Ohio Cardinal Conference Explained

Ohio Cardinal Conference
Pixels:frameless
Classification:OHSAA Divisions I-IV
Sports:19
Founded:2003
Members:7
Website:OCCSports.org

The Ohio Cardinal Conference, which began play in 2003, is an OHSAA athletic league whose members are from Ashland, Holmes, Richland, and Wayne counties in Ohio. The conference name stems from the local legacy of the Cardinal Conference.

The previous Cardinal Conference included: New Philadelphia, Dover, Coshocton, Ashland, Mansfield Malabar & Mansfield Madison.

History

In 2001, local athletic directors met in Mansfield, Ohio to discuss the formation of a new athletic conference; seven schools agreed to form the Ohio Cardinal Conference.[1] Five of the initial member schools came from the disbanding Ohio Heartland Conference: Ashland, Lexington, Mansfield Madison, Mansfield Senior, and Orrville.[2] West Holmes joined from the Mohican-Area Conference, and Wooster from the Federal League.[2] Clear Fork, the only non-original member of the conference, joined for the 2004-05 season.

Bureaucratically, the conference had some early struggles. The first conference commissioner, Jim Glauer, resigned in 2002 before the league even began play.[3] He was replaced by Ron Dessecker from Orrville, who remains the current commissioner.

Lexington High School has dominated the OCC athletically since the conference's inception. It has won nine consecutive all-sports trophies, the award given to the school with the greatest success in all conference athletic competitions.[4] It also has won the girls' tennis conference title every year in the conference's history and has won three state titles in that sport.[5] The Lexington boys' tennis team won all but one conference title and two state titles in the same sport. Other schools have dominated specific sports in the same way: Madison has dominated the league in girls’ volleyball and baseball. Mansfield Senior has been the champion or co-champion in boys' basketball in 9 of 11 league seasons, Wooster has won all eleven boys' swimming and nine girls' swimming titles, Ashland had four running girls' soccer championships, and Mount Vernon has won every conference softball title since joining in 2016.[1]

West Holmes High School revived discussions that had begun in 2007 with the East Central Ohio League to leave the Ohio Cardinal Conference effective the 2009-10 school year, which would have left the conference with an odd number of teams.[6] West Holmes has since decided, at least for the time being, to remain in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

An invitation for membership was extended to Triway High School in 2009, but Triway's administration voted to remain in the PAC-8.[7]

In March 2015, Orrville was invited to join the PAC-8 in 2016 as a replacement for schools that are leaving that league.[8] As a result of the Red Riders' imminent departure, Mount Vernon was invited to replace them in 2016.[9]

In March 2016, the OCC voted to kick out Clear Fork following the 2017-18 school year.[10] The Colts subsequently joined the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference in 2017-18 instead.

In April 2020, the OCC announced that New Philadelphia would join as their eighth member beginning in the 2022-23 school year. The OCC agreed to let New Philadelphia continue to play their Week 10 football rivalry with Dover, which is currently the third-oldest in Ohio.[11]

In December 2022, Mount Vernon announced that they would leave the OCC after the 2023-2024 school year to join the Licking County League.[12] On December 13, 2023, the OCC extended an invitation to Dover High School to join the league for the 2025-26 school year, with football to follow in 2026-27.[13] Dover accepted the invite on January 11, 2024.[14]

DateFormat = yyyyImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:25Period = from:2003 till:2030TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalPlotArea = right:30 left:0 bottom:50 top:5

Colors = id:barcolor id:line value:black id:bg value:white

PlotData= width:20 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:m

bar:1 color:orange from:2003 till:end textcolor:black text:Ashland (2003-present) bar:2 color:green from:2004 till:2017 textcolor:black text:Clear Fork (2003-2017) bar:3 color:purple from:2003 till:end textcolor:yellow text:Lexington (2003-present) bar:4 color:green from:2003 till:end textcolor:white text:Madison (2003-present) bar:5 color:orange from:2003 till:end textcolor:black text:Mansfield (2003-present) bar:6 color:red from:2003 till:2016 textcolor:black text:Orrville (2003-2016) bar:7 color:blue from:2003 till:end textcolor:white text: West Holmes (2003-present) bar:8 color:yellow from:2003 till:end textcolor:blue text:Wooster (2003-present) bar:9 color:orange from:2016 till:2024 textcolor:black text: Mt Vernon (2016-2024) bar:10 color:red from:2022 till:end textcolor:black text: New Philadelphia (2022-)

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:2003

TextData = fontsize:L textcolor:black pos:(370,30) # tabs:(0-center) text:"OCC Membership History"

Members[1]

SchoolNicknameLocationEnrollment (CB/FB 2022)State FB Region (2022)ColorsMiddle school(s)Tenure
AshlandArrowsAshland3782:6Orange, Black
Ashland MS2003-
LexingtonMinutemenLexington3013:10Purple, Gold
Lexington JHS2003-
Madison ComprehensiveRamsMadison Twp.3443:10Green, White
Madison JHS2003-
MansfieldTygersMansfield3433:10Orange, Brown
Mansfield MS2003-
New PhiladelphiaQuakersNew Philadelphia3403:9Red, Black
Welty MS2022-
KnightsMillersburg2324:14Blue, Red, White
West Holmes MS2003-
WoosterGeneralsWooster4262:7Blue, Gold
Edgewood MS2003-

Former members

SchoolNicknameLocationColorsMiddle school(s)Tenure
Clear ForkColtsBellvilleGreen, Black, White
Clear Fork MS2004-2017
Mount VernonYellow JacketsMount VernonOrange, Black
Mount Vernon MS2016-2024
OrrvilleRed RidersOrrvilleRed, White, Black
Orrville MS2003-2016

Future members

!School!Nickname!Location!Colors!Middle school(s)!Tenure
DoverCrimson TornadoesDoverCrimson and Gray Dover MS2025-

Conference rivalries

Non-conference rivalries

State championships[15]

This table only includes state championships won by schools while a member of the Ohio Cardinal Conference:

SchoolSportYear(s)
Ashlandnone
Clear ForkBoys' Baseball2010[16]
LexingtonGirls' TennisBoys' Tennis

Girls' Cross Country

Boys' Cross Country

2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 20122004, 2013

2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

2015, 2017

MadisonGirls Soccer2020
Mansfieldnone
Mount Vernonnone
OrrvilleVolleyball2003[17]
West HolmesGirls' Basketball2014[18]
Woosternone

Boys' league championships[19]

School YearFootballCross CountrySoccerGolfBasketballWrestlingSwimmingBowlingBaseballTrack & FieldTennis
2003-04Wooster WoosterLexingtonAshlandWooster, Mansfield West HolmesWoosterbegan in 2017-18AshlandWoosterLexington
2004-05WoosterWoosterLexingtonAshlandMansfield [20] WoosterWoostern/aLexington, MadisonAshlandLexington
2005-06Madison, Orrville LexingtonAshland, WoosterAshland, WoosterMansfield [21] AshlandWoostern/aMadisonLexingtonLexington
2006-07AshlandWoosterWoosterLexingtonMansfield [22] West HolmesWoostern/aAshlandLexingtonWooster
2007-08Ashland LexingtonWoosterLexingtonLexington, Mansfield [23] West HolmesWoostern/aWoosterLexingtonLexington
2008-09Lexington LexingtonLexingtonAshlandMadison [24] LexingtonWoostern/aClear ForkLexingtonLexington
2009-10AshlandLexingtonClear Fork, LexingtonAshlandMansfield [25] LexingtonWoostern/aClear ForkLexingtonLexington
2010-11Clear ForkAshlandWoosterAshlandLexington [26] LexingtonWoostern/aWoosterLexingtonLexington
2011-12AshlandWoosterMadisonAshlandLexington, Mansfield [27] LexingtonWoostern/aAshlandLexingtonLexington
2012-13Madison, Mansfield, West HolmesAshlandAshlandLexingtonMansfieldLexingtonWoostern/aLexingtonWoosterLexington
2013-14[28] MansfieldAshlandAshlandLexingtonWest HolmesLexingtonWoostern/aMadisonWoosterLexington
2014-15[29] West Holmes, WoosterAshlandLexingtonLexingtonAshlandLexingtonWoostern/aLexington, MadisonWoosterLexington
2015-16[30] Ashland, Mansfield, WoosterAshlandAshlandLexingtonLexingtonAshlandWoostern/aWoosterAshlandAshland
2016-17[31] Ashland, LexingtonLexingtonWoosterAshlandWoosterAshlandWoostern/aMt VernonAshlandAshland
2017-18[32] Ashland, Mansfield, WoosterLexingtonWoosterLexington, WoosterLexington, Mt VernonAshlandLexingtonAshlandLexingtonAshlandLexington
2018-19WoosterAshlandLexington, WoosterLexingtonLexington, MansfieldAshlandLexingtonWoosterLexingtonAshlandLexington
2019-20WoosterAshlandLexingtonAshlandWoosterWest HolmesWoosterLexington n/a - COVIDn/a - COVIDn/a - COVID
2020-21Ashland, West Holmes, WoosterAshlandWoosterAshlandWoosterAshlandLexingtonAshlandWoosterAshlandLexington
2021-22West HolmesWoosterLexingtonAshlandAshlandWest HolmesWoosterWoosterWoosterAshlandLexington
2022-23West HolmesLexigntonWoosterLexingtonLexington, New PhiladelphiaMount VernonWoosterAshlandWoosterAshlandLexington
2023-24MansfieldLexingtonLexingtonNew PhiladelphiaLexingtonAshlandWoosterAshlandMount VernonLexingtonLexington
2024-25

Girls' league championships[19]

School YearVolleyballCross CountrySoccerTennisGolf!BasketballSwimmingBowlingSoftballTrack & Field
2003-04OrrvilleAshlandLexingtonLexingtonbegan in 2013OrrvilleWoosterbegan in 2017-18AshlandLexington
2004-05Orrville, Madison, Lexington, West HolmesAshlandAshlandLexingtonn/aOrrvilleLexingtonn/aLexingtonLexington
2005-06WoosterLexingtonAshlandLexingtonn/aWooster [33] Woostern/aClear ForkAshland
2006-07WoosterAshlandAshlandLexingtonn/aLexingtonWoostern/aAshlandAshland
2007-08WoosterLexingtonAshlandLexingtonn/aWest HolmesWoostern/aClear Fork, WoosterOrrville
2008-09MadisonWoosterAshlandLexingtonn/aWest HolmesWoostern/aClear Fork, LexingtonAshland
2009-10Lexington, Madison, OrrvilleLexingtonLexington, WoosterLexingtonn/aOrrville [34] Woostern/aClear ForkAshland
2010-11MadisonLexingtonClear ForkLexingtonn/aWest HolmesLexingtonn/aClear ForkAshland
2011-12MadisonLexingtonWoosterLexingtonn/aWest HolmesWoostern/aOrrvilleOrrville
2012-13LexingtonLexingtonAshlandLexingtonn/aWest HolmesWoostern/aMadisonWest Holmes
2013-14Madison, OrrvilleLexingtonClear ForkLexingtonAshlandWest HolmesWoostern/aAshlandWest Holmes
2014-15OrrvilleLexingtonWoosterLexingtonLexingtonWest HolmesWoostern/aClear ForkLexington
2015-16OrrvilleLexingtonClear ForkLexingtonAshlandWest HolmesLexingtonn/aClear ForkOrrville
2016-17LexingtonLexingtonAshlandLexingtonAshlandWest HolmesWoostern/aMount VernonLexington
2017-18AshlandLexingtonMadisonAshlandn/aWoosterLexingtonLexingtonMount VernonMadison
2018-19LexingtonLexingtonMadisonLexingtonAshlandWoosterWoosterLexingtonMount VernonLexington
2019-20WoosterLexingtonAshlandAshlandn/aLexingtonWoosterAshlandn/a - COVIDn/a - COVID
2020-21WoosterLexingtonMadisonWoostern/aWest HolmesWoosterAshlandMount VernonMadison
2021-22WoosterLexingtonAshland, Madison, WoosterWoosterLexingtonWest HolmesWoosterAshlandAshlandLexington
2022-23WoosterLexingtonMadisonWoosterAshlandMansfield, West HolmesWoosterAshlandMadison, Mount Vernon, New PhiladelphiaLexington
2023-24WoosterLexingtonMadison, WoosterWoosterLexingtonWest HolmesWoosterAshlandLexingtonLexington
2024-25

All Sports Championships

2003-04Wooster [35]
2004-05Lexington
2005-06Lexington
2006-07Lexington
2007-08Lexington
2008-09Lexington
2009-10Lexington [36]
2010-11Lexington
2011-12Lexington
2012-13Lexington
2013-14Ashland
2014-15Lexington
2015-16Ashland
2016-17Ashland
2017-18Lexington
2018-19Lexington
2019-2020Wooster[37]
2020-21Ashland
2021-22Wooster
2022-23Wooster
2023-24Lexington
2024-25
See also

Ohio High School Athletic Conferences

External links

Notes and References

  1. "The History of the Ohio Cardinal Conference." Ohio Cardinal Conference http://www.occsports.org/history.html. Accessed June 17, 2008.
  2. McCormick, Michael. "New league provides sense of rivalry." Coshocton Tribune, August 22, 2003
  3. Ogle, Gary. "Glauer leaves OCC." Mansfield News Journal, October 18, 2002.
  4. Kinton, Jami. "Class of 2008: Lexington sending record 24 seniors into college sports." Mansfield News Journal, June 5, 2008. http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080605/SPORTS/806050332. Accessed June 28, 2008.
  5. "Lexington wins OCC all-sports trophy." Ashland Times-Gazette, June 11, 2008. http://www.times-gazette.com/news/article/3925631. Accessed June 28, 2008.
  6. Dorksen, Aaron. "West Holmes' Kaufman explains interest in ECOL." The Wooster Daily Record, February 22, 2008.
  7. Web site: The-Daily-Record.com - Triway declines OCC invitation . 2011-04-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110723084306/http://www.the-daily-record.com/news/article/4729287 . 2011-07-23 . dead .
  8. Web site: King. Steve. Principals Athletic Conference plans its future. . March 17, 2015. March 30, 2015.
  9. Web site: Mount Vernon to join Ohio Cardinal Conference. Mount Vernon News. March 29, 2015. March 30, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208034052/http://mountvernonnews.com/story/2015/03/29/mount-vernon-to-join-ohio-cardinal-conference/. December 8, 2015. dead.
  10. Web site: Clear Fork, Ontario to join MOAC. Morrow County Sentinel . March 10, 2016 . March 11, 2016.
  11. Web site: Conrad. Curt. Ohio Cardinal Conference adds New Philadelphia. Richland Source. April 7, 2020. June 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120451/http://mountvernonnews.com/story/2015/03/29/mount-vernon-to-join-ohio-cardinal-conference/. March 4, 2016. Alt URL
  12. Web site: Ohio Cardinal Conference facing uncertainty after Mount Vernon’s departure. Richland Source . December 28, 2022 . November 19, 2023.
  13. Web site: Phillips. Larry. OCC extends invitation to Dover. Ashland Source . December 13, 2023 . December 14, 2023.
  14. Web site: Conrad . Curt . 2024-02-05 . Checking all the boxes: OCC members excited about addition of Dover . 2024-02-25 . Richland Source . en-US.
  15. Web site: State Champions. occsports.org. en-us. 2018-11-27.
  16. Web site: 2010 State Baseball Tournament Recaps. www.ohsaa.org.
  17. Web site: Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site. 2006-12-31. OHSAA.
  18. Web site: OHSAA Girls Basketball Information. 2014-03-16. OHSAA.
  19. Web site: Occsports.org. occsports.org.
  20. Web site: 2004-05 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores. www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  21. Web site: 2005-06 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores. www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  22. Web site: 2006-07 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores. www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  23. Web site: 2007-08 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores. www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  24. Web site: 2008-09 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores. www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  25. Web site: 2009-10 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores. www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  26. Web site: 2010-11 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores. www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  27. Web site: 2011-12 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores. www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  28. Web site: 2013-2014 OCC Team Champions. occsports.org. en-us. 2018-11-27.
  29. Web site: 2014-2015 OCC Team Champions. occsports.org. en-us. 2018-11-27.
  30. Web site: 2015-2016 OCC Team Champions. occsports.org. en-us. 2018-11-27.
  31. Web site: 2016-2017 OCC Team Champions. occsports.org. en-us. 2018-11-27.
  32. Web site: 2017-2018 OCC Team Champions. occsports.org. en-us. 2018-11-27.
  33. Web site: Kacsandi, Sexton cop top OCC girls basketball honors. The Daily Record.
  34. Web site: Girls Hoops - Championship Edition. Red Rider Sports. Blog.
  35. Web site: Generals win first OCC All-Sports title. The Daily Record.
  36. Web site: In the Ohio Cardinal Conference, Lexington took the. The Daily Record.
  37. Web site: Home Ohio Cardinal Conference. 2021-01-08. www.ohiocardinalconference.org.