King brings stability to All-American Conference

October 7, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

AUSTINTOWN

When Rick King took over as commissioner of the All-American Conference three years ago, his goal for the league was a very simple one: stability.

Founded in 2008, the conference has grown from 15 schools to 20 members under his watch and will be looking to add a 21st program, Ashtabula Lakeside, in time for the 2015-16 school year.

While addressing the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon at Lucianno’s Banquet Center, King said achieving that goal has been a fun process while sanctioning 20 varsity sports and overseeing 300 varsity teams has been a labor of love.

“It’s been a humbling experience to serve as AAC commissioner and while we deal with today, we’re still looking toward the future in everything that we do,” he said. “Looking out for and providing the best facilities in which our student-athletes can compete is first and foremost. Sportsmanship also plays a big part in that we want our athletes to win with dignity. We want our teams to win, but stress that they do it the right way.”

The AAC offers 11 boys and nine girls sports with an American and National division in football.

All members are active and competing for a championship in all sports, with the exception of football where everyone will compete in 2015.

The league will return to a three-tier configuration next year while adding a Gold division in football with Lakeside, Austintown Fitch, Boardman and Warren Harding.

“Going back to three tiers makes a huge difference in that more teams will now be able to compete for a championship,” he said.

The league schedules two years in advance in all sports. In football, however, schools will soon know their league opponents four years in advance so that they can work on firming up any open dates with non-league opponents.

King said championship sites this fall and winter have also been well-received.

“We just held our boys golf championship at Trumbull Country Club and our girls championship at Tamer Win Golf Course and Country Club in Cortland and both are very spectator-friendly,” he said. “Players and coaches enjoyed both courses so we are returning again next year as well.”

With the conclusion of last week’s cross country championship at Brookfield High School, which also included a middle school championship and more than 500 participants, a committee has been established in order to help the league prepare for future championships.

“In the winter, our boys and girls swimming teams will compete at Warren Harding High in what I feel is one of the very best high school swimming venues in the state,” King said. “As we eye future championships we want to best accommodate everyone so that’s where the committee will lend valuable input.”

Next week, WFMJ sports director Dana Balash will serve as guest speaker.