FEDERAL LEAGUE Making the move
Austintown Fitch and Boardman have discussed moving to the Federal League for at least five years. Here's a look at what has happened over the past year:
2001
May 10 -- Fitch and Boardman sent a letter to the Metro Athletic Conference and the Federal League expressing interest in exploring league options.
May 18 -- Boardman and Fitch receive call from Federal League officials confirming letter of interest. League officials said they would meet on May 31 to discuss the issue.
June 1 -- Boardman and Fitch are told that there were not enough affirmative votes at the Federal League meeting for approval of membership.
2002
Jan. 31 -- Austintown Fitch tells Federal League officials of intention to send letter of interest to the league.
Feb. 6 -- Boardman holds a meeting of high school coaches, administration, athletic officials, the superintendent and two board of education members, voting 21 to 11 to express interest in joining the Federal League. Among coaches, the vote is nearly three to one.
Feb. 7 -- Boardman sends a letter of interest to Federal.
March 6 -- Fitch and Boardman meet with Federal League officials. An offer is made to both schools to join the league.
March 8 -- Letter is sent from Federal League assuring the schools that "every attempt" will be made to minimize or eliminate loss of academic time for student-athletes due to increased travel time.
March 12 -- Austintown Board of Education votes 5-0 to leave the Steel Valley Conference and join the Federal League beginning with 2003-2004 school year.
March 13 -- Boardman Board of Education votes 5-0 to leave SVC to join the Federal League.
-- Joe Scalzo