By: Nate Calvin
Following a series of events that had more twist and turns then an Indycar road race, the Holgate Tigers were voted out of the Green Meadows Conference (GMC) and will now join the Buckeye Border Conference (BBC).
In mid-October, the BBC sent an invitation to Holgate to join the conference. After forming a committee to explore the opportunity, the Board recently voted 3-2 to remain in GMC despite the committee’s recommendation to make the move.
The deadline to accept that invitation was set for January 15th but according to a statement to Holgate by the BBC, the offer would stand until another school shows interest in joining the BBC.
In response to that the GMC executive board then met on two occasions to discuss Holgate’s future in the league, culminating with the vote to remove them. The GMC has stated recently that they were concerned with Holgate’s decision to join a newly formed league for 8-man football, the Northern 8 Conference, and how it effects the other members of the GMC in terms of scheduling.
The GMC issued a statement following the vote. “The GMC executive board met today, January 23rd, to discuss Holgate’s future in the GMC. There was a motion and a second to remove Holgate from the GMC. The results of the vote were in favor of the motion to remove Holgate from the conference.”
“The GMC executive committee agreed that removing Holgate from the conference was in the best interest of the GMC and Holgate. Holgate has been a part of the GMC for many years of friendly competition and membership. The GMC community wishes their community administration, coaches, and student-athletes the best of luck in the future.”
“In the coming months, the GMC will have discussions regarding the process in accordance with the by-laws, competitive priorities, and membership recruitment that it believes to be in the best interest of all sports across the conference.”
The Holgate Board of Education was forced to meet in an emergency session that evening to decide what their next step would be following the decision of the GMC executive board earlier in the day.
The Board voted 4-0 to accept the invitation from the BBC and issued the following statement after the meeting.
“The board voted to accept the invitation to join the Buckeye Border Conference, as they believe that to be in the best interest of our student athletes and programs going forward. Holgate is grateful for the patience and diligence of the GMC in discussing and considering all implications of this decision.’
“We understand the difficulty of this process and appreciate the professionalism they have exemplified. We are also extremely grateful to the leadership of the BBC for the invitation to join and for their willingness to keep the invitation open for our district.”
“We look forward to still being able to compete against GMC schools as non-league opponents, along with developing new relationships and rivalries within the BBC.”
“We also thank our community and the athletic committee for their input and continued support of our school, students, and programs.” “Discussions about the transition process from the GMC to the BBC will take place over the next several months. Any league change will not be immediate, as many plans need to be in place.”
The BBC now must formally accept Holgate’s invitation to the conference.
This is the first time since 1975 the GMC has had a change in its membership, when Edgerton joined the conference that year replacing Paulding who left to join the Northwest Conference. Holgate joined the GMC in 1968, six years after the league was formed.
No timetable has been set for Holgate’s removal according to Holgate Middle/High School Principal Brian Hughes, who was at the GMC meetings, but it is believed the change would take effect during either the 2021-22 or 2022-23 school year.
Nate can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com