Buckeye Trail joins seven-school IVC North exodus to build new conference

OLD WASHINGTON — Buckeye Trail High was part of a group of seven school districts in the Inter-Valley Conference’s North Division which have announced plans to leave the league and form a new athletic conference beginning with the 2028-29 school year.

Trail, which joined the IVC starting with the 2017-2018 season, made the move after evaluating the recent changes in the alignment of the league according to athletic director Craig Taylor.

"When the three schools in the IVC South decided to withdraw earlier this year, it created a situation where each school had to take a look at what was best for their programs, student-athletes and community," Taylor explained. "Although we struggled with the withdrawal because the IVC is such a great conference, we are elated that we get to remain with the schools from the IVC North with whom we have built a strong, competitive relationship."

"The IVC is a wonderful conference, a highly competitive conference and one that generates a lot of money, through media fees to broadcast our games, to give back to our student-athletes via scholarships at the conclusion of each school year," Taylor continued. "The IVC gives between $11,000-$13,000 each year to scholarship winners from each member school. I do not believe any other conference in Ohio gives out that much money to their student-athletes."

But in the end, the East Guernsey School District made the decision with the focus being on what was best for the Warriors' sports program, student-athletes and community.

"Really the biggest factors are safety, competitiveness, and enrollment figures," Taylor said. "We have to do what is in the best interest of our programs, student-athletes and community."

A group decision: staying together

In a joint media release, Brown Local Schools, Conotton Valley Union Local Schools, East Guernsey Local Schools, Newcomerstown Exempted Village Schools, Osnaburg Local Schools, Strasburg-Franklin Local Schools and Tuscarawas Central Catholic said they have mutually agreed to withdraw from the IVC following the conclusion of the 2027-28 academic year.

School representatives said the move came after “thoughtful discussion and careful consideration” and was driven by a shared vision for the long-term future of their athletic programs and student-athletes.

The announcement comes months after three other IVC member schools — Sandy Valley, Claymont and Tusky Valley — revealed plans to leave the conference to join the newly formed Northeast Senate League beginning in the 2028-29 school year. That conference is expected to include Carrollton, Minerva, Marlington, Fairless and Tuslaw.

With the latest departures, the IVC faces a dramatic restructuring, with 10 member schools now slated to exit by the end of the 2027-28 school year.

In the joint statement, the seven schools said they remain committed to fulfilling their obligations to the IVC until their departure.

Hopes are for stronger opportunities

Officials said the decision was centered on improving the overall experience for student-athletes, including maintaining competitive balance, reducing travel demands and creating stronger opportunities for participating schools.

The schools also expressed appreciation for their history within the conference.

“We are incredibly grateful for the relationships, rivalries, and traditions built within the Inter-Valley Conference,” the statement said. “The experiences shared with fellow member schools have had a lasting impact on our student-athletes, coaches, and communities.”

Details about the new league, including a name, membership structure and opportunities for additional schools to join, are expected to be announced at a later date.

This story was created by reporter Kevin Sutton, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more. 

KSutton1@gannett.com; X: @KSuttonDJSports; Instagram: kevinsutton_dailyjeffsports

This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Why Warriors and six North Division teams are sticking together in new league