Citing a diminishing enrollment (low 700s), the Holmes High School administration petitioned the Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors Association for re-alignment to NKAC Division II for the 2010-2011 season.

 

Their motion was upheld by the majority and as a result the Bulldogs will join Brossart, NCC, Lloyd Memorial, Highlands, St. Henry, Newport, and Holy Cross in competing for the NKAC Division II Conference Title starting next year.

 

Holmes has competed at the NKAC Division I level since the establishment of the three division conference alignment established back in 1990.

They will lose a lot of talent after this year, this won't look bad next season.

Wow! They have talent coming up the ranks so don't kid yourself.

My concern would be that year in and year out, it might not be how many they have, but who they have.

With that being said, there must be some concern on the part of the Holmes administration of their ability to compete on an upcoming annual basis with the remaining Division I big schools, and drop into what has to be perceived as a softer conference competition situation. I'm sure that Holmes will continue to schedule the top big school teams in the 9th Region.

 

It just seems like strange timing for the defending State Champs and present top ranked team in NoKy to make a move of this magnitude.

 

For better or worse, we (Brossart) will welcome the Bulldogs (back) to our schedule, and accept the challenge of competing with them on an annual basis.

Some of the D2 schools already play Holmes during the regular season. Holmes will now need to look at scheduling some of the D1 schools in this area and how they weigh against some the down state games that they play to get them ready for the postseason.

 

Strictly from a student population perspective D2 is where they belong. However, from a tradition and goal of winning state perspective they will always be thought of as a big school in this area.

While basketball-wise they probably could remain Division I ad infinitum, this move is probably being made in the best interest of their other sports teams who also have to compete at the DI level, and are better suited for DII competition.

While basketball-wise they probably could remain Division I ad infinitum, this move is probably being made in the best interest of their other sports teams who also have to compete at the DI level, and are better suited for DII competition.

 

I was not even aware that your schedules were determined by what division you played in. There doesn't seem to be anyone making conference games more important than any others. No conference championships or conference stats or standings posted, so what's the big deal to Holmes on what division they're playing in?

I was not even aware that your schedules were determined by what division you played in. There doesn't seem to be anyone making conference games more important than any others. No conference championships or conference stats or standings posted, so what's the big deal to Holmes on what division they're playing in?

 

My sentiments exactly.

 

I don't think this is a big deal at all, other than the fact that Holmes' enrollment is getting smaller.

It seems to me anymore the only teams that pay attention to the NKAC conferences are the DIII schools, its gives them something to play for. In basketball I don't see this changing much for the Bulldogs.

But a difference is that Holmes will be required to schedule all of the D II teams, some of whom may not currently be on their schedule.

Their motion was upheld by the majority and as a result the Bulldogs will join Brossart, NCC, Lloyd Memorial, Highlands, St. Henry, Newport, and Holy Cross in competing for the NKAC Division II Conference Title starting next year.

 

 

But a difference is that Holmes will be required to schedule all of the D II teams, some of whom may not currently be on their schedule.

 

Assuming that Mustang's list above that I quote is the complete list of NKAC Division II teams, I'd imagine only Brossart, Lloyd & Newport will be new additions to Holmes' schedule.

 

They may already play Newport, which I could see turning into a decent rivalry (although lopsided in Holmes' favor.) Brossart will provide another solid game, while Lloyd will generally be outmatched.

 

Like I said, I don't think this will have a big impact on Holmes. It definitely won't impact the basketball team much, if at all. That goes for this season & beyond.

It could be a factor in the Division players of the year however. Who gets Div.I player of the year last year if Ricardo was Div. II?

True to most of the above.

 

While NKAC titles are not as pronounced as they once were, I think the teams in contention are quite aware of where they stand in the conference races. Since Division III teams are not likely to vie for district or regional titles on an annual basis, there is a lot of emphasis placed on the Division III Conference race.

 

It is important enough that each division team schedules each other, and Division III play home and away.

 

As stated, the All-Conference and Players of the Year are determined by Division.

 

At Brosssart we recognize each conference champion in any sport with a picture of that team displayed in our gym lobby. I can tell you that our boys basketball team has won the NKAC Division III title in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 and the Division II title in 2005 and 2007.

Assuming that Mustang's list above that I quote is the complete list of NKAC Division II teams, I'd imagine only Brossart, Lloyd & Newport will be new additions to Holmes' schedule.

 

They may already play Newport, which I could see turning into a decent rivalry (although lopsided in Holmes' favor.) Brossart will provide another solid game, while Lloyd will generally be outmatched.

 

Like I said, I don't think this will have a big impact on Holmes. It definitely won't impact the basketball team much, if at all. That goes for this season & beyond.

 

Brossart scheduled Holmes off & on up through the 2007 season I believe. Don't think they actually played the '07 game due to that freak snowstorm in Covington that left them unable to get all the way out to Alexandria?? :D I'm pretty sure they've played Newport recently as well. Good to see them coming back on the schedule, although it may be a reality check for the rest of the D-II schools.

While NKAC titles are not as pronounced as they once were, I think the teams in contention are quite aware of where they stand in the conference races. Since Division III teams are not likely to vie for district or regional titles on an annual basis, there is a lot of emphasis placed on the Division III Conference race.

 

As stated, the All-Conference and Players of the Year are determined by Division.

 

 

They may be at Brossart, but I bet that's the exception and not the rule.

 

The All-Conference players & awards are cool, but that's about it...