Conference Realignment - Hoosier Highschool Football Q&A with Whiteland Head Coach Darrin Fisher

[Guest]

Question 1

Athletic conferences have been at the heart of high school sports for decades.  Winning conference championships at one time was the primary goal for hundreds of schools around the state.  Do you feel that the introduction of the state tournament, and the emphasis that it receives, has devalued the conference championship over these past few decades?

 

 

Question 2

Do you feel that the recent events in The MIC could potentially create a domino effect where other schools begin to reassess their current conference homes and potentially seek better opportunities?

 

 

Question 3

We have seen a few conferences go to 10 schools (SIAC/SAC) and play a full round robin schedule. eliminating the need for non conference games to fill open dates.  Many like this format primarily due to ease of scheduling and reduced travel.  Others would prefer to have open dates so their schools can seek opportunities to play out of area against stronger competition.  What are your thoughts on the subject and do you have a preference of one option over the other relative to conference makeup?

 

 

Question 4

We are also seeing more conferences move to a divisional set up, sometimes to reduce travel and others to group schools by class designation.  What are some of the positives and negatives of utilizing the divisional setup?

 

 

Question 5

With regards to your school and your conference affiliation, how would you assess the current competitive balance situation within your league, and what changes or improvements would you like to see to help move the conference forwards and remain competitive at both the local and state lev

Coach Fisher responses : 

 

1.  We place great value on Winning the Mid-State Conference Championship. The hardest thing to do in HS sports is to stay in the moment and improve consistently over an entire season. 

 

2.  Of course. It is hard to resist thinking about somewhere the grass may be greener. However, it usually is not. 

 

3.  It is great to play one game where you stretch yourself as well as one game with someone out of your immediate area the first 2 weeks in my opinion. Creates a sense of urgency and excitement in the preseason as well as provides time to find what your group is good at before the conference season begins. A locked conference eliminates this opportunity. 

 

4.. Division setup allows area rivalries to continue while still providing a conference championship season schedule. If league more than 8 teams this is a win-win. 

 

5.  The Mid State Conference is an evenly matched league with good athletes and good coaching. One or more of our teams make a tournament run each season. I believe this will only continue as we all grow. 

 

[southend]

Always good to hear from the coaches ,around different parts of the state.And as always thanks for providing this.