Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 24, 1991 TAG: 9103240049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
That's right, Radford, a Group AA school that turned down a move to Group A for the 1991-92 athletic seasons in the fall of 1989, is spearheading a move studying the organization of a new Group A district.
Attending the meeting were representatives from George Wythe, Galax, Fort Chiswell, Floyd County, Grayson County, Narrows, Giles, Graham and Glenvar. All but Graham, Wythe and Glenvar are members of the Mountain Empire District in Region C.
Schools that wish to change classifications for 1993-94 must make the move by next October. Dr. Edlow Barker, the principal at Radford, said his school's enrollment, already Group A size, continues to shrink. So Radford again must struggle with the question of whether to drop to Group A.
"No decision has been made, but we know consideration of a single [Group A] district is something we ought to think about," said Barker. "We have all our options, but, after consulting with our superintendent, we invited area schools that are similar in size and in programs. This was to discuss common needs all schools may or may not perceive."
If a new district isn't formed and Radford drops, the Bobcats would have to join an overcrowded Mountain Empire District. That was part of the reason Radford didn't make a move two years ago.
Things have changed, though. First, Buddy Martin, one of two coaches opposing Radford's drop to Group A, is no longer on the athletic staff. He gave up the job of boys' basketball coach to devote his time to being the school's assistant principal.
Also, Lebanon and George Wythe, two Group AA schools that dropped to Group A when Radford didn't, have had amazing success. Wythe made the football playoffs and was one of the state's top-five ranked boys' basketball programs.
Lebanon did better, reaching the Group A football semifinals in Division 2 and winning the Group A boys' basketball title.
The surprise teams at this meeting were Group AA Graham, also a Group A-size school like Radford, Pioneer District member Glenvar and Wythe, a new member of the Hogoheegee District.
Graham athletic director Glynn Carlock said his school's interest in a league of this kind depends upon whether Region IV, of which his school is a member, gets some new schools that are much larger. Since that's not likely to happen, scratch Graham as a candidate.
Glenvar is interested if the Pioneer District is hurt when the Rockbridge County schools (Lexington, Natural Bridge and Rockbridge) combine in two years to form one Group AA school. The Pioneer will have a large area with very few teams.
"We're listening to what people have to say and do what's best for Glenvar," said principal Al McClearn. "Our suggestion is to have another meeting and invite James River, Parry McCluer and some of the others [from the Pioneer District]. There were too many schools left out."
Wythe would take a look at a new district, then let the coaches and school board do what they think is best according the school's principal, Dan McDaniel.
"The thing that came out of this meeting is that, until Radford makes a decision, there won't be any redistricting [in Region C]. I think Radford is testing the waters. All this was was to find out what happens if things happen. I hate a meeting that people say `what if' because you don't get things accomplished. It's hard to know what the what-ifs are," McDaniel said.
Narrows athletic director Bubba Fraley said his school is happy where it is, that the Green Wave sees no point in trying to challenge Radford, which has been a Group AA football powerhouse.
Floyd County takes the opposite view. "If Radford becomes a single-A school, for geographic reasons, we're going to be with them. They're 20 miles away. We're in academic [forensics] competition with them, we play them in football and in minor sports," said Buffaloes principal Joe Bean. "I have my doubts of competing with them in certain sports [such as football], but their presence could drive us to upgrade some things."
Barker said a second meeting will be held next month. "We'll invite more schools that might be affected by this decision," he said.
Radford's fellow New River District members and other Region C teams likely will be invited. If the Bobcats leave, the New River District will have only three teams and they will have to play in either the Southwest or Highlands districts in Region IV. Carroll County, a Group AAA-size school with special dispensation from the New River District to be a Group AA school, might lose that privilege and be forced into the Group AAA Roanoke Valley District.
\ The Virginia High School League's Group AA board, at its meeting last week, refused to tackle the issue of balancing the membership between regions III and IV. The VHSL had strongly suggested that the Blue Ridge District of five teams move from III to IV to balance the regions. The Blue Ridge District rejected the proposal.
"Now nothing can be done by the board until October, and it's impractical to do it at that time," said VHSL executive secretary Earl Gillespie. "So unless they [the regions] do something, there won't be any changes."
by CNB