Greater Buckeye Conference (OHSAA)
Encyclopedia
The Greater Buckeye Conference was a high school athletic conference with six members, all located in a large area of northern and northwest
Ohio
. It was affiliated with the Ohio High School Athletic Association
. The conference was created for the 2003-2004 school year after the Great Lakes League folded, and lasted until the end of the 2010-11 school year.
The conference's longest and most storied rivalry was between the football teams of Fremont Ross and Sandusky. The Little Giants and the Blue Streaks first played in 1895.
Talks on expanding were held in 1950 and 1951 because of increasing enrollments at some schools, but action was not taken until 1952 when Anthony Wayne left the Maumee Valley League to join the GNC gradually, starting with the spring of 1953 in baseball.
Sylvania was forced to cancel its winter and spring sports during the 1957-58 school year after a levy attempt failed in the fall of 1957.
Port Clinton switched from the NLL to the GLL with the start of the 1963-64 school year.
Toledo Rogers left the GLL to join the Toledo City League
with the start of the 1966-67 school year when their district was absorbed by Toledo Public Schools.
According to GLL constitution, Toledo Whitmer's enrollment became too great in 1967 and the school was dropped from the league with the end of the 1968-69 school year.
Bowling Green rejoined with the start of the 1969-70 school year. At this time, the GLL consisted of Bedford, Bowling Green, Clay, Fostoria, Port Clinton, and Sylvania.
When Sylvania divided into Northview and Southview in 1976, Northview (the original Sylvania HS building) remained in the GLL and Southview joined the NLL.
Bowling Green switched from the GLL to the NLL in 1978, and Napoleon joined the GLL at the start of the 1978-79 school year.
Port Clinton left at the start of the 1980-81 school year for the Sandusky Bay Conference and was replaced by Lima Shawnee, which competed in the GLL only in 1980-81 and 1981-82.
Toledo Whitmer rejoined at the start of the 1982-83 school year.
Fremont Ross joined at the start of the 1991-92 school year, and Findlay joined with the start of the 1995-96 school year.
Sylvania Northview left at the end of the 1996 football season to join the NLL when Lake left for the SLL.
Sandusky was approved to join with the start of the 1997-98 school year, but Napoleon left at the end of the 1996-97 school year.
Lorain Admiral King and Lorain Southview joined at the start of the 2000-2001 school year, but left after one year.
Fostoria left for the Northern Ohio League
in all sports but football at the start of the 2002-03 school year. Fostoria joined the NOL in football one year later.
For the GLL's final year of existence in the 2002-03 school year, the members were Clay, Findlay, Fremont Ross, Napoleon, Sandusky, and Whitmer. Clay and Whitmer had accepted an invitation to join the Toledo City League
for the following school year, and the league would not continue with four members. The Greater Buckeye Conference was created for the 2003-04 school year, which brought Findlay, Fremont Ross, and Sandusky back with former Buckeye Conference member Marion Harding, while Napoleon remained and Lima Senior joined.
In June 2009, Napoleon accepted an invitation to join the Northern Lakes League
while Sandusky was accepted into the Northern Ohio League. Both will begin competition in their new conferences in 2011 after citing tedious league travel as a reason for wanting to leave. In August 2009, Findlay, Lima, and later on, Fremont Ross all applied for membership in the Toledo City League. After a league vote on October 13, Fremont Ross was invited to join the City League in 2011, but Findlay and Lima were turned down invitations.
On May 24 of 2010, representatives from Findlay and Lima Senior high schools met with the non-TPS members of the Toledo City League to discuss possibly forming a new conference no sooner than 2011. This came after Toledo Public considered possibly cutting junior high, freshmen, and less popular sports from their budget in order to ease their $39 million deficit. This new league would become a valid setup starting in 2011 as the Three Rivers Athletic Conference
. Findlay and Lima Senior joined this loop right away, leaving Marion Harding as the lone GBC school without a home league for 2011.
Northwest Ohio
Northwest or northwestern Ohio consists of multiple counties in the northwestern corner of the US state of Ohio. This area borders Lake Erie, southern Michigan, and eastern Indiana. Some areas in northwestern Ohio are also considered the Black Swamp area. The Toledo metropolitan area is also part...
Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. It was affiliated with the Ohio High School Athletic Association
Ohio High School Athletic Association
The Ohio High School Athletic Association is the governing body of athletic programs for junior and senior high schools in the state of Ohio...
. The conference was created for the 2003-2004 school year after the Great Lakes League folded, and lasted until the end of the 2010-11 school year.
The conference's longest and most storied rivalry was between the football teams of Fremont Ross and Sandusky. The Little Giants and the Blue Streaks first played in 1895.
Members
- FindlayFindlay High SchoolFindlay High School is a public high school in Findlay, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Findlay City School District, and the second largest high school in northwest Ohio. Their nickname is the Trojans. They are members of the Three Rivers Athletic Conference. The new conference is going to...
Trojans - Fremont RossFremont Ross High SchoolFremont Ross High School is a public high school in Fremont, Ohio, USA. It is the only high school in the Fremont City School District, and one of two high schools in Fremont, the other being Saint Joseph Central Catholic High School...
Little Giants - Lima SeniorLima Senior High SchoolLima Senior High School, the only high school in the Lima City Schools District, was established in 1955, in Lima, Ohio. There are approximately 1,500 students currently enrolled at Lima Senior.- Overview :...
Spartans - Marion HardingMarion Harding High School (Ohio)Marion Harding High School is a public high school in Marion, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Marion City School District. The school mascot is the Presidents and is symbolized by an eagle named Warren G...
Presidents - NapoleonNapoleon High School (Ohio)Napoleon High School is a public high school in Napoleon, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Napoleon Area City School District. Their nickname is the Wildcats...
Wildcats - SanduskySandusky High SchoolSandusky High School, or SHS, is a secondary school in Sandusky, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Sandusky City School District, and one of three high schools in the city of Sandusky; the other two are St Mary Central Catholic High School, and Perkins High School.SHS was one of the first...
Blue Streaks
Departing members
| High School | Location | Joined GBC | Tenure of Membership | Charter Member | League in 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Findlay High School Findlay High School Findlay High School is a public high school in Findlay, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Findlay City School District, and the second largest high school in northwest Ohio. Their nickname is the Trojans. They are members of the Three Rivers Athletic Conference. The new conference is going to... |
Findlay Findlay, Ohio As of the census of 2000, there were 38,967 people, 15,905 households, and 10,004 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,266.3 people per square mile . There were 17,152 housing units at an average density of 997.6 per square mile... , Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... |
2003 | 2003–2011 | Yes | Three Rivers Athletic Conference Three Rivers Athletic Conference The Three Rivers Athletic Conference is an Ohio High School Athletic Association high school athletic conference that will begin athletic competition in 2011 and is currently slotted to have 10 high schools from Northwest Ohio, seven of which are from the Toledo metropolitan area, and one each... |
| Fremont Ross High School Fremont Ross High School Fremont Ross High School is a public high school in Fremont, Ohio, USA. It is the only high school in the Fremont City School District, and one of two high schools in Fremont, the other being Saint Joseph Central Catholic High School... |
Fremont Fremont, Ohio Fremont Public Schools enroll 4,450 students in public primary and secondary schools. The district administers 9 public schools including seven elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, Fremont Ross. In addition, the city is home to one private catholic high school, Saint Joseph... , Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... |
2003 | 2003–2011 | Yes | Three Rivers Athletic Conference Three Rivers Athletic Conference The Three Rivers Athletic Conference is an Ohio High School Athletic Association high school athletic conference that will begin athletic competition in 2011 and is currently slotted to have 10 high schools from Northwest Ohio, seven of which are from the Toledo metropolitan area, and one each... |
| Lima Senior High School Lima Senior High School Lima Senior High School, the only high school in the Lima City Schools District, was established in 1955, in Lima, Ohio. There are approximately 1,500 students currently enrolled at Lima Senior.- Overview :... |
Lima Lima, Ohio Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo.... , Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... |
2003 | 2003–2011 | Yes | Three Rivers Athletic Conference Three Rivers Athletic Conference The Three Rivers Athletic Conference is an Ohio High School Athletic Association high school athletic conference that will begin athletic competition in 2011 and is currently slotted to have 10 high schools from Northwest Ohio, seven of which are from the Toledo metropolitan area, and one each... |
| Marion Harding Marion Harding High School (Ohio) Marion Harding High School is a public high school in Marion, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Marion City School District. The school mascot is the Presidents and is symbolized by an eagle named Warren G... |
Marion Marion, Ohio Marion is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Marion County. The municipality is located in north-central Ohio, approximately north of Columbus.... , Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... |
2003 | 2003–2011 | Yes | no league affiliation |
| Napoleon High School Napoleon High School (Ohio) Napoleon High School is a public high school in Napoleon, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Napoleon Area City School District. Their nickname is the Wildcats... |
Napoleon Napoleon, Ohio As of the census of 2000, there were 9,318 people, 3,813 households, and 2,470 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,668.1 people per square mile . There were 4,066 housing units at an average density of 727.9 per square mile... , Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... |
2003 | 2003–2011 | Yes | Northern Lakes League Northern Lakes League The Northern Lakes League , is an OHSAA high school athletic conference that was formed in 1956 and comprises eight high schools in Northwest Ohio.-Current members:-Former members:-1950s:... |
| Sandusky High School Sandusky High School Sandusky High School, or SHS, is a secondary school in Sandusky, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Sandusky City School District, and one of three high schools in the city of Sandusky; the other two are St Mary Central Catholic High School, and Perkins High School.SHS was one of the first... |
Sandusky Sandusky, Ohio Sandusky is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Erie County. It is located in northern Ohio and is situated on the shores of Lake Erie, almost exactly half-way between Toledo to the west and Cleveland to the east.... , Ohio Ohio Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus... |
2003 | 2003–2011 | Yes | Northern Ohio League |
Great Northern Conference years
The Great Northern Conference was created April 14, 1945, in Maumee in a meeting attended by representatives from Oregon Clay, Maumee, Perrysburg, Rossford, Sylvania and Toledo Whitmer. All had previously been members of the Maumee Valley League.Talks on expanding were held in 1950 and 1951 because of increasing enrollments at some schools, but action was not taken until 1952 when Anthony Wayne left the Maumee Valley League to join the GNC gradually, starting with the spring of 1953 in baseball.
Sylvania was forced to cancel its winter and spring sports during the 1957-58 school year after a levy attempt failed in the fall of 1957.
Creation of divisions and two new leagues
Talks had begun in 1956 to expand the GNC with Bowling Green, Fostoria, Swanton, Oak Harbor, Genoa, Lake, Port Clinton, Toledo Rogers and Holland being considered. The GNC eventually grew and split into two divisions based on size— Orange: (Bowling Green, Clay, Fostoria, Toledo Rogers, Sylvania and Toledo Whitmer) and Blue: (Anthony Wayne, Genoa, Maumee, Perrysburg, Port Clinton and Rossford). The names were changed in 1957, with the Orange Division becoming the Great Lakes League and the Blue Division becoming the Northern Lakes League.| Great Northern Conference Divisions (created in 1956) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange/Great Lakes League | Blue/Northern Lakes League | ||
| Bowling Green | Anthony Wayne | ||
| Clay | Genoa | ||
| Fostoria | Maumee | ||
| Rogers | Perrysburg | ||
| Sylvania | Port Clinton | ||
| Whitmer | Rossford | ||
Constant change in membership
Bowling Green left the GLL in June 1960, and Bedford (MI) joined in 1961.Port Clinton switched from the NLL to the GLL with the start of the 1963-64 school year.
Toledo Rogers left the GLL to join the Toledo City League
Toledo City League
The Toledo City League is an Ohio High School Athletic Association high school athletic conference that was formed in 1926 and comprises the six high schools in Toledo that are from Toledo Public Schools.- Membership :...
with the start of the 1966-67 school year when their district was absorbed by Toledo Public Schools.
According to GLL constitution, Toledo Whitmer's enrollment became too great in 1967 and the school was dropped from the league with the end of the 1968-69 school year.
Bowling Green rejoined with the start of the 1969-70 school year. At this time, the GLL consisted of Bedford, Bowling Green, Clay, Fostoria, Port Clinton, and Sylvania.
When Sylvania divided into Northview and Southview in 1976, Northview (the original Sylvania HS building) remained in the GLL and Southview joined the NLL.
Bowling Green switched from the GLL to the NLL in 1978, and Napoleon joined the GLL at the start of the 1978-79 school year.
Port Clinton left at the start of the 1980-81 school year for the Sandusky Bay Conference and was replaced by Lima Shawnee, which competed in the GLL only in 1980-81 and 1981-82.
Toledo Whitmer rejoined at the start of the 1982-83 school year.
Fremont Ross joined at the start of the 1991-92 school year, and Findlay joined with the start of the 1995-96 school year.
Sylvania Northview left at the end of the 1996 football season to join the NLL when Lake left for the SLL.
Sandusky was approved to join with the start of the 1997-98 school year, but Napoleon left at the end of the 1996-97 school year.
Lorain Admiral King and Lorain Southview joined at the start of the 2000-2001 school year, but left after one year.
Fostoria left for the Northern Ohio League
Northern Ohio League (OHSAA)
The Northern Ohio League is an OHSAA athletic league in north central Ohio. The following schools are members of the league:-Members:-Former members:-League history:-1940s:...
in all sports but football at the start of the 2002-03 school year. Fostoria joined the NOL in football one year later.
For the GLL's final year of existence in the 2002-03 school year, the members were Clay, Findlay, Fremont Ross, Napoleon, Sandusky, and Whitmer. Clay and Whitmer had accepted an invitation to join the Toledo City League
Toledo City League
The Toledo City League is an Ohio High School Athletic Association high school athletic conference that was formed in 1926 and comprises the six high schools in Toledo that are from Toledo Public Schools.- Membership :...
for the following school year, and the league would not continue with four members. The Greater Buckeye Conference was created for the 2003-04 school year, which brought Findlay, Fremont Ross, and Sandusky back with former Buckeye Conference member Marion Harding, while Napoleon remained and Lima Senior joined.
All-time membership of the Great Lakes League (1956-2003)
- Temperance (MI) Bedford Mules (1961–2000)
- Bowling Green Bobcats (1956–1960, 1969–1978)
- Oregon Clay Eagles (1956–2003)
- Findlay Trojans (1995–2003)
- Fostoria Redmen (1956–2002)
- Fremont Ross Little Giants (1991–2003)
- Lima Shawnee Indians (1980–1982)
- Lorain Admiral King Admirals (2000–2001)
- Lorain Southview Saints (2000–2001)
- Napoleon Wildcats (1978–1997, 2002–2003)
- Port Clinton Redskins (1963–1980)
- Sandusky Blue Streaks (1997–2003)
- Sylvania/Sylvania Northview Wildcats (1956–1996)
- Toledo Rogers Rams (1956–1966)
- Toledo Whitmer Panthers (1956–1969, 1982–2003)
The current and brief GBC years
The GBC was created in fall of 2003 with Findlay, Fremont Ross, Lima Senior, Marion Harding, Napoleon, and Sandusky as the inaugural members, after the GLL ceased to exist.In June 2009, Napoleon accepted an invitation to join the Northern Lakes League
Northern Lakes League
The Northern Lakes League , is an OHSAA high school athletic conference that was formed in 1956 and comprises eight high schools in Northwest Ohio.-Current members:-Former members:-1950s:...
while Sandusky was accepted into the Northern Ohio League. Both will begin competition in their new conferences in 2011 after citing tedious league travel as a reason for wanting to leave. In August 2009, Findlay, Lima, and later on, Fremont Ross all applied for membership in the Toledo City League. After a league vote on October 13, Fremont Ross was invited to join the City League in 2011, but Findlay and Lima were turned down invitations.
On May 24 of 2010, representatives from Findlay and Lima Senior high schools met with the non-TPS members of the Toledo City League to discuss possibly forming a new conference no sooner than 2011. This came after Toledo Public considered possibly cutting junior high, freshmen, and less popular sports from their budget in order to ease their $39 million deficit. This new league would become a valid setup starting in 2011 as the Three Rivers Athletic Conference
Three Rivers Athletic Conference
The Three Rivers Athletic Conference is an Ohio High School Athletic Association high school athletic conference that will begin athletic competition in 2011 and is currently slotted to have 10 high schools from Northwest Ohio, seven of which are from the Toledo metropolitan area, and one each...
. Findlay and Lima Senior joined this loop right away, leaving Marion Harding as the lone GBC school without a home league for 2011.
| Year | Football Champions |
|---|---|
| 2003 | Marion Harding |
| 2004 | Findlay, Napoleon |
| 2005 | Findlay |
| 2006 | Fremont Ross |
| 2007 | Napoleon |
| 2008 | Findlay |
| 2009 | Findlay, Napoleon, Sandusky |
| 2010 | Fremont Ross |
Links
- http://www.fremontrossfootball.com/championships.html
- Findlay, Lima weigh CL play; Toledo Blade, 15 August 2009
- Fremont Ross shows interest in City League; Toledo Blade, 16 August 2009
- GLL/NLL Basketball Standings, Toledo Blade, Jan 31 1958
- Fremont Ross to join City League; Toledo Blade, 14 October 2009
- Proposed TPS cuts cast doubt on City League; Toledo Blade, 25 May 2010