The Visor

Inclusion in North Coast League has benefits and drawbacks

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February 18, 2010

Nick Pelini

Every Hoban athlete has been there: teachers assign the most homework in weeks, tomorrow multiple tests will be given and sleep has been an issue the past week. By the way, you play a varsity game that night in the North Coast League in Chardon and the bus leaves at 3:45 p.m.

This familiar situation is a common gripe among athletes at Hoban. The NCL games, especially on weekdays, are not exactly easy to get pumped up for. Combined with less than spectacular fan support due to lengthy travel times, athletes need all the personal motivation possible to feel that competitive drive at road games in the league.

“I would prefer to be independent,” junior boys basketball player Evan Pannell said. “We end up playing the same teams twice.”

Another complaint associated with the NCL is the lack of rivalry among the teams. Since the schools are in upwards of fifty minutes away, students often know few students from the other schools which takes away from the rivalry talk that is associated with the St. Vincent-St. Mary and Walsh games.

“Sometimes the teams are not that good and we don’t get the experience for the playoffs,” Pannell said.

Despite the hefty amount of flak the NCL receives, the league does boast a few benefits. For example, new rivalries can be developed after playing the same teams in every sport year after year. Also, the competition and rivalry heightens as each squad vies for the league championship. In addition, students can win individual league honors and awards, a feat not possible when playing a non-league, independent schedule.

Another benefit from the league is one that usually is unobserved because it takes place behind the scenes. Athletic Director Sean Quinn enjoys the luxury of easier scheduling because the league automatically schedules a specific number of games for each sport. Before joining the league, scheduling for each sport was tedious and challenging because each and every game had to be personally handled to fill the schedule. The football scheduling in particular is easier, as opponents used to be in short supply.

While many have criticized the North Coast League and the problems it poses, an equal view of the other side must be looked at to see the bright spots of the league. If nothing else, if a rumor that Walsh Jesuit may join the league comes true, at least there will be one close game a year.

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