Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The Ohio Valley Conference’s growth plates are still open.

Reports say that Gallipolis was invited to join the OVC at its monthly meeting on Wednesday.

Gallipolis — a charter member of the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League — has sought to join the OVC several times over the past few years, mainly due to the uncertainty of their current league.

Portsmouth is currently a member of the SEOAL but joins the OVC in every sport this school year except football. The Trojans are slated to play football next year.

Ironton also joined the OVC and will follow a similar path. The Fighting Tigers are not part of the football rotation this year but will participate in the other sports before becoming part of the football race next fall.

The SEOAL is currently comprised of Jackson, Logan, Warren, Portsmouth and Gallipolis. There has been some talk of Marietta returning to the league.

If Gallipolis does leave, the Blue Devils must give a two-year notice. School officials reportedly told other league members of the situation on Thursday morning. If Gallipolis leaves the SEOAL, it would be eligible to join the OVC in 2016.

The addition of Gallipolis would give the OVC an eight-team league that includes Ironton, Coal Grove, Rock Hill, Chesapeake, South Point, Fairland and Portsmouth.

According to enrollment numbers by the Ohio High School Athletic Association released in 2013, Gallipolis would be the largest school in the conference.

Enrollment numbers are based on the number of boys and girls in grades 9-11.

School Boys Girls

Gallipolis 253 224

South Point 209 196

Fairland 202 188

Rock Hill 189 166

Portsmouth 187 175

Chesapeake 176 159

Ironton 162 153

Coal Grove 140 135