MOAC evaluating options for future

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There are now seven remaining schools in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.

The conference’s Blue Division seceded to form its own conference near the end of last year. Joining the new conference will include Northmor, Mount Gilead, Cardington, Highland, Fredericktown, Centerburg and East Knox.

But Elgin will be replaced by Danville, now a Mid-Buckeye Conference member.

Prior to the MOAC Blue’s break off, the MOAC Red Division had invited Clear Fork to replace Fairbanks.

Due to the MOAC Blue’s decision to become it’s own conference, Clear Fork put a hold on its decision to join based on concerns with travel time for its middle school athletics.

Galion and the six other remaining MOAC schools (Jonathan Alder, Buckeye Valley, North Union, Marion Harding, Marion Pleasant and River Valley) plan to meet on Tuesday, Galion Athletic Director Kyle Baughn said.

Other schools, including Shelby and Ontario, have been invited, he said.

“We definitely love to play those schools,” he said. “The minimum we like to have are eight schools.”

With the MOAC Blue gone, Baughn also cited concerns with the travel time for its Galion Middle School students

“We don’t like the kids on the road that late at night,” he said. “It’s definitely a big consideration.”

He said possible solutions could include adjusting MOAC policies to not require every conference team to play with each other at the middle school level such as Galion and Jonathan Alder, which are more than an hour apart.

Shelby Athletic Director Pat Lewis confirmed the invite to the MOAC meeting on Tuesday but added that the school is committed to the Northern Ohio League.

“We certainly entertain the thoughts of joining another league,” he said.

Galion plays against Fairbanks in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Action in October. Galion won 70-7. Fairbanks will be leaving the MOAC Red Division, while the Blue Division has broken off to form its own conference. The MOAC Red is evaluating its options for the future next week.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/01/web1_DSC_0051-2-1-1.jpgGalion plays against Fairbanks in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Action in October. Galion won 70-7. Fairbanks will be leaving the MOAC Red Division, while the Blue Division has broken off to form its own conference. The MOAC Red is evaluating its options for the future next week.

By Brandon Klein

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Reach Klein at 419-468-1117, ext. 2048 or on Twitter at @brandoneklein.

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