CVL appears ready to fold
Officials at Marion Middle School and High School have started seeking membership in another activities league following the 2003-04 school year, Marion-Florence board of education members learned Monday at their regular monthly meeting.
At least three members of the Cottonwood Valley League — Sacred Heart, Council Grove, and Chase County — have expressed strong interest in other leagues, officials said.
Marion, Herington, Wichita Trinity, and Wichita Independent are the other members.
Because football assignments are on two-year contracts, the CVL probably would remain intact through next year, said Gerry Henderson, superintendent. But a new league has to be found soon because football assignments for 2004 and 2005 will be announced next fall.
The state activities association assigns schools to leagues only after they spend a year applying for membership to existing leagues. Since league teams and traditional rivals fill school calendars first, a temporarily "independent" Marion may find itself scheduling games all across the state, depending on which schools have open dates.
"We would have the leftovers," said Tod Gordon, Marion Middle School principal and activities director.
League role
Leagues don't play a role in determining playoff contenders but they make scheduling activities easier. And league success means more plaques and recognition for participating students.
Marion High School and Middle School are attractive draws for most leagues because they offer many athletic and academic activities, particularly at the high school level.
Also, Marion has great participation and is able to field varsity, junior varsity, and C-team competitors in most events. This is important because students are more likely to stay active if they have a chance to compete.
Finally, Marion tends to field competitive athletic and academic teams, which pushes other schools to improve, making a league championship a trophy of which students are truly proud.
The biggest negative: location.
"We're on the periphery of every league we're interested in," Henderson said. "We'll be the longest drive."
MCAA preferred
The league which has Marion coaches most interested is the Mid-Central Activities Association, which includes Hillsboro, Hesston, Halstead, Lyons, and Collegiate. Coaches want this league because it has schools like Marion, with most students involved in a wide range of activities.
Henderson said he contacted superintendents of MCAA league schools to tell them Marion was interested.
"But we have no indication at all that they are interested in accepting anyone," he said. Since the league has 10 members, they would be less likely to add an 11th unless they also added a 12th. Another option would be for an MCAA school to drop out for another league which would open a space for Marion. At this point, it doesn't appear likely, Henderson said.
Other leagues are out there but officials don't want to join one that has few activities or challenging opponents. One coach told school officials that one league under consideration would be "a step back."
"We'll keep writing to leagues and hope we get a few invitations," Henderson said.
