By Tom Williams

By TOM WILLIAMS

williams@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A committee of educators studying competitive balance in athletics is getting ready to report its findings to the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Monday, OHSAA Commissioner Dr. Dan Ross said a 25-person committee that’s been studying whether changes are needed to ensure a level playing field in Ohio sports will make its recommendations next Monday.

OHSAA directors will study the report which could lead to changes in how Ohio assigns schools to divisions.

Ross spent Monday evening at the Byzantine Center at the Grove speaking to the Youngstown District Football Officials Association. He thanked the members for serving as role models to high school athletes as well as helping identify injured athletes.

“No game is worth winning for a youngster to get hurt,” Ross said about concussions. “I appreciate your efforts with that.”

The seven-year commissioner said the competitive balance issue has been brewing for years, especially when non-public schools dominate state tournaments in football and basketball.

Last December, a survey of Ohio superintendents indicated that a majority had concerns with competitive balance because of the superb performance of non-public teams.

“There are issues in all [sports] but the two that probably bear the most interest as far as the public is concerned as basketball and football,” Ross said.

Mahoning Valley football in the past 10 years showcases the concern. Cardinal Mooney has won three state titles and competed in five state finals since 2004. Ursuline has won three titles since 2000 and has competed in the past three Division V championship games. As for public schools, Canfield played in the Div. II title game in 2005.

Separation of public and non-public schools for tournaments is being considered but Ross said he believes revamping divisions using a multiplier that would benefit closed enrollment schools is more likely to be recommended.

“I think it’s a great thing that the committee is working on it,” Ross said. “And I think that the non-public and the public people feel that it’s a good thing that it’s being tweaked or reviewed. Because everybody hears about it.”

Ross spends a lot of time traveling throughout Ohio which he called an “extremely diverse state.” Last week, the Columbus resident visited Lima on Thursday, Sandusky on Friday and Wheeling, W. Va., on Sunday. (Saturday was spent at Ohio Stadium at the Ohio State-Miami game).

“I love meeting the people all over Ohio who are working really, really hard to do great things for kids,” Ross said. “My wife and I go to a game every Friday evening somewhere in Ohio. It’s an opportunity see those communities come together. ... I think that I have the best job in the world.

“It’s a great opportunity to kind of touch tomorrow every day because you’re working with kids and helping them get to where they need to go.”

Although Ross has never been to a regular-season game in the Valley, that streak will end on Oct. 29 when he attends the Poland-Canfield game.