Ohio Cardinal Conference

Last updated
Ohio Cardinal Conference
OCC Logo.png
Classification OHSAA Divisions I-IV
Founded2003
Sports fielded
  • 19
RegionFlag of Ohio.svg  Ohio
Official 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.

Contents

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]

Ohio Cardinal Conference

Members [1]

The current member schools of the OCC. OhioCardinalConferenceMap2016.png
The current member schools of the OCC.
SchoolNicknameLocationEnrollment (CB/FB 2022)State FB Region (2022)ColorsMiddle school(s)Tenure
Ashland Arrows Ashland 3782:6Orange, Black
  		Ashland MS2003-
Lexington Minutemen Lexington 3013:10Purple, Gold
  		Lexington JHS2003-
Madison Comprehensive Rams Madison Twp. 3443:10Green, White
  		Madison JHS2003-
Mansfield Tygers Mansfield 3433:10Orange, Brown
  		Mansfield MS2003-
New Philadelphia Quakers New Philadelphia 3403:9Red, Black
  		Welty MS2022-
West Holmes Knights Millersburg 2324:14Blue, Red, White
   		West Holmes MS2003-
Wooster Generals Wooster 4262:7Blue, Gold
  		Edgewood MS2003-

Former members

SchoolNicknameLocationColorsMiddle school(s)Tenure
Clear Fork Colts Bellville Green, Black, White
   		Clear Fork MS2004-2017
Orrville Red Riders Orrville Red, White, Black
   		Orrville MS2003-2016
Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets Mount Vernon Orange, Black
  		Mount Vernon MS2016-2024

Future members

SchoolNicknameLocationColorsMiddle school(s)Tenure
Dover Crimson Tornadoes Dover Crimson 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' Tennis

Boys' Tennis

Girls' Cross Country

Boys' Cross Country

2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012

2004, 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
2003-04WoosterWoosterLexingtonAshlandWooster, MansfieldWest HolmesWoosterbegan in 2017-18AshlandWoosterLexington
2004-05WoosterWoosterLexingtonAshlandMansfield [20] WoosterWoostern/aLexington, MadisonAshlandLexington
2005-06Madison, OrrvilleLexingtonAshland, WoosterAshland, WoosterMansfield [21] AshlandWoostern/aMadisonLexingtonLexington
2006-07AshlandWoosterWoosterLexingtonMansfield [22] West HolmesWoostern/aAshlandLexingtonWooster
2007-08AshlandLexingtonWoosterLexingtonLexington, Mansfield [23] West HolmesWoostern/aWoosterLexingtonLexington
2008-09LexingtonLexingtonLexingtonAshlandMadison [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 HolmesWoosterLexingtonn/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 CountrySoccerTennisGolfBasketballSwimmingBowlingSoftballTrack & 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
2013-14 [28] Madison, OrrvilleLexingtonClear ForkLexingtonAshlandWest HolmesWoostern/aAshlandWest Holmes
2014-15 [29] OrrvilleLexingtonWoosterLexingtonLexingtonWest HolmesWoostern/aClear ForkLexington
2015-16 [30] OrrvilleLexingtonClear ForkLexingtonAshlandWest HolmesLexingtonn/aClear ForkOrrville
2016-17 [31] LexingtonLexingtonAshlandLexingtonAshlandWest HolmesWoostern/aMount VernonLexington
2017-18 [32] AshlandLexingtonMadisonAshlandn/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 [28]
2014-15Lexington [29]
2015-16Ashland [30]
2016-17Ashland [31]
2017-18Lexington [32]
2018-19Lexington
2019-2020Wooster [37]
2020-21Ashland
2021-22Wooster
2022-23Wooster
2023-24Lexington
2024-25

See also

Ohio High School Athletic Conferences

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "The History of the Ohio Cardinal Conference." Ohio Cardinal Conference http://www.occsports.org/history.html. Accessed June 17, 2008.
  2. 1 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. ↑ "The-Daily-Record.com - Triway declines OCC invitation". Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  8. ↑ King, Steve (March 17, 2015). "Principals Athletic Conference plans its future". The Suburbanite . Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Mount Vernon to join Ohio Cardinal Conference". Mount Vernon News. March 29, 2015. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Clear Fork, Ontario to join MOAC". Morrow County Sentinel. March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  11. ↑ Conrad, Curt (April 7, 2020). "Ohio Cardinal Conference adds New Philadelphia". Richland Source. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2020. Alt URL
  12. ↑ "Ohio Cardinal Conference facing uncertainty after Mount Vernon's departure". Richland Source. December 28, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  13. ↑ Phillips, Larry (December 13, 2023). "OCC extends invitation to Dover". Ashland Source. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  14. ↑ Conrad, Curt (2024-02-05). "Checking all the boxes: OCC members excited about addition of Dover". Richland Source. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  15. ↑ "State Champions". occsports.org. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  16. ↑ "2010 State Baseball Tournament Recaps". www.ohsaa.org.
  17. ↑ OHSAA. "Ohio High School Athletic Association Web site" . Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  18. ↑ OHSAA. "OHSAA Girls Basketball Information" . Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  19. 1 2 "Occsports.org". occsports.org.
  20. ↑ "2004-05 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores". www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  21. ↑ "2005-06 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores". www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  22. ↑ "2006-07 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores". www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  23. ↑ "2007-08 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores". www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  24. ↑ "2008-09 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores". www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  25. ↑ "2009-10 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores". www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  26. ↑ "2010-11 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores". www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  27. ↑ "2011-12 Ohio Cardinal Conference Basketball Scores". www.crawfordcountybasketball.com.
  28. 1 2 3 "2013-2014 OCC Team Champions". occsports.org. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  29. 1 2 3 "2014-2015 OCC Team Champions". occsports.org. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  30. 1 2 3 "2015-2016 OCC Team Champions". occsports.org. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  31. 1 2 3 "2016-2017 OCC Team Champions". occsports.org. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  32. 1 2 3 "2017-2018 OCC Team Champions". occsports.org. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  33. ↑ "Kacsandi, Sexton cop top OCC girls basketball honors". The Daily Record.
  34. ↑ Blog, Red Rider Sports. "Girls Hoops - Championship Edition".
  35. ↑ "Generals win first OCC All-Sports title". The Daily Record.
  36. ↑ "In the Ohio Cardinal Conference, Lexington took the". The Daily Record.
  37. ↑ "Home | Ohio Cardinal Conference". www.ohiocardinalconference.org. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
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