Fed approves withdrawal of Fitch

By TODD PORTER

The Canton Repository

After the next school year, the Federal League will be a seven-school league. Sort of.

League superintendents unanimously voted Wednesday to accept Austintown Fitch High School’s request to withdraw after the 2010-11 school year.

Fitch will join the All-American Conference in all sports except football in 2011-12.

Fitch will continue to play all Federal League schools in the 2011 football season. However, Fitch will not be eligible for a league championship or league honors after this fall.

“We are going to propose a schedule for them for 2011,” Federal League commissioner Joe Eaton said. “They’re going to honor their league commitment to us through the 2011 football season.

Eaton said superintendents agreed to reconvene the league’s strategic planning committee, which includes a representative from each school.

“We don’t know what we’re going to do after [2011],” Eaton said. “We don’t know at this point if in 2012 we’ll be an eight-team league or a 10-team league. Those are things for the strategic planning committee to sort through.’

Earlier this year, the Federal League considered letters of interest sent by Massillon and Warren Harding. No action was taken to expand. Eaton said no discussion on expansion or potential schools was discussed at Wednesday’s meeting.

“That was not the purpose of the meeting,” Eaton said.

Eaton said Boardman has expressed strong interest in remaining in the Federal League.

“We want to move on this because 2012 will be here before you know it,” Eaton said “We have to make some decisions. Are we going to stay at seven teams?”