Sandusky Bay Conference

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The Sandusky Bay Conference is a high school athletic conference in the Sandusky Bay area of north central Ohio. It is affiliated with the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Contents

Members

The SBC has 22 full members schools located within Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Seneca counties. The schools range in size from Division 3 to Division 7. The reasonably short travel distances and limited range of sizes promotes tight competition throughout all sanctioned sports and a long history of membership with several rivalries. Several member schools have won state championships.

The overall league lineup and divisional breakdown beginning in 2023-24. SanduskyBayConf2017Expansion.png
The overall league lineup and divisional breakdown beginning in 2023-24.
The football divisional breakdown beginning in 2023-24. SanduskyBayConf2023ExpansionFootballMap.png
The football divisional breakdown beginning in 2023-24.

Member schools

DivisionSchoolNicknameLocationEnrollment (CB/FB 2023)State Region (FB 2023)ColorsTenure
Football (FB)Other Sports
 Lake  Lake  Clyde Fliers Clyde 2843:10Blue, Gold
  
1949-
 Lake  Lake  Columbian Tornadoes Tiffin 3403:10Blue, Gold
  
2017-
 Lake  Lake  Norwalk Truckers Norwalk 3633:10Blue, Gold
  
2017-
 Lake  Lake  Perkins Pirates Perkins Township 2684:14Black, White
  
1972-
 Lake  Lake  Sandusky Blue Streaks Sandusky 3463:10Blue, White
  
2017-
 Bay  Lake  Bellevue Redmen Bellevue 2384:14Red, White
  
2017-
 Bay  Bay  Edison Chargers Milan 1695:18Blue, Orange
  
1986-
 Bay  Bay  Huron Tigers Huron 1595:18Red, Gray
  
1968-
 Bay  Bay  Port Clinton Redskins Port Clinton 2005:18Red, White
  
1948-1949, 1980-
 Bay  Bay  Vermilion Sailors Vermilion 2354:14Purple & Vegas Gold
  
2016-
 River  Bay  Margaretta Polar Bears Castalia 1436:22Green, White
  
1963-
 River  Bay  Willard Crimson Flashes Willard 1995:18Crimson, White
  
2017-
 River  River  Calvert Senecas Tiffin 587:26Royal Blue, White
  
1958-1966, 1972-1986, 2016-
 River  River  Gibsonburg Golden Bears Gibsonburg 1097:26Orange, Black
  
1948-1959, 1963-1972, 2018-
 River  River  Hopewell-Loudon Chieftains Bascom 1117:26Scarlet, Gray
  
2019-
 River  River  Lakota Raiders Kansas 1416:22Navy Blue, White
  
1960-1972, 2016-
 River  River  Woodmore Wildcats Elmore 1196:22Navy, Gold
  
2023-
 None  River  Danbury Lakers Lakeside Blue, White
  
1948-1957, 2018-
 None  River  New Riegel Blue Jackets New Riegel Navy Blue, Vegas Gold
  
2016-
 None  River  Old Fort Stockaders Old Fort Brown, Gold
  
2016-
 None  River  St. Joseph (SJCC) Crimson Streaks Fremont 577:26Crimson, Gray
  
1948-1986, 2016-
 None  River  St. Mary (SMCC) Panthers Sandusky Navy Blue, Vegas Gold
  
1950-2014, 2016-

Future members

DivisionSchoolNicknameLocationEnrollment (CB/FB 2023)State Region (FB 2023)ColorsTenure
Football (FB)Other Sports
 River  River  Northwood Rangers Northwood 2535:18Blue, Gold
  
2025-

Former members

Former members who returned to the SBC with the 2016 and 2018 expansions are outlined in those sections.

SchoolNicknameLocationColorsTenureLeft forCurrently in
Carey Blue Devils Carey Blue, White
  
1958-1963 NCC N10
Elmore Bulldogs Elmore Black, Gold, White
   
1948-1958Seaway ConferenceConsolidated into Woodmore HS, now a member of the SBC
Genoa Comets Genoa Maroon, Gray
  
1948-1956 NLL NBC
Mohawk Warriors Sycamore Red, Black
  
1960-1962 NCC N10
Oak Harbor Rockets Oak Harbor Green, Red
  
1948-1972, 1986-2023 SLL, NBC NBC
St. Wendelin Mohawks Fostoria Black, Gold
  
1968-1972, 2016-2017 Lakeshore Conference, eventually the MAL Closed in June 2017
Shelby Whippets Shelby Red, Gray
  
2017-2018 (football only, Fall 2018) MOAC MOAC

Athletic competition

The conference was established in 1948 and offers competition in the following sports:

League history

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

2010s

In July 2017, North Union announced they would be leaving the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference to join the Central Buckeye Conference. This prompted the MOAC to invite Shelby as a replacement, which they accepted. The Whippets would spend only one year in the SBC. [6]

2020s

On May 26, 2021, the school board at Oak Harbor announced they would be leaving the SBC and accepting the Northern Buckeye Conference's invitation to replace Woodmore. [10]
On July 19, 2021, St. Mary CC announced that they would be playing football in the Northern 8 Football Conference for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, with the intention to return to 11-man football at some point. [11]

Potential split

On February 11, 2025, it was reported that the school boards at ten of the Lake and Bay division schools (Clyde, Columbian, Norwalk, Perkins, and Sandusky of the Lake along with Bay members Bellevue, Edison, Huron, Port Clinton, and Vermilion) were going to vote to withdraw from the SBC and begin their own league with two divisions for the convenience of scheduling. [14] This conference could begin play for the 2026-2027 school year and potentially take the SBC name with them if the River Division splits into divisions itself.

2010s expansions

2016

The first wave of expansion will begin with the 2016-17 school year and will consist of two divisions that will divide schools by size. The larger schools will make up the Bay Division, and the smaller schools will make up the River Division. The divisional lineup will vary depending on the sport, with Margaretta playing in the River Division for football & wrestling, and in the Bay Division for all other sports. New Riegel & Old Fort do not have football. The two divisions will operate more-or-less as two separate leagues under a single parent umbrella and will crown two separate champions in each sport. There will be no forced crossovers in football and inter-divisional games will not count toward conference records. [15]

2017

On March 16, 2016, both Clyde principal William J. Webb and NOL president Nate Artino (Bellevue principal) announced that six of the NOL schools were invited to join the SBC for the 2017-18 school year. Mr. Webb declined to disclose details on divisional breakdowns until all six school boards had approved the league switch. [16]

On March 17, 2016, Norwalk Director of Student Activities Josh Schlotterer advised the divisional breakdown would be based on enrollment and some schools would slide between divisions for football and all other sports as there are three non-football members. [17]

2018

On March 16, 2017, SBC Executive Secretary/Treasurer Gregg Hedden announced that Danbury Local Schools would be joining the conference, effective in 2018, adding that Danbury would be a member of the River Division. [18]

On March 20, SBC Executive Secretary/Treasurer Gregg Hedden announced that Gibsonburg Local Schools would be joining the River Division, effective 2018. Their school board voted unanimously to join at the fall of 2018 sports season. Gibsonburg leaves the Toledo Athletic Area Conference. This adds Gibsonburg as the 9th Member of the River Division. [19]

After a school board meeting in August 2017, Hopewell-Loudon agreed to join the River Division for the 2019-2020 school year. [20]

League Timeline

Sandusky Bay Conference

Championships

Championships

__Year__Football [21] Boys Basketball [22] Baseball [23] Volleyball [24] Girls Basketball [25] Softball [26]
1948-49Port ClintonGibsonburg, Port Clinton, St. Joseph CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1949-50Oak Harbor, St. JosephElmoreNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1950-51Oak HarborSt. Joseph CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1951-52St. Mary CCSt. Joseph CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1952-53St. Joseph CCSt. Mary CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1953-54St. Mary CCSt. Joseph CC, St. Mary CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1954-55GibsonburgSt. Joseph CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1955-56St. Joseph, St. MarySt. Joseph CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1956-57St. Joseph CCSt. Joseph CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1957-58St. Mary CCSt. Joseph CCClydeNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1958-59GibsonburgOak HarborTiffin CalvertNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1959-60St. Joe, Tiffin CalvertSt. Joseph CCTiffin CalvertNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1960-61St. Joseph CCSt. Joseph CCTiffin CalvertNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1961-62Tiffin CalvertMohawkSt. Joseph CC, Tiffin CalvertNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1962-63St. Joseph CCClydeSt. Joseph CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1963-64St. Joseph CCSt. Joseph CCClydeNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1964-65St. Joseph CCMargarettaTiffin CalvertNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1965-66Tiffin CalvertSt. Mary CCGibsonburg, St. Mary CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1966-67St. Mary CCGibsonburg, Port Clinton, St. JosephSt. Mary CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1967-68St. Joseph CCClydeNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1968-69St. Mary CCSt. Mary CCClyde, St. Mary CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1969-70HuronSt. Mary CCMargarettaNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1970-71HuronSt. Joseph CCGibsonburgNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1971-72St. Joseph CCHuronGibsonburg, HuronNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1972-73ClydeHuronSt. Joseph CCNo ChampionNo ChampionNo Champion
1973-74Clyde, HuronSt. Mary CCMargaretta, Perkins, St. Joe, St. MaryHuronNo ChampionNo Champion
1974-75Clyde, St. Joseph CCTiffin CalvertMargarettaHuronPerkins, St. MaryNo Champion
1975-76PerkinsSt. Mary CCSt. Mary CCClydePerkinsNo Champion
1976-77HuronPerkins, Tiffin CalvertHuronClydeClydeNo Champion
1977-78Tiffin CalvertHuronMargarettaClydeClydeNo Champion
1978-79Tiffin CalvertPerkinsClydeClydeHuronNo Champion
1979-80Tiffin CalvertSt. Mary CCTiffin CalvertTiffin CalvertHuronNo Champion
1980-81Huron, Tiffin CalvertPort ClintonSt. Joseph CCClydeHuronNo Champion
1981-82Huron, Tiffin CalvertHuronHuron, Port Clinton, St. MaryClyde, Tiffin CalvertHuronNo Champion
1982-83PerkinsHuronTiffin CalvertClydeHuronMargaretta, St. Joseph
1983-84Huron, MargarettaPerkinsPerkins, Port Clinton, St. MaryClydePerkins, St. MaryMargaretta
1984-85HuronPort ClintonMargarettaClydeHuronMargaretta, Tiffin Calvert
1985-86MargarettaPort ClintonClyde, Margaretta, Port ClintonClyde, PerkinsMargaretta, PerkinsTiffin Calvert
1986-87MargarettaOak Harbor, PerkinsHuron, Port ClintonClydeMargarettaMargaretta
1987-88HuronHuronSt. Mary CCMargarettaMargarettaMargaretta
1988-89PerkinsHuronMargarettaOak HarborMargaretta, Oak HarborMargaretta
1989-90St. Mary CCHuron, Port ClintonMargaretta, St. Mary CCOak HarborOak HarborMargaretta
1990-91Oak Harbor, St. Mary CCPort ClintonSt. Mary CCClydeMargarettaEdison
1991-92Margaretta, Oak HarborHuron, Port ClintonEdison, Oak HarborHuronEdison, MargarettaEdison, Margaretta
1992-93Clyde, St. Mary CCPort ClintonMargarettaClydeMargarettaMargaretta
1993-94ClydeClydeClyde, St. Mary CCEdisonMargarettaEdison
1994-95ClydeClyde, PerkinsHuron, St. Mary CCClydeMargarettaEdison, Clyde, Oak Harbor
1995-96Clyde, Margaretta, Oak HarborPort ClintonSt. Mary CCClydeClydeOak Harbor, St. Mary CC
1996-97MargarettaHuronPerkinsHuronHuronOak Harbor
1997-98Clyde, MargarettaHuronPerkinsMargarettaClydeClyde
1998-99HuronPerkinsPerkinsMargarettaMargarettaOak Harbor
1999-00PerkinsOak HarborClydeHuronHuronClyde
2000-01PerkinsOak HarborPerkinsHuronClyde, MargarettaClyde
2001-02Huron, MargarettaPort Clinton, St. Mary CCPerkinsHuronMargaretta, PerkinsClyde, Oak Harbor
2002-03Huron, Oak HarborPort ClintonPerkinsHuronOak HarborClyde
2003-04HuronMargarettaPerkinsHuronOak HarborClyde
2004-05HuronHuronPort ClintonHuronMargarettaClyde
2005-06Clyde, HuronHuronPerkinsHuronMargarettaPerkins
2006-07Oak HarborPerkinsPerkinsHuronPerkinsPerkins
2007-08ClydeClydePerkinsHuronPerkinsClyde, Perkins
2008-09ClydeEdisonPerkinsHuronMargarettaOak Harbor
2009-10Clyde, PerkinsPort ClintonPerkinsHuronPerkinsPerkins
2010-11ClydeEdisonPerkinsEdison, Huron, MargarettaClydePerkins
2011-12ClydePerkinsOak HarborEdisonClydeEdison
2012-13PerkinsPerkinsPerkinsHuronClydePerkins
2013-14PerkinsPerkinsPerkinsHuronClydeEdison
2014-15HuronHuronEdison, HuronHuronPort ClintonPerkins
2015-16Clyde, EdisonEdisonHuronEdison, HuronOak HarborEdison

Championships - Multi-division Era

Divisional Championships - Fall Sports

__Year__DivisionCross C

(Boys)

Cross C

(Girls)

FootballGolf

(Boys)

Golf

(Girls)

Soccer

(Boys)

Soccer

(Girls)

Tennis

(Girls)

Volleyball
2016-17BayEdisonEdisonClyde, Edison, Port ClintonHuronEdisonOak HarborOak HarborClydeHuron
RiverOld FortSt. Mary CCTiffin CalvertNew RiegelOld Fort
2017-18LakeShelbyBellevueSanduskyClydeShelbyVermilionNorwalkClydeNorwalk
BayEdisonEdisonShelbyVermillionEdisonEdisonEdisonWillardOak Harbor
RiverLakotaSt. Mary CCCalvertLakotaCalvert, New Riegel
2018-19LakeNorwalkColumbianColumbian, ClydeBellevueNorwalkNorwalkBellevue
BayOak HarborHuronWillard
RiverGibsonburg
2019-20LakeNorwalkColumbianColumbian, NorwalkNorwalkBellevueNorwalkNorwalkNorwalkBellevue, Norwalk
BayHuronEdisonOak Harbor
RiverHopewell-LoudonHopewell-LoudonGibsonburg
2020-21LakeColumbian [27] Columbian [28] BellevueBellevue [29]
BayHuron [30] Edison [30] Huron [31] Huron [29]
RiverNew Riegel [32] Gibsonburg [33] Hopewell-LoudonHopewell-Loudon [29]

Divisional Championships - Winter Sports

__Year__DivisionBasketball

(Boys)

Basketball

(Girls)

Bowling

(Boys)

Bowling

(Girls)

Swimming

(Boys)

Swimming

(Girls)

Wrestling
2016-17BayHuron, Perkins, VermilionClydePerkinsVermilionPerkinsOak HarborEdison
RiverOld FortSt. Joseph CC, Old FortSt. Mary CC
2017-18LakeSanduskyBellevuePerkinsPerkinsPerkinsPerkinsPerkins
BayVermilionWillardOak HarborOak HarborEdison
RiverNew Riegel, Old FortSt. Joseph CCSt. Mary CC
2018-19LakeNorwalkBellevuePerkins
BayVermilion, WillardMargarettaHuron/DiveEdison
RiverOld Fort, St. Mary CCOld Fort, St. Mary CCGibsonburg
2019-20LakeSanduskyBellevuePerkins
BayOak Harbor, WillardHuron/Dive
RiverOld Fort

Divisional Championships - Spring Sports

__Year__DivisionBaseballSoftballTennis

(Boys)

Track & Field

(Boys)

Track & Field

(Girls)

2016-17BayVermilionOak HarborClydePerkinsOak Harbor
RiverOld FortSt. Joseph CCSt. Joseph CC
2017-18LakeBellevue, ClydeBellevueClydePerkinsShelby
BayVermilionEdisonOak Harbor
RiverLakotaCalvertSt. Joseph CC
2018-19LakeBellevue, NorwalkClydeColumbianPerkins
BayVermilionOak HarborOak Harbor
RiverSt. Joeseph CCLakota

References

  1. Panthers leading new athletic league February 1, 2013. sanduskycentralcatholic.org Archived 2013-04-15 at archive.today
  2. http://www.sanduskyregister.com/sports/football/6968216 Sandusky Bay Conference expansion finalized
  3. Centers, Joe (March 16, 2016). "NOL to merge with Sandusky Bay Conference". Norwalk Reflector. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  4. Northern Ohio League [@NOhioLeague] (March 16, 2016). "Northern Ohio League press release regarding the 2017-18 school year and beyond" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  5. McCray, Vanessa (April 21, 2017). "St. Wendelin Catholic High School to close in June". Toledo Blade . Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  6. Schock, Brittany (July 25, 2017). "Shelby moving to the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference". Richland Source. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  7. Cottos, Scott (August 30, 2017). "Prep Sports: Hopewell-Loudon board accepts invite to SBC". Findlay Courier. Archived from the original on November 4, 2017. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  8. "Hopewell-Loudon To Leave Blanchard Valley Conference For Sandusky Bay Conference – Stateline Sports Network". August 17, 2017.
  9. Junga, Steve (May 21, 2021). "Woodmore to exit NBC, join SBC". Toledo Blade . Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  10. Junga, Steve (May 26, 2021). "Oak Harbor to accept invitation to join NBC". Toledo Blade . Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  11. Kollars, Brian (July 19, 2021). "Northern 8 announces addition of St. Mary CC football". Toledo Blade . Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  12. News-Messenger Report (October 20, 2023). "Prioritizing safety, SJCC will move to 8-man football in 2024". Fremont News-Messenger. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  13. Junga, Steve (January 17, 2024). "Northwood approved to join Sandusky Bay Conference". Toledo Blade . Retrieved January 17, 2024.
  14. Kollars, Brian (February 11, 2025). "Sandusky first to approve SBC split". Sandusky Register. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
  15. "SBC announces plan for major expansion | USA TODAY High School Sports". December 11, 2014.
  16. McGowan, Rich (March 16, 2016). "SBC invites 6 schools from NOL". Fremont News Messenger. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  17. Staff, Norwalk Reflector (March 17, 2016). "SBC accepts remaining NOL schools for merger". Norwalk Reflector. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  18. Behm, Jon. "Sandusky Bay Conference expands". The Morning Journal. Archived from the original on March 23, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  19. Behm, Jon (December 27, 2000). "High school sports: Sandusky Bay Conference to add Gibsonburg". The Morning Journal. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  20. Behm, Jon. "Sandusky Bay Conference expands".
  21. "Margaretta High School Athletic Department". Archived from the original on June 11, 2013.
  22. "Margaretta High School Athletic Department". Archived from the original on June 11, 2013.
  23. "Margaretta High School Athletic Department". Archived from the original on June 11, 2013.
  24. "Margaretta High School Athletic Department". Archived from the original on June 11, 2013.
  25. "Margaretta High School Athletic Department". Archived from the original on June 11, 2013.
  26. "Margaretta High School Athletic Department". Archived from the original on June 11, 2013.
  27. "Sandusky Bay Conf. Championship Meet" (PDF). baumspage.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  28. "Sandusky Bay Conf. Championship Meet" (PDF). baumspage.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  29. 1 2 3 "SBC Champions Page – Section B Sports" . Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Huron Cross County Boys Win SBC Bay Division Meet | Huron Insider". October 17, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  31. "Huron Football Advances to Playoffs | Huron Insider". October 3, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  32. "Sandusky Bay Conf. Championship Meet" (PDF). baumspage.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  33. "Sandusky Bay Conf. Championship Meet" (PDF). baumspage.com. Retrieved August 3, 2023.