It was about 18 months ago the demise of one of Illinois’ most prestigious athletic conferences began, and this weekend played out exactly why the breakup was so petty and irresponsible.
The former 12-member Okaw Valley Conference of central Illinois was the premier league to be a part. State champions and annual powers of almost every sport were a part of it.
But when certain member schools became less competitive, mainly on the football field, grumbling and hard feelings began to build up among those members.
Starting last spring, discussions began among disgruntled administrators about seceding from the league. Once gathering enough support, it came to pass nine of the twelve conference members left, forming the new Central Illinois Conference, all for the sake of being more competitive in football.
Maroa-Forsyth, Monticello, and Tolono Unity were left to piece together a new look Okaw Valley Conference and came away with a seemingly daunting and intimidating new Okaw Valley Conference, welcoming St. Joseph-Ogden, Champaign St. Thomas More and Rantoul.
In the process, leaving the eight who vacated the league to begin their own league, with major egg in their face.
As if it wasn’t evident at the time, it certainly was this weekend.
Four schools from each conference played first round playoff games.
Four of the six members of the new Okaw made the playoffs, and interestingly enough, all advanced this weekend.
Three of the four from the new Central Illinois Conference did not fare as well. Sullivan, Shelbyville and Decatur St. Teresa all lost in the first round by a combined 45 points. Tuscola was the only winner from the CIC this weekend, who beat fellow conference member, Shelbyville.
So in the end, was it worth it?
To those administrators that felt a conference switch would make them more competitive, was the switch worth it?
Yes in the first year, you were able to get your school a tenth game of the season, which I suppose was the goal, but did you really win?
Sullivan-Okaw Valley played two non-conference games against teams with a 3-15 record, and played three of their nine regular season games against teams with a winning record.
Shelbyville played two non-conference games against teams with an even 9-9 record, and played just four of their nine games against teams with a winning record.
I reserve judgement on Decatur St. Teresa and Tuscola because of the fact they had success in the former Okaw Valley Conference and have also had success in the postseason.
But I still maintain for all, was the switch worth it?
From where I sit after the first week of the IHSA playoffs, it would appear the goal was achieved. Sullivan and Shelbyville made the postseason.
But look closer, schools such as Maroa-Forsyth, Monticello and Tolono Unity perennially make the postseason, however, the expectation is not just a postseason appearance, but to be playing into the second, third and Thanksgiving weekend of November.
If the Central Illinois Conference really wanted to do what was best for their student athletes as a whole, and not just the football teams, they would have remained in the old Okaw Valley Conference.
Say what they want about the breakup, but since it began, it was clearly football driven, which completely contradicts their public statements about doing what is best for their student athletes.
And for forward thinking individuals like myself and many others, what took place among Central Illinois Conference members this weekend, was in no way a surprise.
How do they say it? Competition breeds success. It’s very apparent a football frail Central Illinois Conference was more detrimental than a football strong former and new Okaw Valley Conference.
In a world where perception is reality, the new Central Illinois Conference image appears to be a handful of sore losers who want mediocrity to become the standard for success. And for schools like Maroa-Forsyth, Monticello and Tolono Unity, and throw in St. Joseph-Ogden for good measure, a no excuses driven brand continues to get results and only strengthen their image.
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