Triway Declines OCC invitation.

• OneBuckeye

  

  http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4729287
  

  WOOSTER -- When the Ohio Cardinal Conference inquired to Triway about possibly joining, school policy is that the Titans listen.
  
  However, Triway assistant principal Steve Kauffman said after careful consideration, the school has decided to stay in the Principals Athletic Conference. In fact, other than a few long road trips, the Titans couldn't be much more comfortable in the league they've called home since 2005.
  
  "We feel we're where we belong," Kauffman said. "It's not a benefit for us to leave for the OCC.
  
  "Really, we're having a lot of fun in the PAC."
  
  The OCC gave a presentation to Triway this fall and asked the school to report back on its decision in the spring.
  
  Kauffman said talks among administrators and a poll of the school's coaches led to an overwhelming majority that wanted to stay where they're at.
  
  "We think the OCC is a great league and wanted to let them know our decision as soon as possible," Kauffman said.
  
  However, Kauffman said the Titans "fit in just right" in the PAC, where they've won some titles and been in the middle of the pack in other sports.
  
  "The competition is real good for us and there are a lot of extras we like in the league, like the sportsmanship day and end-of-the-year banquets for the different sports seasons," he said. "For the nature of our athletic pool, it's a real good fit."
  
  Triway's enrollment numbers have dropped off in recent years, with the Titans dropping from Div. II to III in both basketball and wrestling.
  
  While travel to OCC schools would be closer, Kauffman said that the distance for non-league games would increase.
  
  "If we were playing schools like Orrville, West Holmes and Wooster in league games, then we'd have to go farther for non-conference games," he said.
  
  Kauffman admitted the Wayne County Athletic League would probably be the "perfect" league for Triway as far as size of schools and competition, but "that would never happen."
  
  The WCAL has had the same eight schools since 1970.
  
  Triway turned down an early invitation to join the OCC prior to its inception in 2003. However, Triway then asked to be included only to have Clear Fork selected instead to join Ashland, Lexington, Madison, Mansfield Senior, Orrville, West Holmes and Wooster.
  
  Shelby was also offered to join the OCC at the same time as Triway this fall, but no word has come from the Whippets as to what their decision is.
  

  Thoughts?
• RedRider1

  

  Good choice for them. Tough for a D4 team to compete in this league. Orrville has yet to win an outright title in football and boys basketball, and we're known for having success in both.
  
  It's a tough league for a small school.
• thePITman

  

  It was the right decision. As RR1 said, we would not be very competitive in football. Some other sports we could on some years, but not consistently, IMO. The PAC is made up of similarly sized schools, and we fit in competitively, as well. Plus playing Wooster and Orrville and West Holmes only once a year in basketball and baseball adds to the rivalries.
• THE4RINGZ

  

  I too agree with the decision to stay put. Some of the longer drives (IV, CVCA) can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but I think the overall level of competition is good for Triway. The key is playing some quality non-conference games in every sport. The AD seems to get that.
• CCRolly

  

  I wonder if Shelby will stay put as well. If so, and the OCC is looking to expand with 2 more teams, who could possibly be offered next? Cloverleaf? Possibly a Mt. Vernon?
• Knite Flyer

  Shelby is going nowhere. They are a charter member of the NOL, and even with the "problems" that the NOL has faced in the past year, it still has a VERY solid base, including 3 other charter members. The 5th school has been a league member for nearly 60 years, and Sandusky is joining next year, after looking for a stable home for nearly 30 years.
  
  Mt. Vernon has declined the OHC (the forerunner of the new OCC), and will continue to pooh-poo the new OCC. As much as the new OCC wants Mt. Vernon, their interest remains 180 degrees away. It is the exact case, in reverse, between Marion Harding (wanting in) and the new OCC (ignoring Harding).
• Fidmeister

  Mount Vernon is a founding member of the original OCC. Also, you have to remember that membership in this OCC would mean no members of the Central District on Mount Vernon's conference schedule.
  
  Mount Vernon will never be a member of the Cardinal Conference.
• Keith

  Marion Harding should be seriously considered for this conference.
• me_myself_i

  

  Love the comments on the daily record story. Talking about who beat who. too funny
• Knite Flyer

  Fidmeister wrote: Mount Vernon is a founding member of the original OCC. Also, you have to remember that membership in this OCC would mean no members of the Central District on Mount Vernon's conference schedule.
  
  Mount Vernon will never be a member of the Cardinal Conference.

  
  Fid: As I'm sure you know, Mt. Vernon could petition the OHSAA to leave the Central District and join the NW District. Marion Harding did this during their days in the Ohio Heartland Conference (which was the forerunner of the "new" Ohio Cardinal Conference). I agree, it'll be a cold day that Mt. Vernon ever "comes North".
  
  Keith: The "new" OCC doesn't need Marion Harding, and they (and to a smaller extent, Vermilion) were the reason that the OHC disbanded and was reformed as the new OCC. By doing this, the OHC was able to move to the East and pick up members for the new OCC. This is what the 3 Richland County schools (Mansfield Sr./Mansfield Madison, and Lexington) and Ashland wanted.