Harding Raiders expected to join Lake Erie League

By Joe Scalzo

Pending Board of Education approval, Harding would begin play in 2010-11.

By JOE SCALZO

Vindicator sports staff

WARREN — Warren Harding may have found a league home.

The Raiders, who left the Steel Valley Conference following the 2008-09 school year, are expected to join the two-tiered Lake Erie League next fall.

Harding athletic director Paul Trina will make a presentation to the school’s board of education on Sept. 8 in hopes of getting the move approved.

“I’m optimistic,” said Trina. “I think it looks real good at this point, but I don’t want to get ahead of anything. Our goal has always been to find a public school conference with Division I and Division II schools.

“Other than a little bit of distance, it’s a great fit.”

If approved, Harding would compete in the Lake Division with Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Mentor and Shaker Heights in football and boys basketball. The Erie Division would have Maple Heights, Admiral King, Bedford, Southview, Warrensville Heights and Shaw.

On average, Harding High is 58 miles from the four schools in the Lake Division — significantly farther than when the Raiders were competing in the SVC with Boardman, Fitch, Mooney and Ursuline in recent years. But the increased distance must be measured against playing an independent schedule against teams in the Cleveland, Akron and Canton areas, Trina said.

“It’s not as extensive as it appears,” said Trina, who will continue to look for non-conference games in the Valley. “We can’t be out there independent. That’s the bottom line.”

Harding had been turned down by the LEL previously this year, but the league reconsidered in May and an agreement grew closer this summer.

In between, Harding was turned down by the Stark County-based Federal League.

“Our intention is to hopefully be a part of something,” said Trina. “Hopefully it gets approved.”

Harding would be the second Valley team to make a league move in recent months, with Brookfield announcing plans this summer to leave the All-American Conference after this school year.