Lysander

Probably so, surprisingly. Minimally, I have to think that Franklin Central, Noblesville and Zionsville are quite unexcited about the prospect. And by all appearances, rapidly growing Westfield may have been setting itself up to become dominant in the current conference, yet now they have to take a back seat, again. Can’t imagine that makes them thrilled. Some interesting GID fodder for a while…but just how long?

I could see them picking up games with 1-3 local PPs but I just can’t see a conference. Add that it would absolutely blow up the Circle City Conference which I don’t think the members there want.

Agreed. Seems the likeliest quick fix and those PPs always like those opportunities.

Good question and I think different people may have different answers. If it’s about self-improvement and the prospect of playing at the next level, I think you choose the HCC. If it’s just about trophies and you are going to IU to party in college, then chose the MIC.

Long story and others can tell it better.

Hey….nice to see you.

I know this phrase “culturally realigned” is a loaded one BUT for schools who have fairly serious numbers of kids in sports outside of football, basketball and baseball (and I’m not sure about baseball in the MIC) there is a problem scheduling the remaining MIC schools for sports. I realize, for example, that lacrosse and rugby aren’t even IHSAA sports but Chatard and Cathedral have a LOT of kids playing these sports…many of them football players, btw. Let alone the IHSAA sports like golf, tennis, etc. I realize NC likely has all of these (and is competitive) but what about the remaining MIC schools? Even then, simply “having” the sport doesn’t mean it’s competitive. If you are a great tennis player you likely want competitive matches most of the year for your own self-improvement if nothing else. Years ago, I had kids that played football and lacrosse. One was an All-State player in both but his first love was lacrosse. Despite my love for football, I would not have wanted him to play in the new MIC because of its lack of lacrosse…at least competitive lacrosse. BTW, I can see something like this being a problem for a school like Avon to join.

Agreed but by kicking out CG and Carmel (despite the fact they were headed out the door - apparently regardless whether they had a firm HCC deal) the MIC gets all the bad PR in this. I am still amazed that anyone with even a tinge of PR savvy allowed such a letter to be drafted, let alone released. It’s as if petty children were running these remaining MIC schools. To me the real question is who really wants to join the MIC at this point….and why? What do they have to offer? It must be pretty bad if CG and Carmel were leaving regardless and didn’t even have a firm deal.

Oh…..crap…..I just realized who HHF is.

Any sensible organization would do this.

I think it was a classless, petty and foolish move and just further seals the fate of the MIC. I’d add “childish” to the description. As to who was spurned - it backfired. Carmel and CG look sympathetic.

Outside of playoffs this is definitely a compelling subject.

Not to go all “DT” but are we possibly looking at a new conference with CG and Carmel joining select HCC teams resulting in a slimmed down MIC and HCC?

Apparently “conferences” have egos. Just why they couldn’t let them leave on their own but rather wanted to “one up” them before they left makes me realize that there are damn few grown ups running organizations these days.

Seems to be the only explanation…..although a petty one.

I’d put Northridge in as well….at least for their postseason play.

I remember the Army Corps of Engineer representatives that came and spoke to our elementary school prior to its construction to provide reassurance…..since our elementary school would come to sit literally at the foot of the dam. I was the smartass kid that recalled some comments I had heard from a neighbor and asked, “Wasn’t there a dam like this one in Italy that collapsed?” The representative admitted that this had happened but went down a list of reasons why this dam was safe. I will also admit to enjoying the Overlook there on occasion about a decade later.

I hadn’t considered that but it makes a lot of sense to me. Specifically, Franklin County experienced success fairly early on but they haven’t in some time. When they were simply Brookville High School they generally won 7-10 games most years in a 10 game season (I believe). In those days, the only expected losses were to the Dick Meador Lawrenceburg teams. East Central was a growing power but far from what they are today. Add that for some of the kids today, it’s a fairly long drive if you are from places like Laurel which means you don’t get the fullest participation. Interesting observation.

Connersville used to be a major employer for folks from Franklin County with Philco-Ford, D&M, etc. operating huge facilities there - relative to the size of Connersville. In fact, all of the surrounding counties used to benefit from that. All of that is gone. These days, Connersville is in terrible condition relative to the rest of the state by most any measurable. Brookville has never had much in the way of manufacturing jobs there excepting Fry(?) Roofing. Other than small businesses and farming, historically most other jobs were out of county - particularly Cincinnati/Ohio and Batesville (and previously in Connersville). With that it remains a quite poor but quaint little area and hasn’t suffered some of the worst rust belt ravages and dislocations so easily observed in neighboring Connersville or Rushville but it is (and has been) relatively static. Perhaps, anecdotally, it’s never had a reputation as the most welcoming to outsiders - which would even include people from same county towns like Metamora and Laurel (admittedly, that may be a feature of many rural communities).

I assume that means you are acquainted with John Adams, then?

Both Sagarin and CalPreps have Gibson Southern as the 9th ranked Indiana HS football team All Classes. To my knowledge, over the last 10 or so years, only one other 3A school has been able to break into the Top 10 All Classes. Say what you want, but that tells me that GS is a very rare and special 3A team.

I thought the entirety of Franklin County was already consolidated as of the mid-80s. Just what other existing districts could Laurel and/or Mt. Carmel opt for? In the case of Laurel, the closest existing school District (I believe) is Connersville - which is in Fayette County.

What’s happening at Franklin County….or do I even want to know?

Noticed that and wondered if that should be enough to put them in 4A. I also heard commentary at various places over the last few weeks as to whether Gibson Southern and Tri-West might be headed toward 4A enrollments - if not this upcoming period then in the near future. Does anyone know whether this might be the case?

Short of the IHSAA rewriting/resetting the current 2 year cycles they should still be in 5A (and Cathedral should remain in 5A as well).