pioneer19 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 9:46 am
BobcatQB wrote: ↑Wed Nov 08, 2023 8:02 am
pioneer19 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 07, 2023 4:04 pm
I wouldn’t. The TSL will be nothing more than a placeholder for Cambridge until they finally get into the MVL or are a part of some type of IVC expansion.
Makes sense. If it were me, I'd tell the MVL to pound salt. They had their chance to add Cambridge twice and decided on Coshocton, Meadowbrook and River View instead...yes, River View. The team that left the MVL years earlier to join the ECOL. Meadowbrook, which doesn't have soccer or swimming. I would never schedule MVL schools and I would never accept an invite..but again, that's just me. I thought everything would be fine by joining the Buckeye Eight..and for the most part, it has. Solidifies guaranteed OVAC qualifications in all sports and strengthens long time rivalries with some schools. Now that the Ferries from Martins and Edison left, only 8 teams left..fine, but now it's mandatory scheduling with regular trips to East Liverpool..too darn far. That was bad enough but screwing us out of a league championship in baseball made the decision of looking elsewhere easier.
IVC conversation is interesting. They were considering adding Cambridge and Harrison Central a few years ago but ultimately decided not to expand. They already have enough teams anyway.
I understand where you're coming from. If I were from Cambridge, I would probably feel the same way about the MVL. With that said, I think there is a good chance that there is some movement in the MVL and/or IVC within the next 5-10 years. If/when that happens, Cambridge will be a top target. In that case, are you staying with 3-4 schools down south or joining one of the most stable leagues in the state with much better travel? That's a no brainer, even with what happened a couple of years ago.
I don't understand the Buckeye 8. It seems like an afterthought up in OVAC country. It's all OVAC schools of similar size with good travel and rivalry history, yet schools are leaving left and right. Marietta, Warren, and Fort Frye are all OVAC members, so joining the TSL wouldn't have to end Cambridge's OVAC tenure. I am not against Cambridge joining the TSL. I just do not want to see Point Pleasant leave.
I would think that continuing to build around Marietta/Warren/FF would be best. I really don't know schools in WV around there except for Parkersburg and Williamstown but I would guess there are a few. Maybe Morgan but Cambridge is just too far if you're going to continue to expand south and southwest.
Geographically, Cambridge really doesn't need to be in another league besides the OVAC. So many schools within 45 min for which you could complete a schedule. LCL, MVL, IVC, B8, TSL, MOVL...tons of schools between 30 min and an hour.
Buckeye Local, Martins Ferry and Edison are only schools to leave Buckeye Eight. Buckeye Local is a train wreck, Ferry is full of ferries who don't think they can compete anymore and Edison, well, don't know what they are doing. Again, these schools can be just fine with an OVAC schedule. Buckeye Local leaving was filled by Cambridge a few years ago. However, East Liverpool and Union Local have entertained leaving but have stayed.