Expansion worth a look for the DVC

Tweaks and twists aside, the DuPage Valley Conference thrives on stability.

On a solid foundation of eight quality schools, the DVC's consistency is admired nearly as much as its athletic success. After 43 years - and counting - the league represents a pillar of strength.

In the midst of conference upheaval elsewhere, however, perhaps it's only natural that DVC administrators recently took a dip into uncharted waters and explored possible expansion.

After forming a committee of three DVC athletic directors and three principals last spring, a letter of inquiry was sent to high schools within a 9-mile radius of Wheaton Warrenville South High School to gauge interest in joining the league.

The response was tepid as only a handful of schools responded favorably. At a meeting in July, the committee shelved the expansion idea.

"It was just kind of a fishing trip," said Naperville Central athletic director Marty Bee, a member of the committee. "We just wanted to throw a hook out there and see if anyone was interested in joining an expanded DVC. We looked at it, we talked about it and it's over. It's a done issue."

Bee, Glenbard North athletic director Matt Bowser and West Aurora athletic director Andy Lutzenkirchen were committee members along with Wheaton North principal Jill Bullo, Glenbard East principal John Chambers and West Chicago principal Moses Cheng.

While the Upstate Eight Conference, Suburban Christian Conference and other area leagues hold their own reasons for expansion, the DVC specifically sought to attract schools that might help level the athletic playing field for member schools with smaller enrollments such as West Chicago. Although the identity of the schools responding favorably remains a private matter, it's clear they were deemed too large for the DVC's expressed goals.

An original member of the DVC, West Chicago repeatedly has entertained the idea of leaving the league to find a more competitive fit elsewhere. Glenbard South left the DVC in 1996 for that very reason, opening the door for West Aurora to join a year later.

"I am very proud of the other athletic directors and principals to allow this to go forward," said West Chicago athletic director Doug Mullaney. "I think Moses Cheng and I are trying to do what's best for our community and our kids. What lies ahead? Not sure. We just keep moving forward."

It's interesting that the DVC chose a path attempting to keep West Chicago as opposed to moving in a potential direction without the Wildcats. A superconference of large DuPage-area schools split in two divisions would be a state powerhouse in virtually every sport.

According to the IHSA, West Chicago's enrollment stands at 2,275 students. Wheaton North, at 2,158, is the DVC's smallest school. That doesn't mean the Falcons lack in satisfaction, however.

"We have one of the lowest enrollments, but leaving the DVC is something we're not interested in," said Wheaton North athletic director Matt Fisher. "I'm content right now with the eight-school setup."

In the end that seems to be the persuasive argument for maintaining the status quo. The DVC's obviously not broken, so why fix it?

"I've been in the DVC for 33 years and I think it's a great conference with eight," Bee said. "Every school in our conference has had success in something in our conference. I'm a die-hard DVC guy, and I think eight is wonderful."

Fisher and Bee both noted the complications of an expanded DVC with two divisions. Matching up levels and keeping up with schedules creates myriad headaches.

With expansion, however, comes flexibility. Should West Chicago or any other school leave, the DVC would be better positioned to absorb the loss.

An eight-school league, on the other hand, creates a tenuous situation. Just look at how quickly the Western Sun Conference dissolved around Glenbard South.

So even though the move toward expansion has been shelved, the issues surrounding the subject remain.

At the very least, it makes for an awfully interesting conversation.