MAL-FUNCTION In A High School Conference

MAL-FUNCTION In A High School Athletic Conference

By Dave Schmidt – www.theseniorreports.com

January 14, 2013- This story will feature recent happenings of the Midland Athletic League in northwest Ohio, but it could be any conference, even yours.

Midland Athletic League

WITHDRAW - Carey, Mohawk and Seneca East to join Northern 10

- a new conference

WITHDRAW -

North Baltimore (2014) to join Blanchard Valley Conference

Hopewell-Loudon (2014) to join Blanchard Valley Conference

UPDATE - North Baltimore and Hopewell-Loudon

will remain in every MAL sport but football, both

schools will be full members of the Blanchard Valley

Conference (the MAL part of this may not take place)

Over the past several months a group of MAL members have been trying to put together a new group of members and changing the name of the conference to the Sandusky Rivers League. The new SRL is based on being able to put a football schedule together, the remaining MAL members are at five football schools, The hope is to be able to have at least six, but eight is the goal. By forming a new conference instead of expanding the MAL, two current MAL members are not a part of the this deal – Bettsville and Fostoria St. Wendelin.

The entire “changing” process of the MAL started several years ago when members voted not to expand. ** The next change was when three football members decided to leave to join a new conference the Northern 10. Two of these three schools voted against having Gibsonburg and Elmwood join the league. They did not want the league to expand to ten football schools. That was the first “exodus” which was followed by two more football members leaving to join the Blanchard Valley Conference, although in recent weeks those two members had been willing to remain as members in every sport but football. But when the SRL meeting took place, North Baltimore was not included in the talks. Hopewell-Loudon gave us a statement they were not leaving the BVC, “rumors” had them leaving to play football in the new SRL.

During this time talks were going on between the Northern Ohio League and Sandusky Bay Conference about the future conference make-up in the area. This is when “rumors” started to take place that Margaretta and Sandusky St. Mary Central Catholic decided to leave the SBC and join the new SRL. Margaretta had a “public forum” on January 7^th to discuss possible athletic conference issues. (We tried several times to get information from that “public meeting”, but no reply from school officials.) We know that possibly at least one other SBC school was considering a move to the SRL.

We are also aware that other football schools were invited to attend the SRL meeting, Norwalk St. Paul verified they had been asked to join the new group but said no and will remain in the Firelands Conference. The “rumor” mill has been working overtime with talks of schools from the Toledo Area Athletic Conference and Northern Buckeye Conference also looking at moves to the SRL.

Supposedly we are to hear a formal announcement on this when a “sixth” football member is in place. To this point in time, nothing official has been released. Does this mean somebody has backed out? We don’t know, because no one will answer that question.

Why did we write this article? Good question for sure.

The main reason is to show that by keeping issues “secret” and behind “closed doors” you create a lot of problems for you and your athletic program. Public schools are obligated in my mind to be open and upfront about matters facing their school systems. The attitude of “mind your own business” does not work. But the public schools involved in this situation have decided that the public and media needs not know any of the details. Most local media will avoid printing known information if the schools ask them to not print it. I wonder how many school board officials are aware of what is taking place, if they know as elected officials of the school district they should make sure the information is out there. We could have tried to get this information by invoking the “Freedom of Information” act, but we will not and neither will area media. If the government thinks it is important enough that information like this be public, it should be. Private schools I have no issue with on not releasing information, but I can tell you this I had more replies to request from those schools then the publics. To show you how public schools handle this, one principal included this in his email reply to us: Please refrain from publishing any further rumors or discussions regarding this matter and our school. Really? Excuse me, what are you afraid of?

Another reason we wrote this is we wanted to point out that more and more conferences around the US are deciding to start a new conference and leaving some members behind. This new method of “cleaning house” should not sit well with anyone. So much for having conference by-laws that are in place when it deals with expansion, why even have them. What are schools teaching their students, don’t work out the problems, avoid them and not worry about the rules in place. Do what is best for you and not care about anyone else? I sure hope not, but it heads in that direction.

Most details of the changes taking place have come to us via folks who know school officials or might even have overheard conversations at a ballgame between school officials. Many issues appear on message boards from a poster who might hear something as well or a former coach who has no problem posting. The problem with this, most times it is just partial information. We strongly encourage schools and conferences to be in charge of the news that comes out, instead of letting it come out from another source. When Margaretta held their public forum, other MAL/SRL members had to be concerned about what would come out at the meeting. Be in charge, if your talks are “upfront” and you are not “hiding” anything the truth sure outweighs the “rumors”. All anyone wants is the truth. I’ve said it before and I will say it again, if school officials were changing the English curriculum I would get answers and information back in a heart beat, why not athletics.

Is your conference looking to make changes? Do you even know what other members in your conference are thinking? Have they met recently to talk about changes and left you out. Well, it could very well happen to any of you. I talk with many schools whom have been left out and didn’t even know something was taking place and now they face changes that will effect their programs for a very long time, including being an independent.

Did “sneaking” around help any of the SRL/MAL members, that answer we will see in the future. But I can assure you some bridges have been burnt.

We can assure you we have sent numerous emails to school officials of the MAL/SRL to get answers to our questions. But very few replies, so we encourage you not to let you conference MAL-function in the future.

** - story updated on 1-15-13 after we received an email froma MAL school official.

UPDATED on 3-14-13 – several members of the MAL are a part of the SRL

Is The TAAC and SRL Talking Merger

email reply to SR asking about a merger with the Sandusky River League

from TAAC Commissioner Rick Kaifas

The TAAC is looking into discussions with the SRL regarding a possible merger.

Reply from SRL

At this time there is no plan to merge the Sandusky River League and the Toledo Area Athletic Conference. This appears to be a story that came out that at this time was nothing more than a discussion and has no merit.

Mark King

Commissioner

Sandusky River League

updated 3-14-13

CLICK HERE - TAAC considers expansion with SRL Schools

CLICK HERE - SRL looking at options

CLICK HERE - Lakota School March 11, 2013 Board Highlights

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT – Mr. David M. Danhoff, Superintendent

The Sandusky River League is reviewing options to help enhance the opportunities for our athletes through creative scheduling with the TAAC. We may eventually merge with the TAAC and have two separate divisions but we are looking at what is best for all concerned. We had a major set-back when Margaretta announced its decision to remain in the Sandusky Bay Conference. This decision affected other schools who were contemplating making the move to our new league and that is why we must re-visit our talks with the TAAC (Toledo Area Athletic Conference). Overall, everything will turn out for the best and we will have a new home for our athletes.