Big Changes in Store for the ITCL for 2012
Part II
    Last week we took a look at the new, and the first change in the ITCL design with Columbiana and Jackson-Milton switching between the Division 1 or Upper Tier, and Division 2 or Lower Tier.  After consulting with the coaches involved, and the Commissioner last week, we spoke to the some of the other coaches and administrators for their reaction this week.  Obviously, like most of the fans of the ITCL, the change will take a little getting use to, but it is a change that was set in place when the ICL and TCL merged to form one 16 member league.  And in two years we may be talking about another switch in divisions depending on the enrollment of our local schools.  With Jackson-Milton, Southern Local and Columbiana having just a handfull of students seperating them, along with a recent decline in enrollment at Lisbon and Mineral Ridge, the likelyhood of another change is probably eminent.
    One of the "founding fathers" of the league is now directly involved in this switch.  Don Mook was instrumental in the merger of the ICL and TCL back six years ago.  And he was quick to point out that this is the first real change the league has made in it's first five years.
     "I was part of the committee during the merger when I was at Lisbon.  We put in the provision for a change for schools to compete by enrollment.  We use the OHSAA numbers that are calculated every two years," Mook would remark.  He would add, "If there are fairer ways to do it, then we will have to take a look at it.  Right now it is working the way it is intended to work."
     "Your representing both boys and girls.  The ITCL is based on enrollment.  Our (Columbiana) girls numbers are lower so that is why we are moving down.  As an example, our boys were in Division 3 in baseball, and the girls were Division 4.  Did that benefit us?  I don't know.
     Mook admitted the change will benefit Columbiana in some ways, "We will still maintain our rivalries, Leetonia will be a league game now, and we will continue to schedule Crestview and East Palestine as non-conference."  He also remarked that the Upper Tier schools would be less reluctant to schedule Columbiana as a Division 5 opponent as the Lower Tier schools might be.
    One other Superindendent that was involved in the merger added, "It may be a little early to tell what the Columbiana-Jackson Milton switch will do to both tiers," South Range's Dennis Dunham would say.  "Both schools have plenty to offer in terms of athletics.  It is important, in my mind, that our Division I schedule be competitive from bottom to top.  Only time will tell how the re-alignment affects South Range."
     Two teams that the move might effect the most are the closest, and perhaps the most spirited rivalries in Crestview with Columbiana, and Western Reserve with Jackson-Milton.  "I hate to see Columbiana leave the Upper Tier.  Crestview-Columbiana is always a big game and it still will be, but it will be considered non-league.  I feel that the Upper Tier and the Lower Tier should be two separate leagues.  Make one the TCL and the other the ICL and be done with it," Crestview Rebel head coach Paul Cusick would comment.  He would also add that he wouldn't mind seeing additional schools added to the league.
     "It's sad to see Jackson going to the Upper Tier becuase they are a cross town rivalry and the people in both communities do care very much about that game.  At the same time, I believe we are going to be playing Jackson as a non league game like the Ridge and Mcdonald game, so in that sense we at least will still be playing them and the rivalry will continue," Western Reserve's Andy Hake would say. 
     Hake has high praise for the Clippers and also recognizes that the addition of Columbiana will force the whole league to raise their level of play.  "As for Columbiana, they have a rich tradition there, and I'm very excited that they wil be entering our conference.  It will make our conference that much better.  They are a perennial playoff team and I believe Columbiana has one of the very best, if not the best coaching staffs in not just this league but the entire area.  Spaite and his staff get as much out of their kids then any staff I know of.  We are excited and antcipating the challenge ahead."
     Beginning with the first game of the 2012 season when Columbiana plays Crestview in a non-conference game, we will experience something a little different, and a little unconventional.  But once the lights come on, the cheerleaders cheer, the bands start to play, and the ball is kicked-off, it will be high school football again in the ITCL.  It will be a little new but definitely exciting.