Boardman board OKs move to Federal League

The Spartans will leave the SVC after the 2002-03 school year.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Boardman High athletic director Jim Fox has wanted to see the Spartans join the Federal League for at least five years.
Wednesday night, he got his wish.
The board of education voted 5-0 to leave the Steel Valley Conference and join the Stark County-based Federal League beginning in the fall of 2003.
"I'm very pleased," Fox said. "The public needs to be aware that every aspect of this decision was looked at in-depth.
"I felt it was the right decision that was in the best interest of the Boardman schools."
Much discussion: The vote came after an hour of comments both for and against the move and after months of deliberation by school officials and board members. At least one coach from every sport at Boardman attended Wednesday's meeting.
"I can't tell you how many side discussions we've had about this issue," board president Mark Huberman said. "We didn't want to take this step without looking at all the issues surrounding it."
The Austintown board of education voted 5-0 Tuesday to join the Federal League. Although Fitch's decision was considered, it was not a deciding factor in Wednesday's vote, Huberman said.
The schools will continue competition in the SVC through the spring of 2003. Fitch and Boardman have been in the SVC for more than 50 years. Warren Harding, Ursuline and Mooney will become independents in 2003 unless the schools seek league affiliation elsewhere.
"The Steel Valley Conference has been very good to us," Fox said. "We've had a long tradition with them but we're looking forward to joining the Federal. We feel it's a great situation."
Had reservations: Boardman High principal Louis Rucci, who has worked closely with Fox on the move, had reservations about the change, but said he would support the board's decision.
"When I went to the meeting with the Federal League [on March 8], there wasn't anything to change my mind," Rucci said. "I believe the cost will escalate with the travel without a correspondence in revenue."
Boardman will travel an average of 65.4 miles per trip to Federal League schools, compared to 15.3 miles in the SVC. Travel for non-league games will be reduced.
New opponents: Massillon Jackson, Massillon Perry, Canton GlenOak, North Canton Hoover and Uniontown Lake are in the Federal and Canton McKinley has been invited to join. Alliance and Wooster will leave in the next year.
Boardman will try to schedule area schools for non-league games.
"It will be their decision," Fox said. "We would like to continue our rivalries with schools like Poland, Canfield, Ursuline and Mooney."
Some have argued that the move over-emphasizes athletics, but Dr. Robert DeMarco, a member of the board, disagreed.
"Part of what makes Boardman great is that we have a phenomenal arts program, a great academic program and a great athletic program," DeMarco said. "We want to excel in all three.
"At Boardman, we don't take a backseat to anyone."
scalzo@vindy.com