(4-10-26) The Northwest Conference (NWC) recently sent invitations to Parkway and Delphos St. John’s, both current members of the Midwest Athletic Conference (MAC), to join the conference.

Parkway has already decided to remain in the MAC after asking community members for input on a possible change.

Delphos St. John’s has not yet made a decision, but are considering the invitation.

Delphos St. John’s Principal Adam Perry in an email reply to SSN-

We are currently examining how we will obtain input from our Blue Jay Family on this decision, whether that be surveys, town hall meetings, or both, with a decision being made by July 1st. We want to ensure that we have all the necessary information we can gather before making any decisions.

NWC Commissioner Jon Derryberry replied to us about the current status of looking for new members-

Really nothing to report at this time. We continue to explore our options. If anything were to develop I’ll let you know.

With two MAC schools receiving invitations to join the NWC, MAC Commissioner Ben Kramer replied to SSN’s request for a statement on the situation-

Conference realignment has been occurring all over the state in recent years, and it has now reached our area of west central Ohio. No one has left the Midwest Athletic Conference in over 50 years, with the exception of Mendon Union consolidating in 1992. Parkway has declined offers to leave the MAC and reaffirmed their desire to remain in the conference. The MAC is aware that Delphos St. John’s was extended an invitation to join the Northwest Conference. The Midwest Athletic Conference and its member schools will always work to put itself in a position to maintain the competitive standards those before us have set while maintaining the long-term viability of the league for our student athletes, coaches and communities. 

SSN has also asked Ft. Loramie school officials for a comment (no reply) on their future in the NWC as a football only member.

At this time SSN is not aware of any other school being given an invitation to join.

The What ‘IFS’

If Delphos St. John’s declines…no impact on MAC.

If Delphos St. John’s accepts this will impact the MAC leaving them with only nine football schools

Should the MAC decide to fill the spot another conference could be impacted

The NWC would have nine football schools, a couple of options…add another football school, a bye week might be incorporated or something that might see Ft. Loramie involved in

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HISTORY

The Northwest Conference has been around since 1947 and has had numerous members come and go but still has 4 of its founding members in Allen East, Columbus Grove, Delphos Jefferson and Spencerville. The other current active members are Bluffton who joined in 1953, Crestview who joined in 1970, Lima Central Catholic who re-joined in 2024 and Lincolnview who joined in 1965 and Fort Loramie who joined in football only in 2024.

  • Leipsic left the conference after the 2023-24 school year after rejoining in 2021.
  • Ada left the conference after the 2023-24 school year after joining in 1964.
  • Paulding left the conference after the 2020-21 school year after joining 1967.
  • Lima Central Catholic left the conference after the 2012-2013 school year after joining in 2006, rejoined in 2024
  • Perry left the conference after the 2003-2004 school year after joining in 1960.
  • Upper Scioto Valley left the conference after the 2000-2001 school year after joining in 1966.
  • Elida left the conference after the 1970-1971 school year after being a founding member in 1947.
  • Gomer left the conference after the 1968-1969 school year after joining in 1956.
  • North Baltimore was a football only member and left the conference after the 1968 football season after joining in 1967.
  • Ottawa-Glandorf was a football only member and left the conference after the 1966 football season after joining in 1964.
  • Pandora-Gilboa was a football only member and left the conference after the 1965 football season after joining in 1947.
  • Bath left the conference after the 1964-1965 school year after joining in 1962.
  • Beaverdam left the conference after the 1963-1964 school year after joining in 1956.
  • Leipsic was a football only member and left the conference after the 1963 football season after joining in 1962.
  • Forest was a football only member and left the conference after the 1961 football season after joining in 1947.
  • Shawnee was a football only member and left the conference after the 1952 football season after joining in 1947

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