Ch-ch-ch-changes : 2003

The biggest change is a state-wide one : the introduction of a new ratings system by the VHSL.

The offical, download-able master schedule that came out in July had nearly 2 dozen mistakes. Corrected versions are being posted weekly, but I have what I think are all the 'local' corrections available.

The new coaches and schools for 2003 also get their own pages.


In SW VA, the big change for this Fall is the formation of a new district in Group AA, Region III. Last Fall, after a lot of back-and-forth between the schools & the VHSL, the Blue Ridge District finally split. It was decided that the more 'western' schools of Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Pulaski Co., Salem and Hidden Valley would break-off and become the River Ridge District, leaving Alleghany, Lord Botetourt, Northside, William Byrd and William Fleming in the Blue Ridge.
And over the Summer, Cave Spring finally got to drop to AA, joining the River Ridge District as a Div. 3 school.

Speaking of Blacksburg, their athletes will be sporting a new nickname this Fall. The Indians have followed the footsteps (or should that be tracks?) of the Fighting Gobblers and the Shawnees into the history books, and will now be known as the Bruins. (Next up for the Montgomery Co. school board - more debates with those folks who say Christiansburg's 'Blue Demons' nickname "offend their Christian beliefs".)



A few SW VA schools have switched Divisions from last year due to changes in enrollment.

In Region IV, Patrick Co. moves up to Div. 4 while Martinsville drops to Div. 3.

In Region III: Liberty (Bedford) & Staunton River will move up to Div. 4, while Lord Botetourt drops to Div. 3; Cave Spring drops from AAA to Div. 3.

In the "split" Dogwood District, Nelson Co. drops from AA Div. 3 to A Div. 2, while Buckingham Co. moves up from A Div. 2 to AA Div. 3

In Group A, Region D, Rye Cove will move up to Div. 2, while Castlewood drops to Div. 1.

Region C has no changes this time around.

In Region B, Dogwood District member Altavista (A) has decided to take a breather from VHSL football, according to a May 7th article in the Roanoke Times. The school decided they would field an "independant" team during this 2-year cycle, meaning they aren't eligible for the district title or for post-season play, but are treated like a non-district team for VHSL teams that play them.

The VHSL's Redistricting & Reclassification Committee has been busy of late. Seems like they're full of ideas, including restructuring the enrollment numers by using the ADM for grades 9-12, and consdering a move to a 4 Group system. For more details, visit the VHSL's R&R page.



Colleges
Art imitates Life?

Or did those "Boston Public" writers get their season-ending surprise from an April 26th article in the Bristol Herald Courier ?

Just a month before Harper announced that the school was dropping their athletic programs due to budget cut-backs, ETSU President Paul Stanton announced that the (Div. 1-AA) Bucs football program will cease to exist after the 2003 season.

He cited a number of factors which led to the decision : the school is losing around a million bucks per year on football, the Memorial Center turf needs replacing (at a cost of around $1.5 million), meeting Title IX requirements would cost almost half a million per year, and the state of Tennessee will faze out state monies going into the athletic programs by 2007.

So go by the Mini-Dome this season and say farewell to the college version of Arena Football. While you're there, drop a line to RU and tell them you know of a football stadium for sale - cheap. And listen to the games on WMJD (if anyone will sponsor them).