Comments on: Ozarks Conference and Central Ozarks Conference Merger? http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/ Southwest Missouri's Soccer Resource Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:28:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jim http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-15927 Jim Mon, 05 Feb 2007 17:38:30 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-15927 We have been trying to get Catholic High School to start Boy's soccer since 2002. We are trying again at the School Board meeting on 2/8/07. We have the same problem cracking the football-centric mind set. I have cited Cassville and Aurora, among others, as examples of how it will work. What I hear back is "Greenwood", where soccer killed football. Good luck to Branson and Republic. It is about enriching the High School experience for the kids. Not about the parents whose kids have moved on bragging on Monday morning about the Friday night game. We have been trying to get Catholic High School to start Boy’s soccer since 2002. We are trying again at the School Board meeting on 2/8/07. We have the same problem cracking the football-centric mind set. I have cited Cassville and Aurora, among others, as examples of how it will work. What I hear back is “Greenwood”, where soccer killed football.
Good luck to Branson and Republic. It is about enriching the High School experience for the kids. Not about the parents whose kids have moved on bragging on Monday morning about the Friday night game.

]]> By: Nick Schmitt http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8897 Nick Schmitt Thu, 21 Dec 2006 00:53:09 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8897 As far as scheduling with 16 Teams, it wouldn't limit teams ability to play non-conference games. It would most likely be a situation where you would play the other 7 teams in your divisions and possibly x number of games against teams in the other division. Those teams could rotate every 2 years or you could just play the teams in your division. If you look at other large conferences, such as the GAC (Gateway Athletic Conference) in the St. Louis area, (Howell, Howell North, Duchesne, Zumwalt North, Zumwalt South, Zumwalt West, Holt, Timberland, Warrenton, St. Charles, and St. Charles West, Washington, Howell Central, Troy). 14 Schools with two 7 team divisions. It could be divide up geographically or it could be done like KC area conferences which are based on enrollment numbers and put the biggest schools in one division and the smaller ones in another. Every two years you look at the numbers and make the needed changes. I don't know what the administrators thoughts are, but those are ways that other conferences do things. Regardless of conference affiliation, it would be nice to see some other area schools add soccer. Branson, Republic, Rogersville, Catholic on the boys side. As far as scheduling with 16 Teams, it wouldn’t limit teams ability to play non-conference games. It would most likely be a situation where you would play the other 7 teams in your divisions and possibly x number of games against teams in the other division. Those teams could rotate every 2 years or you could just play the teams in your division.

If you look at other large conferences, such as the GAC (Gateway Athletic Conference) in the St. Louis area, (Howell, Howell North, Duchesne, Zumwalt North, Zumwalt South, Zumwalt West, Holt, Timberland, Warrenton, St. Charles, and St. Charles West, Washington, Howell Central, Troy). 14 Schools with two 7 team divisions.

It could be divide up geographically or it could be done like KC area conferences which are based on enrollment numbers and put the biggest schools in one division and the smaller ones in another. Every two years you look at the numbers and make the needed changes.

I don’t know what the administrators thoughts are, but those are ways that other conferences do things.

Regardless of conference affiliation, it would be nice to see some other area schools add soccer. Branson, Republic, Rogersville, Catholic on the boys side.

]]> By: Ole http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8882 Ole Wed, 20 Dec 2006 20:56:00 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8882 I think Andrew and Renee' are actually on the same page. First, keep it small (8 -10 maximum) and geographically as small as possible to reduce costs and enhance rivalries. And to Andrew's point, I've heard from many coaches about the need to have the flexibility in the schedule to reach out for games that meet the competive level of your team. Too many conference games and Kickapoo loses their ability to go to STL and challenge themselves. The next question becomes whether you keep Glendale and Kickapoo in the same Conference or split them up like Districts? PS - You tell 'em Coach/AD Jamison! I think Andrew and Renee’ are actually on the same page. First, keep it small (8 -10 maximum) and geographically as small as possible to reduce costs and enhance rivalries. And to Andrew’s point, I’ve heard from many coaches about the need to have the flexibility in the schedule to reach out for games that meet the competive level of your team.

Too many conference games and Kickapoo loses their ability to go to STL and challenge themselves. The next question becomes whether you keep Glendale and Kickapoo in the same Conference or split them up like Districts?

PS - You tell ‘em Coach/AD Jamison!

]]> By: Renee' Curro http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8870 Renee' Curro Wed, 20 Dec 2006 17:08:06 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8870 In response to Mr. Clifton's view regarding playing teams lacking the talent that he feels some teams have, to get better you sometimes have to play better teams and lose. If your team is talented enough, they will play tougher competition as they advance through the playoff process. With the economic feasibility of all sports in question, it would certainly make sense to make two 8 team conferences based on geographical areas and the cost impact to travel and compete. In a sport where we need everyone supporting each other, it is never a good situation to leave teams out when there is no need to. Why not support everyone with the creation of 2 new realighned conferences? In response to Mr. Clifton’s view regarding playing teams lacking the talent that he feels some teams have, to get better you sometimes have to play better teams and lose. If your team is talented enough, they will play tougher competition as they advance through the playoff process.

With the economic feasibility of all sports in question, it would certainly make sense to make two 8 team conferences based on geographical areas and the cost impact to travel and compete.

In a sport where we need everyone supporting each other, it is never a good situation to leave teams out when there is no need to. Why not support everyone with the creation of 2 new realighned conferences?

]]> By: Terry Jamieson http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8858 Terry Jamieson Wed, 20 Dec 2006 13:25:31 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8858 The notion that football and soccer cannot coexist is pure nonsense from the minds of ignorant football people. Here at Cassville the two sports get along great and our soccer kids are their kickers and they are respected. Poor admin. decisions are behind soccer not being in those schools. At Cassville for the past 4 years their A.D. has been coaching soccer! The notion that football and soccer cannot coexist is pure nonsense from the minds of ignorant football people. Here at Cassville the two sports get along great and our soccer kids are their kickers and they are respected. Poor admin. decisions are behind soccer not being in those schools. At Cassville for the past 4 years their A.D. has been coaching soccer!

]]> By: Andrew Clifton http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8857 Andrew Clifton Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:59:55 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8857 Creating a conference with 16 teams is a bad idea. A 16 team conference would lock the schedule for each individual school. It is vital for soccer to grow in this area that schools are given the ability to play schools from other parts of the state. Additionally, it wouldn't benefit the entire conference to have soccer teams that are at two completely opposite ends of the spectrum as far as talent and resources are concerned. I think conferences should remain small (7-10 schools) to provide schools with the ability to create diversity in their schedules. Creating a conference with 16 teams is a bad idea. A 16 team conference would lock the schedule for each individual school. It is vital for soccer to grow in this area that schools are given the ability to play schools from other parts of the state. Additionally, it wouldn’t benefit the entire conference to have soccer teams that are at two completely opposite ends of the spectrum as far as talent and resources are concerned. I think conferences should remain small (7-10 schools) to provide schools with the ability to create diversity in their schedules.

]]> By: Steve Fast http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8831 Steve Fast Wed, 20 Dec 2006 03:27:08 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8831 Every school claims they want to do what is best for the kids, yet most of these schools resist adding soccer progams. Bolivar has an enrollment of 770 which ranks 7th out of 10 in the COC. Both our football and soccer programs continue to have success year after year. Our conference soccer schools (Bolivar, Ozark, Nixa, Willard, Marshfield) have have asked to be an official sport several times over the years, but with no luck. The by-laws say we must have seven of 10. It is so frustrating to see schools the size of Branson and Republic not join us on the soccer pitch. If the conferences change as predicted, Bolivar and Marshfield may never get to play for a conference championship in soccer. Every school claims they want to do what is best for the kids, yet most of these schools resist adding soccer progams. Bolivar has an enrollment of 770 which ranks 7th out of 10 in the COC. Both our football and soccer programs continue to have success year after year. Our conference soccer schools (Bolivar, Ozark, Nixa, Willard, Marshfield) have have asked to be an official sport several times over the years, but with no luck. The by-laws say we must have seven of 10. It is so frustrating to see schools the size of Branson and Republic not join us on the soccer pitch. If the conferences change as predicted, Bolivar and Marshfield may never get to play for a conference championship in soccer.

]]> By: Ole http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8809 Ole Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:24:01 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8809 And Camdenton in the North! And Camdenton in the North!

]]> By: Bob Jordan http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8808 Bob Jordan Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:22:36 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8808 Central's enrollment has risen a lot in recent years. They are now Class 5 in football, Class 5 in basketball, Class 3 in soccer, etc. From an economic perspective, it would make more sense to me for the Springfield schools to form a conference with Ozark, Nixa, and maybe a few others. The existing conference covers a large geographic area from Joplin in the west to West Plains in the east to Rolla in the north. Central’s enrollment has risen a lot in recent years. They are now Class 5 in football, Class 5 in basketball, Class 3 in soccer, etc.

From an economic perspective, it would make more sense to me for the Springfield schools to form a conference with Ozark, Nixa, and maybe a few others.

The existing conference covers a large geographic area from Joplin in the west to West Plains in the east to Rolla in the north.

]]> By: Pete Beckett http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8804 Pete Beckett Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:15:53 +0000 http://sgfsoccer.com/2006/12/19/ozarks-conference-and-central-ozarks-conference-merger/#comment-8804 Ole, It seems that the schools mentioned are all class 4 or class 5 in the "old line" sports. I believe Central is now class 3. The thought process from Branson is typical pointy ball thought. However, some of the area's traditional football powers have included soccer to their students options without problems(Camdenton, Webb City, Ozark, Nixa, Aurora, Etc)So it is a lame excuse to deny these kids an opprotunity. I hope Republic and Rogersville join Willard, Nixa and Ozark to add another sport to expand their existing rivalries.I think they all would be a great addition to the Ozarks Conference. Ole,
It seems that the schools mentioned are all class 4 or class 5 in the “old line” sports. I believe Central is now class 3. The thought process from Branson is typical pointy ball thought. However, some of the area’s traditional football powers have included soccer to their students options without problems(Camdenton, Webb City, Ozark, Nixa, Aurora, Etc)So it is a lame excuse to deny these kids an opprotunity. I hope Republic and Rogersville join Willard, Nixa and Ozark to add another sport to expand their existing rivalries.I think they all would be a great addition to the Ozarks Conference.

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