HHF Commentary : Columbus North May Hold the Key to Indiana High School Conference Realignment

[Guest DT]

 

With the recent shocking news of Texas and Oklahoma taking their skills from the Big 12 to the SEC, conference realignment talk is once again front and center at football roundtables across the country.

That conversation drips down to the high school level as well, as realignment and individual conference moves happen more often than we might realize.

After talking with high school football coaches from across the state over the past month, most have nothing but praise for their conference homes, applauding the coaching staffs and administrative support their fellow conference members recieve. In a few cases, some schools may not be completely happy with their current conference homes, and maybe shopping for a new address.

One school that could be in the middle of any realignment/expansion/merger talk is Columbus North.

CN, currently a member of Conference Indiana, is a high value property that would bring great value to whichever conference it were to be affiliated with. The school has state championship trophys in multiple sports including golf, cross country, track and swimming.

What CN does not have is long term conference stability, as Conference Indiana has hemorraged members over the past 15 years, losing Martinsville, Franklin Central, Perry Meridian, Decatur Central, Pike and Lawrence Central , who all bolted for greener pastures in Indianapolis metro conferences.

The Terre Haute schools, North and South, likely saved CI from extinction when they joined the conference, in affect swapping places with LC and Pike. However with just 6 member schools, out of conference scheduling can be a nightmare for athletic directors, and that simple fact keeps the conference on edge over the possibility of further defections.

North Coach Tim Bless stated in our recent interview that he would like to see CI expand and invite additional members, or possibly seek a merger to strengthen the league and reduce its dependence on 4 non conference games every year. A possible merger with the larger private schools of the Circle City Conference has been mentioned as a possibility.

So if you are Columbus North and you are looking to secure a long term conference home, what are your options?

1. Hoosier Crossroads

The HCC recently added Franklin Central, expanding its reach to the south side of Indianapolis. Extending that reach all the way down to Columbus might be more travel than HCC members want to bear. Remember how 10 years ago the HCC booted the Lafayette schools over non competitive and travel related issues.

2. Hoosier Hills

CN has a strong connection to Indianapolis, and jumping to the Hoosier Hills would end those connections and disrupt the Bulldogs access to the states largest media market. It is likely that rival Columbus East would attempt to block the move , as the Olympians call the HHC their home and they would likely rather secede from the IHSAA than share a permanent home dwelling with the hated Bulldogs.

3. Metropolitan (MIC)

North just does not have the enrolment to compete consistently in the revenue sports in The MIC. The school would be a great addition in the country club sports, girls sports, baseball and soccer, and would give Carmel and Center Grove some much needed competition as the other MIC schools are weak in many of these non revenue sports. Bottom line, North is used to being the big fish in the pond. Becoming the smallest school in The MIC just doesn't seem to suit their personality.

4. Mid State Conference

Potentially a very good fit. The MSC is a rock solid conference from top to bottom. its core schools are on the south end of Indy, making travel to Columbus on 65 quite simple and convenient. Perry Meridian, an awful football school, just grabbed the open 8th spot in the conference, weakening the leagues football profile, but adding a 6A school that is solid in most sports on the athletic menu. The MSC however is likely not looking to expand past 8 members, and CN might view the league as a slight step down in competition from its current home in Conference Indiana.

5. Expanded Conference Indiana

Coach Bless seemed to lean towards this option as possibly the most attractive for CN, and I agree. CI and The Circle City have had a scheduling arrangement for several years, with the two leagues hooking up for some very interesting interconference matchups. While the Circle City has had the upper hand recently, the games are generally competitive and all the schools have the resources to improve and continue to increase the level of play. A merger of the Big 4 private schools of the Circle City (Roncalli/Chatard/Brebeuf/Guerin) with the 6 public schools of Conference Indiana (Columbus North/Southport/Bloom North/Bloom South/TH North/TH South) creates a very solid 10 team public/private conference that provides for a very high level of play in all sports, reasoable travel, as these schools are used to being on the road, and a group of schools with great history and relavence in Indiana high school sports, both past and future.

How about we just call it The Big Ten?

Columbus North 6A

Terre Haute North 5A

Southport 6A

Terre Haute South 5A

Bloomington North 5A

Bloomington South 5A

Bishop Chatard 4A

Indianapolis Roncalli 4A

Indianapolis Brebeuf 3A

Guerin 3A

7a3e1bd6-7d8b-472a-9b56-d1803183f019.webp

[temptation]

16 minutes ago, DT said:

 

With the recent shocking news of Texas and Oklahoma taking their skills from the Big 12 to the SEC, conference realignment talk is once again front and center at football roundtables across the country.

That conversation drips down to the high school level as well, as realignment and individual conference moves happen more often than we might realize.

After talking with high school football coaches from across the state over the past month, most have nothing but praise for their conference homes, applauding the coaching staffs and administrative support their fellow conference members recieve. In a few cases, some schools may not be completely happy with their current conference homes, and maybe shopping for a new address.

One school that could be in the middle of any realignment/expansion/merger talk is Columbus North.

CN, currently a member of Conference Indiana, is a high value property that would bring great value to whichever conference it were to be affiliated with. The school has state championship trophys in multiple sports including golf, cross country, track and swimming.

What CN does not have is long term conference stability, as Conference Indiana has hemorraged members over the past 15 years, losing Martinsville, Franklin Central, Perry Meridian, Decatur Central, Pike and Lawrence Central , who all bolted for greener pastures in Indianapolis metro conferences.

The Terre Haute schools, North and South, likely saved CI from extinction when they joined the conference, in affect swapping places with LC and Pike. However with just 6 member schools, out of conference scheduling can be a nightmare for athletic directors, and that simple fact keeps the conference on edge over the possibility of further defections.

North Coach Tim Bless stated in our recent interview that he would like to see CI expand and invite additional members, or possibly seek a merger to strengthen the league and reduce its dependence on 4 non conference games every year. A possible merger with the larger private schools of the Circle City Conference has been mentioned as a possibility.

So if you are Columbus North and you are looking to secure a long term conference home, what are your options?

1. Hoosier Crossroads

The HCC recently added Franklin Central, expanding its reach to the south side of Indianapolis. Extending that reach all the way down to Columbus might be more travel than HCC members want to bear. Remember how 10 years ago the HCC booted the Lafayette schools over non competitive and travel related issues.

2. Hoosier Hills

CN has a strong connection to Indianapolis, and jumping to the Hoosier Hills would end those connections and disrupt the Bulldogs access to the states largest media market. It is likely that rival Columbus East would attempt to block the move , as the Olympians call the HHC their home and they would likely rather secede from the IHSAA than share a permanent home dwelling with the hated Bulldogs.

3. Metropolitan (MIC)

North just does not have the enrolment to compete consistently in the revenue sports in The MIC. The school would be a great addition in the country club sports, girls sports, baseball and soccer, and would give Carmel and Center Grove some much needed competition as the other MIC schools are weak in many of these non revenue sports. Bottom line, North is used to being the big fish in the pond. Becoming the smallest school in The MIC just doesn't seem to suit their personality.

4. Mid State Conference

Potentially a very good fit. The MSC is a rock solid conference from top to bottom. its core schools are on the south end of Indy, making travel to Columbus on 65 quite simple and convenient. Perry Meridian, an awful football school, just grabbed the open 8th spot in the conference, weakening the leagues football profile, but adding a 6A school that is solid in most sports on the athletic menu. The MSC however is likely not looking to expand past 8 members, and CN might view the league as a slight step down in competition from its current home in Conference Indiana.

5. Expanded Conference Indiana

Coach Bless seemed to lean towards this option as possibly the most attractive for CN, and I agree. CI and The Circle City have had a scheduling arrangement for several years, with the two leagues hooking up for some very interesting interconference matchups. While the Circle City has had the upper hand recently, the games are generally competitive and all the schools have the resources to improve and continue to increase the level of play. A merger of the Big 4 private schools of the Circle City (Roncalli/Chatard/Brebeuf/Guerin) with the 6 public schools of Conference Indiana (Columbus North/Southport/Bloom North/Bloom South/TH North/TH South) creates a very solid 10 team public/private conference that provides for a very high level of play in all sports, reasoable travel, as these schools are used to being on the road, and a group of schools with great history and relavence in Indiana high school sports, both past and future.

How about we just call it The Big Ten?

Columbus North 6A

Terre Haute North 5A

Southport 6A

Terre Haute South 5A

Bloomington North 5A

Bloomington South 5A

Bishop Chatard 4A

Indianapolis Roncalli 4A

Indianapolis Brebeuf 3A

Guerin 3A

7a3e1bd6-7d8b-472a-9b56-d1803183f019.webp 51.85 kB · 0 downloads

Option 2 seems to make the most sense but is it really much of an upgrade from their current situation competitively?

[Frozen Tundra]

13 minutes ago, DT said:

 

With the recent shocking news of Texas and Oklahoma taking their skills from the Big 12 to the SEC, conference realignment talk is once again front and center at football roundtables across the country.

That conversation drips down to the high school level as well, as realignment and individual conference moves happen more often than we might realize.

After talking with high school football coaches from across the state over the past month, most have nothing but praise for their conference homes, applauding the coaching staffs and administrative support their fellow conference members recieve. In a few cases, some schools may not be completely happy with their current conference homes, and maybe shopping for a new address.

One school that could be in the middle of any realignment/expansion/merger talk is Columbus North.

CN, currently a member of Conference Indiana, is a high value property that would bring great value to whichever conference it were to be affiliated with. The school has state championship trophys in multiple sports including golf, cross country, track and swimming.

What CN does not have is long term conference stability, as Conference Indiana has hemorraged members over the past 15 years, losing Martinsville, Franklin Central, Perry Meridian, Decatur Central, Pike and Lawrence Central , who all bolted for greener pastures in Indianapolis metro conferences.

The Terre Haute schools, North and South, likely saved CI from extinction when they joined the conference, in affect swapping places with LC and Pike. However with just 6 member schools, out of conference scheduling can be a nightmare for athletic directors, and that simple fact keeps the conference on edge over the possibility of further defections.

North Coach Tim Bless stated in our recent interview that he would like to see CI expand and invite additional members, or possibly seek a merger to strengthen the league and reduce its dependence on 4 non conference games every year. A possible merger with the larger private schools of the Circle City Conference has been mentioned as a possibility.

So if you are Columbus North and you are looking to secure a long term conference home, what are your options?

1. Hoosier Crossroads

The HCC recently added Franklin Central, expanding its reach to the south side of Indianapolis. Extending that reach all the way down to Columbus might be more travel than HCC members want to bear. Remember how 10 years ago the HCC booted the Lafayette schools over non competitive and travel related issues.

2. Hoosier Hills

CN has a strong connection to Indianapolis, and jumping to the Hoosier Hills would end those connections and disrupt the Bulldogs access to the states largest media market. It is likely that rival Columbus East would attempt to block the move , as the Olympians call the HHC their home and they would likely rather secede from the IHSAA than share a permanent home dwelling with the hated Bulldogs.

3. Metropolitan (MIC)

North just does not have the enrolment to compete consistently in the revenue sports in The MIC. The school would be a great addition in the country club sports, girls sports, baseball and soccer, and would give Carmel and Center Grove some much needed competition as the other MIC schools are weak in many of these non revenue sports. Bottom line, North is used to being the big fish in the pond. Becoming the smallest school in The MIC just doesn't seem to suit their personality.

4. Mid State Conference

Potentially a very good fit. The MSC is a rock solid conference from top to bottom. its core schools are on the south end of Indy, making travel to Columbus on 65 quite simple and convenient. Perry Meridian, an awful football school, just grabbed the open 8th spot in the conference, weakening the leagues football profile, but adding a 6A school that is solid in most sports on the athletic menu. The MSC however is likely not looking to expand past 8 members, and CN might view the league as a slight step down in competition from its current home in Conference Indiana.

5. Expanded Conference Indiana

Coach Bless seemed to lean towards this option as possibly the most attractive for CN, and I agree. CI and The Circle City have had a scheduling arrangement for several years, with the two leagues hooking up for some very interesting interconference matchups. While the Circle City has had the upper hand recently, the games are generally competitive and all the schools have the resources to improve and continue to increase the level of play. A merger of the Big 4 private schools of the Circle City (Roncalli/Chatard/Brebeuf/Guerin) with the 6 public schools of Conference Indiana (Columbus North/Southport/Bloom North/Bloom South/TH North/TH South) creates a very solid 10 team public/private conference that provides for a very high level of play in all sports, reasoable travel, as these schools are used to being on the road, and a group of schools with great history and relavence in Indiana high school sports, both past and future.

How about we just call it The Big Ten?

Columbus North 6A

Terre Haute North 5A

Southport 6A

Terre Haute South 5A

Bloomington North 5A

Bloomington South 5A

Bishop Chatard 4A

Indianapolis Roncalli 4A

Indianapolis Brebeuf 3A

Guerin 3A

7a3e1bd6-7d8b-472a-9b56-d1803183f019.webp 51.85 kB · 0 downloads

Could you clue me in on the idea that Columbus East doesn’t want Columbus North in the HHC? Not saying you’re wrong but I’m an East alum and I’ve never heard this. Then again, everyone pretty much accepted that they each had their own conferences. From my perspective, North has always had a white collar mentality and has preferred playing the bigger schools in south-central Indiana as well as Indy area schools.

On the flip-side, East has a blue collar mentality and prefers playing their traditional southeast Indiana rivals. While I am jealous of North’s strong commitment to athletics and their athletic brand, it should be noted more money flows into that school by way of a richer student population. Take a drive through both high schools’ districts and you’ll see what I mean.

Nevertheless, I’d still like to hear what you know or think you know about East not wanting North in the HHC. I know there was some strong disdain between fans of the schools back in the 70s because North thought East took all the football talent. However, I wasn’t aware of any major disdain (such as what you’re referencing) occurring today.

[Footballking16]

1 hour ago, DT said:

 

With the recent shocking news of Texas and Oklahoma taking their skills from the Big 12 to the SEC, conference realignment talk is once again front and center at football roundtables across the country.

That conversation drips down to the high school level as well, as realignment and individual conference moves happen more often than we might realize.

After talking with high school football coaches from across the state over the past month, most have nothing but praise for their conference homes, applauding the coaching staffs and administrative support their fellow conference members recieve. In a few cases, some schools may not be completely happy with their current conference homes, and maybe shopping for a new address.

One school that could be in the middle of any realignment/expansion/merger talk is Columbus North.

CN, currently a member of Conference Indiana, is a high value property that would bring great value to whichever conference it were to be affiliated with. The school has state championship trophys in multiple sports including golf, cross country, track and swimming.

What CN does not have is long term conference stability, as Conference Indiana has hemorraged members over the past 15 years, losing Martinsville, Franklin Central, Perry Meridian, Decatur Central, Pike and Lawrence Central , who all bolted for greener pastures in Indianapolis metro conferences.

The Terre Haute schools, North and South, likely saved CI from extinction when they joined the conference, in affect swapping places with LC and Pike. However with just 6 member schools, out of conference scheduling can be a nightmare for athletic directors, and that simple fact keeps the conference on edge over the possibility of further defections.

North Coach Tim Bless stated in our recent interview that he would like to see CI expand and invite additional members, or possibly seek a merger to strengthen the league and reduce its dependence on 4 non conference games every year. A possible merger with the larger private schools of the Circle City Conference has been mentioned as a possibility.

So if you are Columbus North and you are looking to secure a long term conference home, what are your options?

1. Hoosier Crossroads

The HCC recently added Franklin Central, expanding its reach to the south side of Indianapolis. Extending that reach all the way down to Columbus might be more travel than HCC members want to bear. Remember how 10 years ago the HCC booted the Lafayette schools over non competitive and travel related issues.

2. Hoosier Hills

CN has a strong connection to Indianapolis, and jumping to the Hoosier Hills would end those connections and disrupt the Bulldogs access to the states largest media market. It is likely that rival Columbus East would attempt to block the move , as the Olympians call the HHC their home and they would likely rather secede from the IHSAA than share a permanent home dwelling with the hated Bulldogs.

3. Metropolitan (MIC)

North just does not have the enrolment to compete consistently in the revenue sports in The MIC. The school would be a great addition in the country club sports, girls sports, baseball and soccer, and would give Carmel and Center Grove some much needed competition as the other MIC schools are weak in many of these non revenue sports. Bottom line, North is used to being the big fish in the pond. Becoming the smallest school in The MIC just doesn't seem to suit their personality.

4. Mid State Conference

Potentially a very good fit. The MSC is a rock solid conference from top to bottom. its core schools are on the south end of Indy, making travel to Columbus on 65 quite simple and convenient. Perry Meridian, an awful football school, just grabbed the open 8th spot in the conference, weakening the leagues football profile, but adding a 6A school that is solid in most sports on the athletic menu. The MSC however is likely not looking to expand past 8 members, and CN might view the league as a slight step down in competition from its current home in Conference Indiana.

5. Expanded Conference Indiana

Coach Bless seemed to lean towards this option as possibly the most attractive for CN, and I agree. CI and The Circle City have had a scheduling arrangement for several years, with the two leagues hooking up for some very interesting interconference matchups. While the Circle City has had the upper hand recently, the games are generally competitive and all the schools have the resources to improve and continue to increase the level of play. A merger of the Big 4 private schools of the Circle City (Roncalli/Chatard/Brebeuf/Guerin) with the 6 public schools of Conference Indiana (Columbus North/Southport/Bloom North/Bloom South/TH North/TH South) creates a very solid 10 team public/private conference that provides for a very high level of play in all sports, reasoable travel, as these schools are used to being on the road, and a group of schools with great history and relavence in Indiana high school sports, both past and future.

How about we just call it The Big Ten?

Columbus North 6A

Terre Haute North 5A

Southport 6A

Terre Haute South 5A

Bloomington North 5A

Bloomington South 5A

Bishop Chatard 4A

Indianapolis Roncalli 4A

Indianapolis Brebeuf 3A

Guerin 3A

7a3e1bd6-7d8b-472a-9b56-d1803183f019.webp 51.85 kB · 0 downloads

Expanding Conference Indiana makes some sense although you're not going to get a commitment from Chatard. A locked regular season means no Cathedral and that just isn't going to happen. But Roncalli would be a solid addition. 

Guessing the HCC and MIC are off the table considering it's borderline unsafe to play schools with that enrollment disparity according to previous comments. 

[fenderbender]

The Guiren-Terre Haute-Columbus distance would be the sticking point IMO.   

Roncalli is exactly half way between GC and CN.

Terre Haute is an 1:20 from Roncalli and 1:40 from GC.

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by fenderbender

[fenderbender]

4 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Expanding Conference Indiana makes some sense although you're not going to get a commitment from Chatard. A locked regular season means no Cathedral and that just isn't going to happen. But Roncalli would be a solid addition. 

Guessing the HCC and MIC are off the table considering it's borderline unsafe to play schools with that enrollment disparity according to previous comments. 

And Roncalli-Cathedral just started again.  (Two seasons from now?)  Depends if they are going to keep it going.

[Footballking16]

17 minutes ago, fenderbender said:

And Roncalli-Cathedral just started again.  (Two seasons from now?)  Depends if they are going to keep it going.

Believe it starts next year but could be wrong. Amazing it takes a resurgence in the program to get Cathedral back on the schedule. I believe Columbus North gets Cathedral and Roncalli back to back this year.  

[Frozen Tundra]

14 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Expanding Conference Indiana makes some sense although you're not going to get a commitment from Chatard. A locked regular season means no Cathedral and that just isn't going to happen.

Even if a merger did occur, I highly doubt they’d play a nine game conference schedule. Columbus North wouldn’t want that because they wouldn’t be able to play Columbus East.

[Footballking16]

15 minutes ago, Frozen Tundra said:

Even if a merger did occur, I highly doubt they’d play a nine game conference schedule. Columbus North wouldn’t want that because they wouldn’t be able to play Columbus East.

Then I don't understand the point of the merger? How many conferences that have at least 10 teams have open weeks to schedule non-conference opponents? 

[Lysander]

1 hour ago, Footballking16 said:

Expanding Conference Indiana makes some sense although you're not going to get a commitment from Chatard. A locked regular season means no Cathedral and that just isn't going to happen. But Roncalli would be a solid addition. 

Guessing the HCC and MIC are off the table considering it's borderline unsafe to play schools with that enrollment disparity according to previous comments. 

Agreed.  Add that I’d generally hate seeing Chatard in a “closed” schedule because of conference obligations.  I really think closed conferences are a bane on HS athletics.

[Frozen Tundra]

1 hour ago, Footballking16 said:

Then I don't understand the point of the merger? How many conferences that have at least 10 teams have open weeks to schedule non-conference opponents? 

Conference Indiana did back when it was a 10 team league from 1998-2005. They always played a seven game conference schedule.

The North Central Conference always plays a seven game schedule despite having ten teams.

Edited August 4, 2021 by Frozen Tundra

[Footballking16]

31 minutes ago, Frozen Tundra said:

Conference Indiana did back when it was a 10 team league from 1998-2005. They always played a seven game conference schedule.

The North Central Conference always plays a seven game schedule despite having ten teams.

Fair enough. I know the Summit is locked with 10 teams and the SIAC is now. Not sure how you crown a true champion without playing a round robin schedule. 

[Frozen Tundra]

7 minutes ago, Footballking16 said:

Fair enough. I know the Summit is locked with 10 teams and the SIAC is now. Not sure how you crown a true champion without playing a round robin schedule. 

I agree. Unfortunately, it happens all the time in college athletics. Those massive conference sizes don’t allow for a double round robin in basketball so they only play like half the teams once and the other half twice.

[temptation]

51 minutes ago, Frozen Tundra said:

Conference Indiana did back when it was a 10 team league from 1998-2005. They always played a seven game conference schedule.

The North Central Conference always plays a seven game schedule despite having ten teams.

Which creates chaos when it comes to unbalanced schedules, meaning non-deserving teams are sometimes in contention for conference titles.

The SEC is about to find out and the Big Ten already has.

[Frozen Tundra]

14 minutes ago, temptation said:

Which creates chaos when it comes to unbalanced schedules, meaning non-deserving teams are sometimes in contention for conference titles.

The SEC is about to find out and the Big Ten already has.

Completely agree. I’ve always said conferences should have their teams play each other an equal number of times. If your conference is too big to allow that then maybe you shouldn’t have that many teams to begin with. However, it always comes down to money. The more you can get the less people care about things like balanced conference schedules.

[DanteEstonia]

Have Martinsville swap conferences with Columbus North. Problem solved.

Part 1.

[Guest DT]

6 hours ago, Frozen Tundra said:

Could you clue me in on the idea that Columbus East doesn’t want Columbus North in the HHC? Not saying you’re wrong but I’m an East alum and I’ve never heard this. Then again, everyone pretty much accepted that they each had their own conferences. From my perspective, North has always had a white collar mentality and has preferred playing the bigger schools in south-central Indiana as well as Indy area schools.

On the flip-side, East has a blue collar mentality and prefers playing their traditional southeast Indiana rivals. While I am jealous of North’s strong commitment to athletics and their athletic brand, it should be noted more money flows into that school by way of a richer student population. Take a drive through both high schools’ districts and you’ll see what I mean.

Nevertheless, I’d still like to hear what you know or think you know about East not wanting North in the HHC. I know there was some strong disdain between fans of the schools back in the 70s because North thought East took all the football talent. However, I wasn’t aware of any major disdain (such as what you’re referencing) occurring today.

I have no inside knowledge.  I go primarily off of what I have read on The GID over the years.  There appears to be a lot of animosity between the two fan bases.  Maybe the admins have found common ground and get along well.  Not so much fior the fans, supporters and alumni however.  

[Frozen Tundra]

6 hours ago, DT said:

I have no inside knowledge.  I go primarily off of what I have read on The GID over the years.  There appears to be a lot of animosity between the two fan bases.  Maybe the admins have found common ground and get along well.  Not so much fior the fans, supporters and alumni however.  

You can add me in that mix. Can’t stand North but I’ll give the devil his due. They have a very solid athletic program across the board and put ours to shame.