Most Oak Harbor coaches favored move

By a unanimous vote of the Benton-Carroll-Salem board of education, Oak Harbor athletics have accepted the invitation to become a member of the Northern Buckeye Conference.  

Membership is now pending a vote of the NBC to ratify the admission of Oak Harbor.

“I suspect the principals will meet in the next couple of weeks to officially accept Oak Harbor.  It is really a formality as the six remaining schools voted 6-0 to invite them.  Principals have their hands full with finishing the school year,” said NBC Commissioner Dave Bringman.

“As of now, both Maumee and Oak Harbor would be joining the NBC for the 2023-24 School year.  That could change if the NLL or the SBC would allow one of them to leave a year early. Both Elmwood and Woodmore have made that request in leaving the NBC.”

Oak Harbor officials will confer with its current league and the NBC before announcing when they will begin competing as a member of the NBC.

“This was a difficult decision to make, but ultimately we are doing what is best for our student athletes. The NBC will be a great fit for Oak Harbor and we believe our athletes will be competitive,” B-C-S Board of Education President Jamie Tooman stated: 

Superintendent Guy Parmigian added, “Following months of discussion, a recent vote of our head coaches revealing more than 70 percent in favor of moving to the NBC was a crucial factor in making this recommendation to the board. The level of stability and competition of the NBC really made it highly attractive for our students and community.”

Oak Harbor has been a member of the Sandusky Bay Conference since 1987. Oak Harbor officials have indicated that they will wait until official ratification of their admission into the NBC before providing the written notification to the SBC Executive Committee of their intention to withdraw from the league.

Oak Harbor Athletic Director Daniel Hoover indicated that he always “respected and valued” the friendships and competition Oak Harbor has enjoyed over the years as a member of the SBC.  

Hoover added: “I look forward to continuing competing with SBC schools as non-league opponents as we journey into a new chapter of Oak Harbor Athletics as a member of the NBC.”

Oak Harbor High School Principal Cheryl Schell stated: “We have valued the history, competition and camaraderie of our SBC schools.  We feel the stability the NBC will provide us will benefit our Rockets, their families and this community moving forward.”

Superintendent Parmigian concluded, “We look forward to a smooth transition, and to many years of success and sportsmanship in the NBC as we work to develop our young people through our athletic programs.”

League’s coaches respond

Oak Harbor and Maumee will replace Woodmore and Elmwood. 

“The Northern Buckeye Conference is very pleased with Oak Harbor’s acceptance to join the league,” said Bringman. “The NBC principals were proactive in sending invitations to Maumee and Oak Harbor when it appeared that Elmwood and then Woodmore were going to leave.  

“School officials make difficult decisions and ultimately have to decide on what is best for their student-athletes.  All current NBC principals have wished Woodmore and Elmwood nothing but good luck in their new leagues and fully understand their votes to leave.  

“They also welcome Maumee and Oak Harbor as they join the NBC.  The new league should be one of the more balanced leagues based on enrollment figures.”

Eastwood Athletic Director Jeff Hill added, “While we have enjoyed our competitions with current NBC members Elmwood and Woodmore, we are excited to have two quality schools such as Maumee and Oak Harbor wanting to be members of our league.  They will bring great competition and make our league a very solid league — very exciting time for the Northern Buckeye Conference. 

NBC coaches are excited about what Oak Harbor sports teams will bring to the table.

“The addition of Oak Harbor will add even more strong girls and boys track and field programs to the NBC, although Elmwood and Woodmore have great traditions as well,” Genoa coach Luke Hodulik said. “Oak Harbor’s teams are well-coached and have a great tradition. The NBC is a very competitive track and field conference.”

Eastwood track coach Brian Sabo added, “I think it is a great fit for our conference considering the circumstances.  While we will miss Elmwood and Woodmore coaches, the Oak Harbor and Maumee coaches are passionate about our sport and are great people.”

Sabo’s wife, Nicole Sabo, the Eastwood girls track coach, added, “I believe Oak Harbor is a great addition to our conference especially in the sport of track and field.  Their coaches are passionate about the sport and they are very competitive as both the boys and girls teams have been very successful.  This will make our conference stronger and we are looking forward to both Oak Harbor and Maumee joining the Northern Buckeye Conference.”

Nick Schmeltz, who has turned around the Eastwood girls basketball program in recent years, notes the success Oak Harbor has had in certain sports along with the two schools’ facilities.

“I think it is a great addition to our conference. Oak Harbor has proven themselves of stability and has consistently churned out good teams year after year in all sports. They have a nice facility and we have been competing against them for many years in all sports here at Eastwood,” Schmeltz said.

“Maumee brings in some excitement and potential for growth. I believe they have great upside and like Oak Harbor will be a solid addition. They are a school with a turf field which adds to Lake and Rossford’s turf facilities.

“From a girls basketball perspective, I am sad to see Woodmore and Elmwood go. They have been top contenders in the conference the last handful of years. We may still try to play them in non-conference games but sometimes common dates don’t always work out.”