Warren to join ECOL in 2020-21

[NYBuckeye96]

http://www.mariettatimes.com/sports/loc ... n-2020-21/

Warren to join ECOL in 2020-21

VINCENT — When Warren High plays Marietta High football in the fall of 2020, bragging rights won’t be the only thing on the line.

Then, it will also be a league game, just like in the old days of the Southeast Ohio Athletic Conference when both schools were members. Right now, when the Warriors and Tigers compete on the athletic fields, it’s a non-conference contest.

But that’s all going to change.

The Warriors have been invited to join the East Central Ohio League (ECOL) as a full participant in all sports in 2020-21, and the school board has unanimously accepted the invite.

“It’s always good to get an invitation instead of asking to join,” said WHS Athletic Director Steve Harold, laughing. “And the school board stepped up and did the right thing. It’s a real good move for us. There are so many positives.”

Added Warren principal/baseball coach Ryan Lemley, “We’re actually hoping that we will be competing in spring sports in the back half of 2020. But we’ll just have to wait and see on that one.

“By the way, Steve Harold deserves all the credit. He’s been working hard on this. And he did a great job of selling our programs. Also, it didn’t hurt that Rick Guimond (Marietta AD) put a good word in for us.”

When Warren begins competing in the ECOL, the other league members will be Marietta, New Philadelphia, Dover, Zanesville, and Cambridge.

“It’s my understanding, Coshocton, River View, and Meadowbrook will be transitioning out (of the ECOL) and joining the MVL (Muskingum Valley League),” Harold said. “So, sure, there will be some travel to New Philadelphia and Dover. But we’ve been assured that in football, we’ll never have to travel to both schools in the same season.”

Three years ago, traveling was the biggest reason why Warren turned down an invite to join the ECOL. At the time, the Warriors were one of four remaining members of the SEOAL and just beginning to compete in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference (OVAC).

“It’s a much different league now than it was in 2015,” Harold said. “Because there’s been some movement (Coshocton, River View, and Meadowbrook).”

Back in 2015, Warren also inquired about becoming members of the Tri-Valley Conference (TVC) and the MVL — and was turned down. Interestingly, the Warriors were part of the TVC several years ago before joining the SEOAL, then one of the state’s oldest and most prestigious athletic conferences.

In the spring of 2017, the SEOAL folded with just three remaining members — Warren, Logan, and Jackson. Marietta had left the league at the end of the 2010-11 school year to join the ECOL.

While still an OVAC member (The OVAC has no mandatory scheduling.), the Warriors essentially are an independent.

“I think it was frustrating not being in a league,” Lemley said. “And being an independent was not the way to go.”

Added Harold, “Joining the ECOL is really a win-win for everybody, especially the kids and coaches. They’ll get to play quality competition, and they’ll get the league athletic and academic honors.”

[NYBuckeye96]

Glad they found a league. Too bad the TVC turned them down numerous times.

Logan is the only homeless school left now.

[Raider6309]

God lord Warren will get killed 70-0 by Dover and New Philadelphia every year. Last years win against Zanesville was Marietta’s only win ever in that part of the ECOL

[Poo Bear]

Awesome for warren! Good solid league.

[mattash]

Glad for Warren, wished TVC made room for them and Logan.

[EasternDspy]

It will be good for other sports.

[FANOSPORTS]

Well, Logan might as well come up Rt. 33 and get in one of these central ohio leagues and separate themselves from SEO completely & permanently after 90 years since they are on an island by themselves now. TVC could have been 2 great divisional setups but will remain below average as a whole because of what's not happened in the last 10 years especially with various SEOAL schools going their separate ways because little brother didn't want big brother to play with his friends, except for certain one's. (Read between the lines)

[enigmaax]

Well, Logan might as well come up Rt. 33 and get in one of these central ohio leagues and separate themselves from SEO completely & permanently after 90 years since they are on an island by themselves now. TVC could have been 2 great divisional setups but will remain below average as a whole because of what's not happened in the last 10 years especially with various SEOAL schools going their separate ways because little brother didn't want big brother to play with his friends, except for certain one's. (Read between the lines)

It might be more like big brother was a bully and a snob to little brother his whole life and then when big brother’s life completely fell apart he doesn’t understand why little brother won’t let him move in and wreck the nice big house and successful life he has built for himself on his own?

[VetteMan]

I'm also really happy for Warren. Yes they are going to be behind in football, but how is that going to be any different than the past few years. They should be able to compete in most of the other sports. With the renewed interest and being in a new league, lets hope that the football program will also start getting better.

[mattash]

Wished Logan could get in the MVL.. Awesome though Warren

[bsee12345]

Glad that Warren has found a home. Yes, they probably will struggle with football but with playing in a league will hopefully allow the football program to get refocused and eventually become competitive. As far the travel to New Philly and Dover- said will not travel to both in same year for football but for other sports the schedules can be made to have those long travels on Saturday. I think its a win for Warren and win for ECOL because this league is a very competitive league.

[warrior90]

My question is will Warren stay in the Southeast district or move to east district.

[EasternDspy]

My question is will Warren stay in the Southeast district or move to east district.

Marietta stayed in Southeast

[BobcatQB]

ECOL isn't done yet. Look for more movement to make it an 8-10 team league again.

[mattash]

ECOL isn't done yet. Look for more movement to make it an 8-10 team league again.

Add Logan and make it two divisions

Logan, Marietta, Warren and not sure who else on one side

[BobcatQB]

ECOL isn't done yet. Look for more movement to make it an 8-10 team league again.

Add Logan and make it two divisions

Logan, Marietta, Warren and not sure who else on one side

Looking more from a North/South and including a few teams North to help travel for Dover & New Phila and make 8 total. Logan doesn't make sense for travel, even in a South Division. Other than the drive, would be a nice addition.

[enigmaax]

Going to divisions for less than 12 teams doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me (for any conference). The whole advantage to having a conference is scheduling and if you have two, 4 team divisions, the division title is barely worth it. Mandatory crossover games are fine for scheduling purposes, but you either count them and have unbalanced competition or don’t count them and still devalue the conference or division title. Having an 8-10 team round robin makes scheduling much easier and makes the conference title mean something.

My question regarding this conference getting to 8-10 teams is who else would they add? It looks like one of the things that works for all involved is that, despite the distances, at least all schools are within a relatively easy proximity to an Interstate. At quick glance, it looks like a lot of teams that fit the best in that model have already been in and decided to leave. Anyone know why the three are leaving for the MVL? Or what happened in the case of Claymont, Indian Valley, St. Clairsville (anyone else?) - when/why did they get out?

[Raider6309]

Going to divisions for less than 12 teams doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me (for any conference). The whole advantage to having a conference is scheduling and if you have two, 4 team divisions, the division title is barely worth it. Mandatory crossover games are fine for scheduling purposes, but you either count them and have unbalanced competition or don’t count them and still devalue the conference or division title. Having an 8-10 team round robin makes scheduling much easier and makes the conference title mean something.

My question regarding this conference getting to 8-10 teams is who else would they add? It looks like one of the things that works for all involved is that, despite the distances, at least all schools are within a relatively easy proximity to an Interstate. At quick glance, it looks like a lot of teams that fit the best in that model have already been in and decided to leave. Anyone know why the three are leaving for the MVL? Or what happened in the case of Claymont, Indian Valley, St. Clairsville (anyone else?) - when/why did they get out?

Because this league is dying. Everyone knows Dover and New Philadelphia have one foot out the door and heading to the the Ohio Cardinal Conference with Louisville. They want to make that league East/West

[Curious]

I believe this is a poor decision to join this league. Marietta has been wanting out(applied to the TVC). Marietta has how many ECOL league titles? Tennis, tied for girls soccer, what else since joining in 2011/12? Could someone please share the list of Marietta's ECOL titles with me. Warren does not have a tennis team, does it? Are the supporters of this move so arrogant as to believe Warren can compete where Marietta cannot?

[loganlocos]

I believe this is a poor decision to join this league. Marietta has been wanting out(applied to the TVC). Marietta has how many ECOL league titles? Tennis, tied for girls soccer, what else since joining in 2011/12? Could someone please share the list of Marietta's ECOL titles with me. Warren does not have a tennis team, does it? Are the supporters of this move so arrogant as to believe Warren can compete where Marietta cannot?

Warren needs to join a league. Sometimes beggars can't be choosers.