Who was knocking on the MAC's door recently?

[greenshoes]

I think many folks will be surprised to hear that Celina was open to an opportunity in some way leave the WBL for a relationship with some MAC schools. It was mainly on the Celina side, concerned with travel costs to OG, Kentona and Defiance.

Besides the travel concerns, looking at possibly large gates would have worked in the economy issues. Gates would have improved in some sports, that some WBL members did not travel very well.

Wapak and St marys declined to be involved in any part of the issues on this matter. St Marys had just hired an interim Supt, so that made sense. With Celina now with an interim Supt, very uncertain that this would move forward until a new replacement is named. If that is the direction he or she wants to pursue.

[WapakMB08]

You're right, I'm fairly surprised that Celina might be open to an option to leave the WBL. I fully expected Lima Central Catholic to be the school mentioned when I opened this thread. (Side note: Any news on LCC? Will they be an independent permanently or is LCC looking to join a conference?

I always thought the WBL had so much stability, and really, I still think that it does. I understand the possible logic behind Celina looking at the MAC. 5 of the 11 MAC member schools are in Mercer County and the others are in nearby counties, so travel would be easier making it more accessible for fans to follow. However, Celina seems to be significantly larger than the MAC average. I believe Celina may be the largest school in the WBL (often flip-flops with Wapak on largest school in WBL). If I'm remembering correctly Celina is, in various sports, D-1, D-2, and D-3. They used to be D-2 for Football and in the same region as Wapak, but I think they may have bumped down to D-3? And then I'm not sure with the apparent new division being added and such. Celina as a D-2/D-3 school in Football is clearly bigger than the D-5/D-6 Football schools of the MAC. And then in all other sports Celina may very well be D-1/D-2 primarily? (Not sure)

It definitely doesn't seem like a smart move competitively for the MAC or Celina, especially considering the Bulldogs are nearly always a contender for the WBL All-Sports Trophy and have won it more than any other WBL school. Proves how well Celina does in the WBL. Being from Wapak, I totally understand the long travel to Defiance and O-G, but I still don't think that's a sufficient enough reason to leave a successful athletic league. I also didn't really understand what was meant by your last line, concerning Memorial and Wapak. Travel is about the same for these three schools who are the three southern-most members. I just didn't know if you meant Memorial and Wapak declined comment on the subject or declined to explore options with the MAC or elsewhere?

I think the most intriguing line is probably the first one, "open to an opportunity in some way leave the WBL for a relationship with some MAC schools", seems like a very odd phrase. Especially since the MAC-WBL already have a sort of B1G-PAC partnership as far as scheduling non-conference games in various sports. Definitely an interesting post, thanks!

[greenshoes]

Wapak ans SM declined to move in a direction to talk with some MAC members, MAC members were not open to talk at all...Celina administration was also open to divisions in the WBL to help with travel, no one else seems to think it would work so it never moved beyond that point and I don't see it happening as well.

LCC would jump at any opportunity to join a conference, they are getting the cold shoulder from everyone, that is no secret. Tiffin Calvert is in the same position as LCC with the MAL situation and were turned down for BVC membership.

Celina's enrollment continues to drop, including losing students to open enrollment. Celina would also have soccer and wrestling issues. The economy was the key in a lot of this ...

there is no partnership, AD's handle those games on individual basis, but you can see that they all do schedule each other...

[WapakMB08]

Wapak ans SM declined to move in a direction to talk with some MAC members, MAC members were not open to talk at all...Celina administration was also open to divisions in the WBL to help with travel, no one else seems to think it would work so it never moved beyond that point and I don't see it happening as well.
Interesting, thanks for clearing that up for me.

Celina's enrollment continues to drop, including losing students to open enrollment. Celina would also have soccer and wrestling issues. The economy was the key in a lot of this ...
Even if Celina's enrollment is dropping, it will take a while for Celina to drop to a similar size of MAC schools...probably won't ever happen. And if the economy is affecting residents of Celina, thus forcing them to move away to a different school district, then it is likely many families in this similar economic situation may have to leave Coldwater, M-L, and other Mercer schools. The economy isn't solely affecting Celina.

there is no partnership, AD's handle those games on individual basis, but you can see that they all do schedule each other...
I understand there isn't a formal MAC-WBL partnership. I just said it's "sort of like the B1G-PAC scheduling partnership". MAC-WBL schools compete in numerous sports during the non-conference season, because it just makes sense. Travel, money, rivalries, etc. There doesn't need to be a formal agreement among conferences, it's like an unwritten pledge in my opinion.

[thavoice]

First I had heard of this. LIve in CW, work in Celina and hadnt even heard an ounce of this rumor.

With that said...I always loved playing in Celina. I think Celina Stadium is one of the best to watch, and play. The fieldhouse is small, but a fun place to be a part of a game. Heck..I remember back when we moved games from The Pit TO celina becaus it was "so big"!

There had been talk over the years of LCC wanting to join the MAC, and it always would get shot done.

I dont think the MAC is really interested whatsoever in adding anyone. Football scheduling was one of the main reasons why it expanded and added a team like Anna. At first many balked at the rotating schedule based on the records in football, but it really has grown support I believe. The two NL games in the beginning of the season has trumped any possible rivalry games that werent played do to the new schedule.

I personally wish Celina and CW would play in football. Over the years it really didnt make sense. In the early 90s barely anyone made the playoffs and CW was bad, real bad and didnt make sense for Celina to play.

[greenshoes]

thavoice... not a rumor... inquiries came from Celina...

again based on economy, cost of travel to OG, Defiance and Kenton, gas prices were going up to $4 a gal., plus gate receipts would have benefited Celina

also, travel time during the week for some sports, was a consideration, declining enrollment (including loss due to open enrollment)

nothing formal but informal talks and discussions among both sides, basically the majority of MAC schools were not interested

the key was major administration changes taking place at Celina

[WestOhioFBFan]

At first many balked at the rotating schedule based on the records in football, but it really has grown support I believe. The two NL games in the beginning of the season has trumped any possible rivalry games that werent played do to the new schedule.

Marion Local is pretty much the only one who has been affected by this, missing Minster, Versailles, and for the next 2 years, Minster again.

[president]

If Celina did leave, this would also open the door to Sidney; they would be a great addition to the conference as LCC is a private school and not sure if that would matter to the WBL anyway.

Additionally, Sidney is very similar to demographics to the rest of the conference as well, and being right off 75 is an easy road game.

[o.a.b.]

The WBL could gain a lot going to a rotational scedule,like the MAC has.9 out of 10 games are league games,which means in a down year,the WBL loses a lot--in a good year,3 teams qualify.Gasoline costs will start to take a toll on all leagues eventually.I'm guessing this is also why WBL schools don't dress freshmen on Friday nights [ ? ].

[WapakMB08]

If Celina did leave, this would also open the door to Sidney; they would be a great addition to the conference as LCC is a private school and not sure if that would matter to the WBL anyway.

Additionally, Sidney is very similar to demographics to the rest of the conference as well, and being right off 75 is an easy road game.

Even in this hypothetical situation, I'm not sure the WBL would accept or want Sidney. According to the various reasons mentioned above, Celina may have explored other options due to the amount of travel and the costs associated with it. Sidney would be, significantly, the south boundary outlier for the conference. So travel for schools like Defiance would actually increase if you replaced Celina with Sidney. But I do agree that Sidney is very similar to some WBL schools. But I like the current WBL and don't foresee and changes anytime soon.