LHAC going up in flames?

[Coach]

Berlin and Meyersdale fit well in the ICC.

[EnzoLigoniere]

Until Berlin wins a couple ICC titles, then the narrative will change. But Meyersdale is at best middle of the back, so i am sure the ICC wants them.
Can anyone post some travel times from southern Somerset County past all the schools in the LHAC to the ICC schools. I will throw out the first which is 2 hours to West Branch. Have fun parents.

[BroadTopBilly]

Okay enzoligonier I'll play.
Berlin to West Branch = 99 miles or 1 hr 47 minut.
Berlin to Penns Valley = 121 miles or 2 hr 2 minut.
Berlin to Curwensville = 93 miles or 1 hr 48 minut.
Berlin to Bellefonte = 111 miles or 1 hr 51 minut.

which trips looks best? Berlin to extreme ICC locations or Berlin to extreme new LHAC Superconference locations?

[EnzoLigoniere]

Now is it better to drive 2 hours both ways for a 4:00 boys junior high game or join a conference that will allow your football team to work less but win more

[Manfred]

I thought PV was invited into the new LHAC?

[Coach]

Until Berlin wins a couple ICC titles, then the narrative will change. But Meyersdale is at best middle of the back, so i am sure the ICC wants them.
Can anyone post some travel times from southern Somerset County past all the schools in the LHAC to the ICC schools. I will throw out the first which is 2 hours to West Branch. Have fun parents.

Will other former Westpac teams join these two? North Star? Windber? Etc?? Will the ICC/LHAC allow only in house scheduling or could these teams still get another local game or two? Since Berlin has a larger co-op if leagues don’t lock maybe they will get a game with a LHAC team like BA does with Tyrone in terms of scheduling. What does Bellwood want to do now? Stay or still go with the Mtn League teams?

[Crimson's Ghost]

We're going from 5 local conferences down to 3 or 4, so heading in the right direction I guess, just taking a while. Still think the move is one big conference, like a mini WPIAL.

[Head Roadie]

We're going from 5 local conferences down to 3 or 4, so heading in the right direction I guess, just taking a while. Still think the move is one big conference, like a mini WPIAL.

You're correct Crimson....definitely headed for 4, maybe 3 pending if the Mt./LHAC merger still occurs.
As for a mini wpial....never say never but that is 10-15 years out unless the PIAA steps in and forces a 5/6 merger. That's another topic for another time but I think what you're seeing is a line being drawn between the have's (generally the bigger schools or larger athletic budgets/state of the art facilities) and the have nots (generally the A/AA's) and I don't see many crossing that line one direction or the other. Bellwood is one of those "gray area" schools that could go either way. We'll see what they do.

The smaller schools have different goals....many are just trying to survive, stay competitive, and keep participation levels up. That has become a MAJOR issue. Participation has declined in most if not all sports everywhere. There are pockets (certain schools, certain sports) that participation is not down but this is a major battle for the smaller schools.

Everyone wants to be somewhere that, at least on occassion, they can challenge for a title.

[reugenev]

The LHAC expansion still doesn’t solve the disparity issues that exist between the small school/large school/private school issues!

[Rumorman78]

I would encourage you to read my post under the football chatter of 2/11/22 . COULD THE ICC AND WEST PAC. HAVE MADE IT WORK. Comments?