Anyone understand the conference & district scheduling requirements? And how they affect the coaches ability to schedule regular season games?

 

I've watched some lopsided matches lately and when the topic comes up regarding scheduling, the discussion usually involves "District Seeding" or "Conference Play".

 

Why are conferences relevant? What value do they provide?

 

I've been told that some schools play no regular season district games and they seem to work through the district tournament play just fine. I'm sure money (either gate or other) is involved somehow ... but the system seems like it needs a scrubbing. Some of these matches are regrettable for both sides.

 

Got to be frustrating for a coach to play a high paced challenging game ... get some insight on what needs to be worked on and then have to play two or three matches that offer no challenge for their kids. Can't be helpful for the opposing team either. Improvement in this area would seem to offer a counter punch to those that argue year round club environment is best for player development.

The conference I can’t speak to because it is a nebulous and confusing thing. The districts is easier. In order to develop the district seeding the teams have to play in order to find the ranking. Does this mean some lopsided matches, sure.

 

We’ve had the discussion before but a game that seems like a waste to a good team may be a needed experience for a weaker team to see how they play.

 

Districts probably have the option to just blind draw (I think I remember reading one of them does that) but that isn’t perfect either. We hear about how the blind draw ruins the state tournament every year because people complain the weaker rural areas get a team when strong teams from Louisville have to battle it out for a place.

The conference as I understand it is for those schools that belong to the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference (NKAC). NKAC is divided into 3 division based on school size. Schools may choose to participate in a higher division if they wish. During the season you play each of the schools in your division of the NKAC and the best record in division play is declared NKAC division champ. I suppose you could choose to not play a division opponent, but that would limit your ability to win the division. That may not matter to some schools. It's probably more important to the smaller schools. The divisions are as follows:

 

Division 1

Boone, Campbell, Conner, Cooper, Cov Cath, Dixie, Notre Dame, Ryle, Scott, Simon Kenton

 

Division 2

Beechwood, Bishop Brossart, Highlands, Holmes, Holy Cross, Newport, NCC, St. Henry

 

Division 3

Bellevue, Calvary, Dayton, Heritage, Ludlow, Villa, Silver Grove

Division 1

Boone, Campbell, Conner, Cooper, Cov Cath, Dixie, Notre Dame, Ryle, Scott, Simon Kenton

 

Division 2

Beechwood, Bishop Brossart, Highlands, Holmes, Holy Cross, Newport, NCC, St. Henry

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Youch ... seven games locked into the Conference Division seems unfortunate. There can be a lot of variability from year to year, but Div 2 has a risk of producing a lot of mismatches for women's soccer. If I had a decent team, I'd be interested in removing the scheduling handcuffs or let me compete in Div 1.

 

There has to be some good reasons to have these conferences. Too many good guys/gals have served as ADs over the years to put this in place unless its serving a purpose. Does it help keep things (aka money) local? Does in ensure that schools don't get black balled from getting scheduled?

Not sure of the reason for the conferences any longer. I think they used to be a bigger deal a couple decades ago. Emphasis tends to be on region for bigger schools and All A tournament for smaller schools. They do give post season awards, all conference, etc. Don't think NKAC even has a website. It might help certain schools with scheduling as mentioned above.

I found their website () ... bylaws, etc. Seems they allowed alternative Divisions for football ... so dare to dream ... I'd propose the following Division realignment for Women's Soccer (maybe to be reassessed every year in promotion/relegation format):

 

Div 1

Dixie, Highlands, NCC, Notre Dame, Ryle, St. Henry, Simon Kenton

 

Div 2

Boone, Campbell, Cooper, Conner, Beechwood, Scott, Bishop Brossart, Holmes, Holy Cross

 

Div 3

Newport, Bellevue, Calvary, Dayton, Heritage, Ludlow, Villa, Silver Grove

 

Having fewer teams in Div 1 gives those teams an opportunity to add a few more OH or competitive Louisville/Lexington matches. Also attempts to add competitive balance across the other divisions.

 

Just an idea ... open to alternatives.

High school soccer needs more games like the Highlands v Summit Country Day game from last night. Two evenly matched teams with a result not determined until the very last second. NKAC needs to put this stuff on the table and find ways to help schools improve their programs by making their games more meaningful ... help it grow!

High school soccer needs more games like the Highlands v Summit Country Day game from last night. Two evenly matched teams with a result not determined until the very last second. NKAC needs to put this stuff on the table and find ways to help schools improve their programs by making their games more meaningful ... help it grow!

 

The thing that you have to remember about scheduling games outside of your area is the cost of travel. I can tell you from the perspective of the Highlands programs this is a very BIG deal and a big reason that many games against downstate competition do not occur. They will get a nice dose of good soccer in a few weeks when they head to Lexington.

The thing that you have to remember about scheduling games outside of your area is the cost of travel. I can tell you from the perspective of the Highlands programs this is a very BIG deal and a big reason that many games against downstate competition do not occur. They will get a nice dose of good soccer in a few weeks when they head to Lexington.

 

That doesn't apply to possible match ups with teams like: Loveland, St. Ursula, Mason, Summit, MND, Indian Hill, Cincy Country Day, Sycamore, Anderson, Ursuline, Lakota East, Lakota West, Oak Hills, ... list goes on. A schedule with these teams instead of drubbing conference and district opponents is what I'm proposing.

Maybe add one more Louisville or Lex team ... home and home so you're only traveling every other year.

That doesn't apply to possible match ups with teams like: Loveland, St. Ursula, Mason, Summit, MND, Indian Hill, Cincy Country Day, Sycamore, Anderson, Ursuline, Lakota East, Lakota West, Oak Hills, ... list goes on. A schedule with these teams instead of drubbing conference and district opponents is what I'm proposing.

Maybe add one more Louisville or Lex team ... home and home so you're only traveling every other year.

 

Traveling to Ohio requires transportation from the school correct? Or has that changed in the last few years where kids can be transported by parents? How many games does Highlands have on their schedule this year that are outside of NKY? They have to play Bellevue, Dayton, Newport and NCC because the district seeds based upon the results of those games. And before you say it, Dayton beat NCC in softball this spring to advance to the regionals.

I found their website () ... bylaws, etc. Seems they allowed alternative Divisions for football ... so dare to dream ... I'd propose the following Division realignment for Women's Soccer (maybe to be reassessed every year in promotion/relegation format):

 

Div 1

Dixie, Highlands, NCC, Notre Dame, Ryle, St. Henry, Simon Kenton

 

Div 2

Boone, Campbell, Cooper, Conner, Beechwood, Scott, Bishop Brossart, Holmes, Holy Cross

 

Div 3

Newport, Bellevue, Calvary, Dayton, Heritage, Ludlow, Villa, Silver Grove

 

Having fewer teams in Div 1 gives those teams an opportunity to add a few more OH or competitive Louisville/Lexington matches. Also attempts to add competitive balance across the other divisions.

 

Just an idea ... open to alternatives.

 

Taking a look at your Division 1 grouping brought the following question. Why did Highlands not schedule Simon Kenton this year?

Traveling to Ohio requires transportation from the school correct? Or has that changed in the last few years where kids can be transported by parents? How many games does Highlands have on their schedule this year that are outside of NKY? They have to play Bellevue, Dayton, Newport and NCC because the district seeds based upon the results of those games. And before you say it, Dayton beat NCC in softball this spring to advance to the regionals.

 

I don’t know whether HHS policy requires bus for Ohio games. Would seem odd that traveling to Anderson would be different than travel to a school like Conner or Boone.

 

Admittedly the district seeding is a hurdle ... but I’ve heard Cov Cath and their district has figured it out. It just takes ADs and coaches that are willing to think big picture.

 

But let’s not make this discussion specific to HHS. I think considering a change would be better for a lot of schools.

Taking a look at your Division 1 grouping brought the following question. Why did Highlands not schedule Simon Kenton this year?

 

I have no idea. But put them in the same conference and take it out of their hands!

I don’t know whether HHS policy requires bus for Ohio games. Would seem odd that traveling to Anderson would be different than travel to a school like Conner or Boone.

 

Admittedly the district seeding is a hurdle ... but I’ve heard Cov Cath and their district has figured it out. It just takes ADs and coaches that are willing to think big picture.

 

But let’s not make this discussion specific to HHS. I think considering a change would be better for a lot of schools.

 

Cov Caths district traditionally did a “random” draw. Not sure that is still the case. Their district is stronger than it used to be.

 

While playing Ohio teams is good experience it shouldn’t make up the bulk of the schedule for a KY team.

Cov Caths district traditionally did a “random” draw. Not sure that is still the case. Their district is stronger than it used to be.

 

While playing Ohio teams is good experience it shouldn’t make up the bulk of the schedule for a KY team.

 

I'm suggesting that a sport specific conference shake up could be interesting ... along with adding 1 or 2 additional Ohio games taking place of the 10-0, 7-0, etc. blowouts that District and Conference scheduling forces you to schedule. Not thinking of making it the bulk of the schedule. Currently teams play a couple Ohio teams ... would like to give them the flexibility to make that three to five.