LEETONIA Rainy weather delays stadium construction; Bears head to the road

Campbell Memorial has been independent since the MVC disbanded in 1993.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CAMPBELL -- Campbell Memorial High has not won a league title in any sport since 1993. Then again, they haven't lost one, either.
The Red Devils belonged to the Mahoning Valley Conference until the league members disbanded in 1993 to form the Metro Athletic Conference. Warren JFK and Campbell -- both MVC members -- were not invited to join, and both teams have been independent ever since.
"We've literally applied to every league every year since 1993," said superintendent Jim Ciccolelli. "We just haven't had any luck."
Campbell recently completed a $32.2 million renovation of the high school, which included a thorough update of the field house. The gym has a new floor, new seats, new lights, and a new heating and cooling system. The school also added a new weight room.
"We're certainly hoping this will make us more enticing," Ciccolelli said. "We think we're a perfect fit for most leagues."
Upgrading athletics
Most of the costs for the new school were covered by the state. But Campbell is also taking out a 20-year, $2.5 million loan to upgrade the athletic facilities.
The first phase, which will be completed by the end of the summer, includes renovating the football locker rooms and re-paving the parking lot.
The second phase, which will begin after the last home football game on Oct. 3, includes renovating John Knapick Stadium. The stadium, which was built as a WPA project in 1936, was way overdue for improvements, Ciccolelli said.
"When we were discussing it, I told the board of education that if we don't do something now, I don't see us using this facility two years down the road," he said.
The school will upgrade the seats, sound system, scoreboard and the press box, while adding new fencing around the stadium, new lights and a six-lane all-weather track. It will also build an indoor baseball facility and improve the practice field behind the stadium.
"When we're done here, it's gonna be like a small college campus," Ciccolelli said.
And other schools have already started taking notice.
"We've gotten a lot of good feedback," said athletics director Ed Rozum. "We open the [football] season with Springfield, and we've scheduled more teams in the Inter-County League and the Tri-County League.
"We're hoping teams will see that we have a good athletic program and take interest in us."
Looking for answers
Which begs the question: Why hasn't Campbell been invited to join a league?
"You hear rumors, but you hate to repeat them," Rozum said. "I think it probably has to do with enrollment figures."
That's part of it. And some schools -- especially those in the MAC -- don't think the Red Devils have enough varsity sports.
"When we were looking to expand a few years ago, we just didn't think Campbell complemented us schedule-wise," said MAC commissioner Clem Zumpella. "Leagues are all about scheduling. They just didn't have enough sports."
But there are other issues.
Campbell has also been dogged by a bad reputation, which included the alleged recruiting of a basketball player from the Bahamas who helped lead them to the state title in 1993.
Campbell also has a strong football tradition, but is only a Division V school. That translates into fewer playoff computer points for opposing teams -- and that's only if they win.
"Football is the engine here and I think some schools are afraid to play certain schools," said one area league official.
Making changes
But the new facilities should make Campbell more attractive to leagues looking to expand.
"Absolutely, that would definitely be in their favor," said another league official. "They've made some progress."
For Ciccolelli, the change can't happen soon enough.
"We're really, desperately looking to be involved in a league," he said. "Not just for scheduling, but most importantly for the student-athletes. We want them to get recognition and coverage.
"It's bad for the kids and it's bad for morale, not to mention financially. Ten years out a league is long enough. We willing to speak with anybody."
scalzo@vindy.com