The turmoil and changes in the wind with high school conference affiliation realignment continue to accelerate, instead of diminish. West Aurora may have been caught up in the maelstrom. Solutions and calm winds are the answer.
The DuPage Valley Conference has been reduced to five schools from its nine by the debut of the eight-school DuKane Conference in the Fall semester. The Interstate Eight Conference will find a new system in the 2019-2020 school year after losing 10 schools and gaining six new schools, all now with the Northern Illinois Big 12, including Kaneland High School for one year, a trial. As a result, the NIB12, a 10-team affiliation, no longer will exist after the 2018-2019 school year. That change is how Kaneland found a temporary home. Yorkville and DeKalb would be left without a conference, so Yorkville made application to the 10-team Southwest Prairie Conference, which includes four Plainfield schools, two Oswego schools, two Joliet schools, Romeoville, and Minooka.
West Aurora found itself as a couple with Yorkville. The Suburban Prairie accepted Yorkville and West Aurora, however, the respective school boards must give their approvals. West Aurora returned to the Upstate Eight Conference four years ago after moving to the DuPage Valley in 1997.
The West Aurora School Board will meet Monday and the Yorkville School Board will meet August 20. West Aurora will encounter a three-step process to consider the invitation by the Suburban Prairie.
More than competition, the school boards will review financial considerations, staff member implications, forging of new alliances, the welfare of the athletes and the other students, and other unintended consequences.
Yorkville is in a much more urgent situation. Following 2019 it would be without a conference which makes the process of scheduling games much more difficult, especially in football.
The Upstate Eight will be 10 teams in 2018-2019 after accepting Glenbard South.
West Aurora must ask if the move from the Upstate to the Suburban Prairie is a lateral move? Is it wise? What are the benefits and what are the drawbacks?
The serious debate must be exhaustive, thorough. There does appear to be a general mad dash by schools to improve their lots in conference life. How much does winning have to do with changes? Fear of growing enrollments often determine changes.
Best wishes to the West Aurora School Board, especially in making a reason, determined, decision, which will affect student-athletes, fans, and future generations. One would like to think a widespread set of facts would help make the Board’s decision evident, and not a knee-jerk, short-sighted view. There is no easy answer.