Glenbard South in talks to join Upstate Eight
Another domino is set to tip in the continued shuffling of athletic conference affiliations.
Glenbard South will hold a community forum in its library 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 to discuss a potential shift to the Upstate Eight Conference from the Metro Suburban Conference. In a Jan. 19 meeting at South Elgin attended by Glenbard South and the nine remaining UEC schools, the UEC invited Glenbard South to join in a move that would occur in 2018-19.
"We have had conversations with them and that's why we're meeting on Wednesday night to discuss this with our community and our parents," said Glenbard South athletic director Tim Carlson.
"This is obviously something we want them to come and listen to. It impacts a lot of people. We think it's important for people to hear how we came to these conclusions," Carlson said.
The initial impetus for change, he said, was "uncertainty and instability over the last year." That was emphasized by the Nov. 16, 2016, decision by DuPage Valley Conference programs Glenbard North, Lake Park, Wheaton North and Wheaton Warrenville South to partner with UEC members Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles East and St. Charles North in the new DuKane Conference.
Carlson emphasized that, for a Raiders program that won the Metro Suburban West title as recently as 2014, football did not drive the decision. He said the UEC will provide competition on a number of levels and will afford previously independent sports - specifically citing girls golf and badminton - the opportunity for conference play.
"This speaks to the totality of our programs, where we fit in with levels and competitive balance," he said.
There is an automatic rivalry with fellow District 87 school Glenbard East and familiarity with West Chicago. At 1,201 students according to IHSA figures, Glenbard South would be by far the smallest member of the new Upstate Eight, closest to Streamwood at 2,015 and Larkin at 2,109 with West Aurora topping all at 3,728 students.
Carlson doesn't see this as a hurdle and neither does South Elgin principal Brian Moran, president of the UEC Board of Control.
"They're small but they play big," said Moran, who also appreciated activities Glenbard South would bring such as debate. He said if one school was added the UEC's alignment would shift to a single division rather than two as it is now.
The Metro Suburban Conference requires one year's notice of departure. If Glenbard South does make the move Carlson anticipated it to be formalized by late February. The next UEC principals meeting is Feb. 16.
Timothy Christian athletic director Jack LeGrand, president of the MSC athletic directors board, said they'll discuss their future at the group's monthly meeting on Feb. 1. Illiana Christian is also expected to leave the MSC in 2018-19 to compete in Indiana.
"They kept us in the loop," LeGrand said of Glenbard South, "and because of that we're trying to keep our options open as well and trying to decide what the best way is for the Metro."
Elsewhere, Metea Valley principal Darrell Echols confirmed that Bolingbrook, Oswego and Oswego East have declined invitations to join Metea Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Jerry Fitzpatrick, Kevin Schmit and Orrin Schwarz contributed to this report.