YOUNGSTOWN City Series schools approved to join Steel Valley Conference

SVC competition will begin in the spring of 2005.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Steel Valley Conference may be getting bigger. Again.
Citing reduced travel time, better competition and an increased attendance base, the Youngstown Board of Education approved a resolution Tuesday authorizing the City Series schools to join the SVC in all sports except football for grades 7-12.
The schools will begin SVC competition in the spring of 2005 and will consider joining in football when Wilson and Rayen consolidate into Youngstown East.
The decision will also affect Chaney High School, East Middle School, Hayes Middle School, Hillman Middle School and Volney Rogers Junior High School.
The move comes two weeks after Beaver Local voted to join the SVC in all sports except football. Warren JFK, which joined last fall, already competes in everything except football.
Warren Harding, Ursuline and Cardinal Mooney compete in all sports.
Looking to expand
The SVC has been looking to expand since Boardman and Austintown Fitch left the league in 2002 to join the Stark County-based Federal League.
Initially, the SVC wanted schools to join in all sports, but now allow interested schools to join in as many sports as desired.
The City Series -- the area's oldest athletic conference -- began competition in 1912 when Rayen won the boys track title.
Football and basketball competition began in the 1927-28 school year, with South winning the football title and Rayen winning the basketball title.
The SVC was formed in March of 1949 as an alternative to the powerful City Series, although none of the original schools remain. The league will continue to seek expansion, with Campbell and East Liverpool mentioned as two possible candidates.