Ironton Out Of SEOAL?

[Army]

THIS IS NOT ABOUT FOOTBALL!!! The reasons for wanting to withdrawl from the SEOAL have absolutely nothing to do with football. Football happens to be the ONLY benefit with regards to scheduling and that is not worth it in all the other sports.

Do you want to travel from Ironton to Zanesville to watch a girls softball game as a Ironton fan? NO WAY!!! What if you are a parent and you are obligated to make that trip? What about when your daughter and son play high school basketball and she is in Marietta one night and your son plays in Logan the next night? Who wants to make these trips? I wouldn't want to as a parent, but I would. As a casual fan, I guarantee you I will not go. That is the problem. The travel and money is a big factor, but couple that with the decline in pride and support for all the other sports and the solution is an easy one: GET OUT!!!

What do you mean a decline in pride and support?

Chillicothe, Gallipolis, Jackson, and Portsmouth will still be close enough to schedule in most sports. Instead of going to Warren, Logan, Zanesville, and Marietta now we can think about scheduling teams in other sports within 10-15 minutes of Ironton like Coal Grove, Rock Hill, Chesapeake, Fariland, Wheelersburg, Minford, Symmes Valley, South Point, Green, Ashland, Boyd Co., Greenup Co., Raceland, Fairview, Russell, Rose Hill.

GOOD MOVE IRONTON BOE!!!

GO TIGERS!!!

My question is, why did you all re-join the SEOAL a third time knowing what the travel would be in the first place? In ALL SPORTS not just Football!

I think you all lost the confidence by many on here. You don't see Portsmouth or Gallipolis whining about the travel do you? You all should of stayed as an Independent if your tact was to leave again after being in the SEOAL only 2 years. Why? Because you all thought you might dominate the league as you did in the 70's and 80's but it has not turned out that way?

[Old Tom Morris]

Army

When Ironton rejoined the SEOAL this time there were many people in opposition to the idea due to travel and other concerns. The main motivation for joining the league was to make sure that the football schedule would be a 10 game schedule and that they would not have to hunt and hunt to fill the schedule.

If this "news" is true I know that there are Ironton people who are dissappointed about leaving just as there were Ironton people who were dissappointed about joining a year or so ago.

I beleive that the committment to join the SEOAL this time around was a 2 year committment that was to be reviewed and either renewed or terminated. I guess the Board decided to review the situation last night and seems like maybe they made a decision. Popular with some and not with some others.

[fe2000lbsII]

I don't know all of the reasons why Ironton has decided to leave the SEOAL but I do think that everyone should remember that a different AD was running things when they decided to join the league and needless to say he made a boatload of very interesting decisions.

[Tigercannon71]

Heres a question the rumor was if Ironton left Portsmouth was going to follow suit. So if this is true is Portsmouth gone also?

[Paladin]

The poor sports are at it again ??

Everyone in the league knew that travel would be part of the league, for all sports. The funny part is, Ironton doesn't even field all the teams that the other schools do, meaning the other schools have more sports expenses than the tiggers. Yet, they took the river rats in and gave them an opportunity to show their true stripes.

Reasons -- the poor sports found out they couldn't and will never own the league again in FB.............being embarassed with poor showings in FB and not even competitive in anything or fielding teams in some other sports.

Go play your Canadian, WV, & Ky teams and don't let the door hit you on the way out. You are even worst than the Athens Bulldogs. They at least took their beatings like a man.

[Army]

Army wrote: Right? They don't leave office until Jan 2008, right? So what is the change. Or, is it Lutz? Who I might add, enjoys playing KENTUCKY Teams like, Russell, Boyd and Greenup, KY county H.S.'s, plus Ashland Paul Blazer, KY and Belfry, KY? What, so the Tigers can rack up 5 wins? Then

Russell and Belfry would defeat most southern Ohio teams year in, year out.

When Ironton won it's first state championship in 79 they beat Ashland (ky) the first game, 6 to 0. The state game score was Ironton 7 - Akron St. Vincent St. Mary 6

In 1989 there were no less than 4 Kentucky schools on Ironton's schedule. Two games were close, Ironton over Russell 21 to 13 and Ironton over Ashland 20 to 15. Ironton defeated Campbell Memorial that year for the state trophy 12 to 7.

That doesn't take in Ironton's 6 runner up years where each year featured Kentucky schools. It's a myth that Kentucky schools can't or don't provide as much competition as many schools south of Columbus.

That doesn't mean nothing. Look at last years season 2006 in the SEOAL.

Wins
Chillicothe 31 Logan 21
Chillicothe 38 Gallipolis 33
Chillicothe 47 Ironton 14

Losses
Chillicothe 15 Jackson 42
Chillicothe 24 Marietta 31

Wins
Ironton 48 Jackson 20
Ironton 28 Marietta 20 in OT

Losses
Ironton 0 Logan 7
Ironton 14 Chillicothe 47
Ironton 7 Gallipolis 14

So what's your point? Any good night someone can win? I just think you all should of stayed Independent if you are planning to leave now. If I was a league I would think twice before contemplating on letting you all in. I know that.

[Charles Farquar]

What I find interesting is that Jackson when this expansion of the league started was the one dissenting vote against the expansion. All that Athens would have had to do was vote no, they didnt and now they are not part of the league. I would venture to say that at some point the people in Warren have thought about other places they could go. It will be interesting to see in the next few years what happens with Zanesville not having much history in the league if they decide to go to another league.Several things led to Jacksons decision to vote no and some of them did involve discussions about travel for some of the minor sports and the junior high teams and yes gasoline costs were also discussed even for the football team at the time. Other discussions were whether some of the old members would bolt eventually and if the new additions without a history in the league would stay after a time. Some of the new schools of course would be happy with it. It was to Portsmouths advantage to not be an independent and be part of a league because of scheduling, and it probably looked good to Ironton for the same reasons. It was to Chillicothes advantage because they didnt have to take a mauling in the OCC. To a lot of the ADs it probably looked good because it made scheduling easier.I would say if you would have polled several of the head football coaches in the league off the record at the time they would not have been in favor of the expansion either. Jackson never minded ever playing Logan, there has been a lot of history and good competition there same with Ironton, Gallipolis and Athens.

[BigMcCauley55]

i dont like this but i do respect it

So when is the withdrawl? b4 next Fb season?


good luck to ironton where ever they end up

[kantuckyII]

Whether Ironton will or will not leave the SEOAL, I cannot say but..to get away from and not have to listen to 2old and Paladin should two of the best reasons to go!

[BlindWhiteHat]

Go play your Canadian, WV, & Ky teams and don't let the door hit you on the way out. You are even worst than the Athens Bulldogs. They at least took their beatings like a man.

I didn't think it would take this long for the 2nd biggest Ironton fan on SEOP to chime in. What a tool.

[BlindWhiteHat]

I also wonder if this vote will be carried out. With one member's term expiring in a couple weeks, will there be another vote taken when the newly elected member starts his term? If so, will that vote override the vote that was taken last night?

[farmer]

Whether Ironton will or will not leave the SEOAL, I cannot say but..to get away from and not have to listen to 2old and Paladin should two of the best reasons to go!

Didn't 2OLD and Paladin both say Ironton would do that soon even before football season started?
If the Ironton School Board did vote to leave they should also give public reasons why.

[Army]

If nothing else, and not to say lets bust up the SEOAL, but have the SEOAL South Teams ever really looked at leaving and bonding together with Waverly, Portsmouth West, Wheelersburg, Rock Hill or South Point. Every Team listed could compete. Plus the travel concerns would be far less and worries eliminated. The two longest travels south would be Gallipolis and Portsmouth West and to the north would be Chillicothe. A complete Rt. 35-23-52 and if Rock Hill was one Rt 93. The League would be easy to access concerning the travel and roads. All except Rt. 93 that is a two lane. I am not joking, I am serious.

We all have wish leagues we would love to see or be in, but this would actually be a true SE-Ohio League with power-houses in several sports. Look at the MVL if someone is concerned about D5 teams. They have Tri-Valley who is D2 and Crooksville who is D5 in the same league. I know the Burg and West could compete as well as Rock Hill and the Point. You actually could take everyone of these teams and make a split division too like the inital concept of the SEOAL North and South Divisions. It would take the AD's and Staff to convince there schools it could work. I know Chilicothe would be for a league that had less travel but plenty of competition in it.

What say you Ironton, would a league like that be to far for you all to travel in?

So is Tigercannon71 right, the rumor, that the Portsmouth Trojans will leave to, now that the Ironton Fighting Tigers most likely is leaving the SEOAL

1. Chillicothe Cavaliers D3
2. Waverly Tigers D4
3. Jackson Ironmen D2
4. Gallipolis Blue Devils D4
5. Ironton Fighting Tigers D4
6. Wheelersburg Pirates D5 or Rock Hill Redmen D4
7. Portsmouth Trojans D4
8. Portsmouth West Senators D5 or South Point D4

But you know something. The Chillicothe CAVS has always honored it's commitments. There word is faithful and can be taken for a yes to mean yes and no to mean no. No exceptions! When they joined the other schools to be part of the SEOAL, they were so happy.

Why you ask? Because they were finally part of SE-Ohio Sports. Where they should of been years ago.

So, I don't ever see them leaving the SEOAL unless the league totally bust up. Do you breeze? Chillicothe's word is good as gold when they came on board. I just wonder if Ironton would stay committed to a dream league as mentioned above. I really doubt it.

Especially when they started losing in sports to those teams too

I just hope Portsmouth hangs in there and doesn't leave the SEOAL. They are Chillicothes only REAL rival in the SEOAL. The Trojans and CAVS have played each other since 1898. Over a 100 plus years of competing. Two, I don't know if I would follow Ironton anywhere, anytime soon. Especially with there tract record of committing to a league.

ARMY

[kantuckyII]

Why? why did the powers that be in the SEOAL decide for Ironton to have to travel TO LOGAN two years in a row? what's up with that?

[beezee420]

wow army, you need to become an AD somewhere. i love the knowledge that you bring to these forums on all of these schools.

[sports junkie]

I guess Paladumb as they come, forgot the Mighty Logan Chiftains are looking to schedule an 0-10 W.V. team

[MTSWNGRVSG]

Could this just be the tip of the iceberge? More schools to follow? There has been alot of talk for awhile among schools that the SEOAL would have a hard time keeping all the schools that were in it since the expansion. You might be surprised at who all is questioning it. At least Jackson was up front about it from the begining.

[hilltopkid]

I fully understand the reasons for doing this, but I'm not sure why they even joined in the first place. It's not like the economy and all of the traveling issues were not forseen. I would bet that those aren't the only reasons. Do you suppose there are few that don't like the possibilty of not being able to schedule games they would like to?I'm sure I don't know the whole story.
I see the SEOAL slowly crumbling. Portsmouth will be next, and I would bet very soon. If some worthy teams aren't found to replace them, the SEOAL will be done within 3-4 years.At least the current format w/ a North and a South. I personally wouldn't mind seeing it. I would love to see Chilli join the MSL with Canal Winchester, Hamilton Township, Circleville, Teays Valley, Logan Elm, Fairfield Union and Amanda CC etc...With the exception of Amanda, those schools are the same size, if not bigger.I know Paladin will call me a cupcake and a wuss for not testing our athletes, but the fact is, our school is shrinking and the SEOAl is dissentegrating before our eyes. Something will need to be done.

[MTSWNGRVSG]

Good post hilltopkid. Giving up old rivals can be hard and can also pull people back. What happened to attendance at games? I know that played into Athens leaving more than what most think. As one coach at Athens told me, "We have to be able to pay the bills!"

[Army]

I fully understand the reasons for doing this, but I'm not sure why they even joined in the first place. It's not like the economy and all of the traveling issues were not forseen. I would bet that those aren't the only reasons. Do you suppose there are few that don't like the possibilty of not being able to schedule games they would like to?I'm sure I don't know the whole story.
I see the SEOAL slowly crumbling. Portsmouth will be next, and I would bet very soon. If some worthy teams aren't found to replace them, the SEOAL will be done within 3-4 years.At least the current format w/ a North and a South. I personally wouldn't mind seeing it. I would love to see Chilli join the MSL with Canal Winchester, Hamilton Township, Circleville, Teays Valley, Logan Elm, Fairfield Union and Amanda CC etc...With the exception of Amanda, those schools are the same size, if not bigger.I know Paladin will call me a cupcake and a wuss for not testing our athletes, but the fact is, our school is shrinking and the SEOAl is dissentegrating before our eyes. Something will need to be done.

Hilltop,
I like that idea, but the MSL your old stomping grounds from H.S. days if you remember declined our request when we started to search for a league after the OCC. And remember not only is Amanda small in that division so is Bloom Carroll. Both D4 Schools.

I think it would be a great fit to be in the MSL (Buckeye Division)

Chillicothe D3
Circleville D3
Circleville Logan Elm D3
Ashville Teays Valley D2
Canal Winchester D3
Columbus Hamilton TWP D2
Lancaster Fairfield Union D3
Keep either (Bloom Carroll D4) or keep (Amanda Clearcreek D4) and send one to the MSL (Cardinal Division).

A complete Rt 23 league except Canal Winchester and Fairfield Union and Bloom Carroll or Amanda.

They declined our request before the SEOAL deal came around. The SCOL did offer prior to the SEOAL Deal. So there you go.

ARMY