In a continuing attempt to bring competitive balance to high school sports, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OSHAA) announced changes this week to divisional playoff classifications. Gone is the traditional model which included only enrollment as a factor; other factors come into play.
Of the 718 schools that play football in Ohio, 75 schools moved up to a higher division due to competitive balance and/or a higher base enrollment number. In volleyball (790 schools), 51 moved up a division. In girls soccer (522 schools), 24 moved up a division, while in boys soccer (571 schools), 30 moved up a division.
“This is a journey that we have been on for more than eight years to get to this point,” Dr. Dan Ross, OHSAA Commissioner, said. “Today’s approval of the fall sports divisional breakdowns is the result of countless hours of work by our staff and our member schools. For the first time in OHSAA history, enrollment isn’t the only factor in determining a school’s division in certain sports. But the journey isn’t over. We will study the results of this first go-around and discuss with the Competitive Balance Committee and the board.”
The result is that three Richland County schools will change divisions for fall sports beginning later this year, moving up or down one classification:
Changes include the followng:
Mansfield Senior:
Football – Division II to Division III
Boys Soccer – Division I to Division II
Madison:
Volleyball: Division I to Division II
Girls Soccer: Division I to Division II
Boys Soccer: Division II to Division I
Clear Fork:
Football: Division V to Division IV
