An SOC/OVC merger would produce some dandies

[Omega]

The Chef finds it interesting Piketon would leave the SOC to join SVC --.

Knocking the cobwebs from the memory of my feeble mind, Piketon's move from the SOC to the SVC was motivated by finding a more equal level of competition,especially in football.

To put it politely, the Red Streaks were so bad on the gridiron they were the homecoming opponent for every away game.

In fairness to Piketon, they were an infant program in those days, and simply did not have the resources to be competitive against the then powerhouses in the SOC which were East, West, Notre Dame, New Boston and Waverly.

The new SVC was attractive at that time as the rural Ross County schools were just coming coming off of a round of consolidation of very small township schools, with the new schools also having infant football programs.

Oddly enough the Piketon community never really did expereince much growth during the A-Plant boom of the 50's. When Earl Wilson and the Streaks finally beat Waverly in 1966(?), the good folks of Piketon wanted to reclaim the Court House that was stolen from them by the town that Emmit built.

[chef_piketon]

Omega - your explanation makes as much sense as The Chef has heard but the Ross Co schools didn't join until several years after SVCs start. After talking to people the SOC was a juggernaut in football during those days with the schools you mentioned that were focused around the steel mills of southern Ohio. The APlant effect was mainly in mid to late 50s for Piketon in basketball.

[Omega]

Omega - your explanation makes sense.

Thank you for your kind response and I do enjoy your unique way with words
and phrases.

I admit I am fuzzy on the history of the SVC but as to the quality of SOC
football during the 50's and 60's, I remember it, played in it, and it was
honestly not a good product. Small players (150 lb lines), lack of speed, lack
of conditioning. However the intensity of play was tough and hard nosed.
Probably the first quality program would have been Notre Dame
in the mid and late 60's under Ed Miller, who also built the Burg juggernaut in the
70's that continues today.

Funny how time and situations change. Piketon athletics are in ascension while
Waverly's programs seem headed for extended decline. Of course all high school
athletics as we know them are in troublle financialy as the state and localities
struggle with budgets and debt due to the economy.

[hornetnut]

Very surprised that Chesapeake, Coal Grove and South Point are former members of SOC. I did notice that all had left by 1954 along with Wheelersburg which by the way was the same the year the OVC was born. I think that a merger would make sense. You could have a lot of fun organizing three divisions. Even more fun if Ironton and Portsmouth were brought in at the same time. Wow! Southern Ohio Valley Conference. SOVC. I like the sound of it.

[chef_piketon]

Omega: The Chef believes we'll see the proof in the pudding with all the cutbacks to budgets and the steady decline in high school sports for all schools. It's sad because for many kids the structure, team work, and camaraderie of team sports are such life lessons that will be hard to put a cost figure on. The Village here in Piketon is great place to live but not a lot to do outside of sports especially when the kids don't have any $. So far here at Piketon we seem to be weathering the storm but it seems to be getting tougher for everyone.