getting out.

A letter was read from Dude Howe, along with a petition carrying the names of 50 Nelsonville boosters who want to stay in the SEOL.

Lowell Cole, former Nelsonville coach, said he would like to see the consolidation in effect a while longer before making a decision. His statements were echoed by several others.

Jim Lee said he feels the school should develop its athletic program better, stressing fundamentals from the seventh grade up.

Coaches and citizens alike were concerned about the decreasing number of boys participating in school athletic programs and the reasons behind it.

Jack Osborne said he thought when Nelsonville and York consolidated, the school could compete in the SEO League, but now the kids get the attitude they can’t win. He said the school is in athletics for the kids and they would get more recognition in the other league. He also mentioned the injury factor, that fewer are getting scholarships and that good coaches won’t stay under existing conditions.

Thanks for posting this !!! Great read.

[MrFirstTake]

I wish this league would come back

[Jim Ryan]

I wish this league would come back

I wish the SVAC would come back too. This TVC crap that's going on is hurting the schools that were in the old league. If they don't let us go to 3 divisions so we can play who we want I think we should lead the charge to get out of the league and form our own. I'm sure we have some others that will join us.

[noreply66]

I've done some research on NY school history via old editions of the Logan Daily News. Here is an article that talks about NY first considering leaving the SEOAL (back when it was called the SEOL). Also, note that the article makes reference to Fort Frye joining the TVC, but that never panned out. I still have not found out what happened there.

Friday, February 21, 1969
Will Nelsonville-York Leave SEOL? No Immediate Action Planned By Board

Over 50 persons attended a meeting of Nelsonville-York school board members, coaches, parents and students last night to discuss the possibility of the Buckeyes withdrawing from the Southeastern Ohio League and joining the Tri-Valley Athletic Conference.

An informal vote conducted among those present showed 12 in favor of remaining in the SEO league and 34 for going into the TVAC.

Richard Hubbard, school board president, stressed today, however, that the board will make no immediate decision. “We’re not rushing the issue,” he said. “We want to explore all the ramifications before we take any action.”

The board will discuss the issue again at its next regular meeting March 11. Hubbard said school officials want to attend the next Tri-Valley Conference meeting before reaching a decision.

Hubbard conducted last night’s session and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to give the board an idea about the feelings of school officials, parents and students before any action is taken on a letter inviting Nelsonville-York to join the TVAC.

He stressed the board must determine what is best for the school concerning athletics and what is best for the students and athletes themselves.

Nelsonville was a charter member when the SEO League was founded in 1924, Hubbard reported, but times have changed in recent years with schools consolidating. Nelsonville, even after its consolidation with York, is at the bottom of the SEOL list in enrollment, he said.

He displayed a chart showing 1968-69 enrollment figures in the upper three grades for members of both loops as follows:
Southeastern Ohio League – Athens, 900 total and 374 boys; Gallipolis, 814 and 278; Jackson, 700 and 406; Ironton, 700 and 339; Logan, 700 and 325; Meigs 668 and 356; Wellston, 483 and 350; Nelsonville-York 420 and 205 (now under 200).

Tri-Valley Conference – Vinton County, 575 total and 271 boys; Warren Local, 525 and 249; Belpre, 450 and 213; Federal-Hocking 352 and 158; Fort Frye, 295 and 162.

Hubbard said Nelsonville-York had beaten Vinton County, Warren Local and Fort Frye in football in recent seasons.

Bob Sheskey, head basketball coach and N-Y athletic director, said after 13 years in the SEO League he feels that N-Y teams cannot win and urged that the school accept the invitation to join the Tri-Valley Conference.

Supt. Jack Hillyer and the other coaches on the N-Y staff agreed they feel it would be best to go into the younger league. Hillyer, who coached four years before going into administration, said he could look at it from both sides. “The most important part is to consider the boys,” he said.

Dave Boston, football coach, said he conducted a survey of students and found only six in favor of staying in the SEOL while 59 were for getting out.

A letter was read from Dude Howe, along with a petition carrying the names of 50 Nelsonville boosters who want to stay in the SEOL.

Lowell Cole, former Nelsonville coach, said he would like to see the consolidation in effect a while longer before making a decision. His statements were echoed by several others.

Jim Lee said he feels the school should develop its athletic program better, stressing fundamentals from the seventh grade up.

Coaches and citizens alike were concerned about the decreasing number of boys participating in school athletic programs and the reasons behind it.

Jack Osborne said he thought when Nelsonville and York consolidated, the school could compete in the SEO League, but now the kids get the attitude they can’t win. He said the school is in athletics for the kids and they would get more recognition in the other league. He also mentioned the injury factor, that fewer are getting scholarships and that good coaches won’t stay under existing conditions.

nice

[Orange and Brown]

I've done some research on NY school history via old editions of the Logan Daily News. Here is an article that talks about NY first considering leaving the SEOAL (back when it was called the SEOL). Also, note that the article makes reference to Fort Frye joining the TVC, but that never panned out. I still have not found out what happened there.

Friday, February 21, 1969
Will Nelsonville-York Leave SEOL? No Immediate Action Planned By Board

Over 50 persons attended a meeting of Nelsonville-York school board members, coaches, parents and students last night to discuss the possibility of the Buckeyes withdrawing from the Southeastern Ohio League and joining the Tri-Valley Athletic Conference.

An informal vote conducted among those present showed 12 in favor of remaining in the SEO league and 34 for going into the TVAC.

Richard Hubbard, school board president, stressed today, however, that the board will make no immediate decision. “We’re not rushing the issue,” he said. “We want to explore all the ramifications before we take any action.”

The board will discuss the issue again at its next regular meeting March 11. Hubbard said school officials want to attend the next Tri-Valley Conference meeting before reaching a decision.

Hubbard conducted last night’s session and stated that the purpose of the meeting was to give the board an idea about the feelings of school officials, parents and students before any action is taken on a letter inviting Nelsonville-York to join the TVAC.

He stressed the board must determine what is best for the school concerning athletics and what is best for the students and athletes themselves.

Nelsonville was a charter member when the SEO League was founded in 1924, Hubbard reported, but times have changed in recent years with schools consolidating. Nelsonville, even after its consolidation with York, is at the bottom of the SEOL list in enrollment, he said.

He displayed a chart showing 1968-69 enrollment figures in the upper three grades for members of both loops as follows:
Southeastern Ohio League – Athens, 900 total and 374 boys; Gallipolis, 814 and 278; Jackson, 700 and 406; Ironton, 700 and 339; Logan, 700 and 325; Meigs 668 and 356; Wellston, 483 and 350; Nelsonville-York 420 and 205 (now under 200).

Tri-Valley Conference – Vinton County, 575 total and 271 boys; Warren Local, 525 and 249; Belpre, 450 and 213; Federal-Hocking 352 and 158; Fort Frye, 295 and 162.

Hubbard said Nelsonville-York had beaten Vinton County, Warren Local and Fort Frye in football in recent seasons.

Bob Sheskey, head basketball coach and N-Y athletic director, said after 13 years in the SEO League he feels that N-Y teams cannot win and urged that the school accept the invitation to join the Tri-Valley Conference.

Supt. Jack Hillyer and the other coaches on the N-Y staff agreed they feel it would be best to go into the younger league. Hillyer, who coached four years before going into administration, said he could look at it from both sides. “The most important part is to consider the boys,” he said.

Dave Boston, football coach, said he conducted a survey of students and found only six in favor of staying in the SEOL while 59 were for getting out.

A letter was read from Dude Howe, along with a petition carrying the names of 50 Nelsonville boosters who want to stay in the SEOL.

Lowell Cole, former Nelsonville coach, said he would like to see the consolidation in effect a while longer before making a decision. His statements were echoed by several others.

Jim Lee said he feels the school should develop its athletic program better, stressing fundamentals from the seventh grade up.

Coaches and citizens alike were concerned about the decreasing number of boys participating in school athletic programs and the reasons behind it.

Jack Osborne said he thought when Nelsonville and York consolidated, the school could compete in the SEO League, but now the kids get the attitude they can’t win. He said the school is in athletics for the kids and they would get more recognition in the other league. He also mentioned the injury factor, that fewer are getting scholarships and that good coaches won’t stay under existing conditions.

I wonder what year the SEOL added Athletic to its name and what year the TVC dropped it....

[NYBuckeye96]

Researching history tends to bring more questions than answers. I have wondered about the "Athletic" thing too......SEOL and TVAC? Fort Frye in the TVC? The SEOAL, er SEOL, schools were very gracious in NY's departure. From the November 10, 1969 Logan Daily News.....

In other business, association members passed a resolution commending Nelsonville-York for its contributions to the SEO League through close relationships and excellent rapport; expressing their regrets at seeing Nelsonville-York leave the SEO League, but agreeing with the move for the school’s sake, and wishing the Buckeyes the best of luck in their new league affiliation.

Nelsonville-York will switch to the Tri-Valley Athletic Conference in 1970-71.

The association also invited representatives of Waverly, which will replace Nelsonville-York in the SEO League, to attend association meetings and league sports banquets the remainder of this year as a means of getting acquainted.

[Orange and Brown]

Researching history tends to bring more questions than answers. I have wondered about the "Athletic" thing too......SEOL and TVAC? Fort Frye in the TVC? The SEOAL, er SEOL, schools were very gracious in NY's departure. From the November 10, 1969 Logan Daily News.....

In other business, association members passed a resolution commending Nelsonville-York for its contributions to the SEO League through close relationships and excellent rapport; expressing their regrets at seeing Nelsonville-York leave the SEO League, but agreeing with the move for the school’s sake, and wishing the Buckeyes the best of luck in their new league affiliation.

Nelsonville-York will switch to the Tri-Valley Athletic Conference in 1970-71.

The association also invited representatives of Waverly, which will replace Nelsonville-York in the SEO League, to attend association meetings and league sports banquets the remainder of this year as a means of getting acquainted.

I can look thru the trophy case and see if I can figure out the TVC lol

[Chief Kdogg]

Well, it looks like the SEOAL didn't start until sometime after 1969. So, it's not as old as a lot of the people on here claims it is.

[loganlocos]

It was always the SEOAL.

However - most of the time the media skipped the “A.”

This is back when each individual letter had to be set in typeface for printing. Lots of things were shortened for convenience.