The Ohio Capital Conference

In early December of 1966 five (5) schools met at Millers Restaurant in Gahanna to discuss the formation of a new athletic conference and develop a proposed conference constitution. The following Principals and Athletic Directors were in attendance:

Gahanna Lincoln: Ben Webb and Byron Prushing
Reynoldsburg: Joe Endry and Bill Starner
Westerville: Dana Aukerman and Walt Bahorek
Whitehall: Bob Strohm and Ray Schick
Worthington: Lou Koloze and Dick West

On that day I would have never believed that 38 years later I would still be associated with a conference that had grown from 5 schools to the present 30 schools and loosing only 1 school to another conference. I would say that this conference has been blessed with strong understanding people in leadership positions. Byron Prushing OCC Secretary

First minutes of the OCC

Millers Village Inn December 6, 1966

Representatives from Gahanna Lincoln, Reynoldsburg, Westerville, Whitehall and Worthington Met at Millers Village Inn on December 6, 1966 for the purpose of approving the proposed constitution for the new league. Joe Endry, Acting Chairman of the group, asked for suggestions for a name for the new league. Several suggestions were made and the name Ohio Capital Conference was unanimously chosen.

Chairman Endry called for a discussion of the proposed constitution of the Ohio Capital Conference. After a review and discussion. the Schools’ representatives stated that they were in agreement and were ready to sign the document. Copies of the constitution were signed and the new constitution became a reality. Chairman Endry called for the selection of officers as set forth by the constitution.

Mr. Endry was nominated and unanimously accepted as President.
Mr. Koloze was nominated and unanimously accepted as Vice President.
Mr. Starner and Mr. Prushing were nominated for Secretary - Treasurer. Mr. Starner withdrew his name and Mr. Prushing was unanimously accepted for the office of Secretary - Treasurer.

It was moved by Mr. Endry, with second by Mr. Koloze that all members be assed $20.00 each for opperating expensed untill the conference begins. Passed 5 yes, 0 no. President Endry authorized Mr. Prushing to prepare an application for use by the new conference. President Endry authorized Mr. Prushing to prepare a press relase concerning aims, objectives, officers and representatives of schools that formed the Ohio Capital Conference.

Meeting adjourned. Webb, Koloze, B. Prushing, Sec.

Gahanna Lincoln, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Worthington, Whitehall

FIRST CONFERENCE ADDITIONS

Don’s Briarcliff Restaurant Jan 12, 1967
The Executive Committee of the Ohio Capital Conference met at Don’s Briarcliff Restaurant on January 12, 1967. The meeting was called to order by President Endry at 1:15 p.m. The first order of business was the review of applications from Mt. Vernon, Pleasant View, and Delaware.

Mr. Aukerman moved that Mt. Vernon, Pleasant View, and Delaware be accepted into the new conference. Second by Mr. Strohm. Roll call was as follows: Worthington, Yes; Westerville, Yes; Whitehall, Yes; Gahanna, No; Reynoldsburg, No. Motion failed.

Mr. Aukerman moved that Mt. Vernon be accepted be accepted into the new conference as the sixth team. Second by Mr. Koloze. Roll call was as follows: Worthington, Yes; Westerville, Yes; Whitehall, Yes; Gahanna, No; Reynoldsburg, No. Motion failed.

Mr. Aukerman moved that Delaware be accepted into the new conference as the sixth team. Second by Mr. Koloze. Roll call was as follows: Worthington, Yes; Westerville, Yes; Whitehall, Yes; Gahanna, No; Reynoldsburg, No. Motion failed.

Mr. Aukerman moved that Pleasant View be accepted into the new conference as the sixth team. Second by Mr. Strohm. Roll call was as follows: Worthington, No; Westerville, Yes; Whitehall, Yes; Gahanna, No; Reynoldsburg, No. Motion failed.

Mr. Webb moved that Mt. Vernon, Pleasant View, and Delaware be accepted into the new conference with the understanding that if one of the three would not accept membership, the other two invitations shall be withdrawn by the Executive Committee. Second by Mr. Aukerman. Roll call was as follows: Worthington, Yes; Westerville, Yes; Whitehall, Yes; Gahanna, Yes; Reynoldsburg, Yes. Motion Passed.

President Endry requested that the principals and athletic directors from Mt. Vernon, Delaware and Pleasant View meet with the Executive Committee of the Ohio Capital Conference at the Hospitality Inn on January 18, 1967 at 6:30 p.m. to sign the Constitution of the Ohio Capital Conference.

Meeting adjourned. Koloze, Webb. B. Prushing Sec.

Gahanna Lincoln, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Worthington, Whitehall, Mt. Vernon, Delaware, Whitehall

SECOND CONFERENCE ADDITIONS

June 5, 1972
Mr. Gastin moved that the athletic directors establish a schedule for a ten team of two divisions with four (4) conference games and three (3) crossover games. This schedule would have an overall champion and two divisional champions. Second by Mr. Endry.
Motion passed. 6 yes, 2 no. (Gahanna, Worthington)

June 14, 1973
Mr. Endry moved that Hilliard (Scioto Darby) and Groveport (Madison) High Schools be admitted to the OCC effective in the 1974-75 school year. Second by Mr. Gastin. Motion passed. 8 yes, 0 no.

OCC
Gahanna Lincoln, Westerville, Reynoldsburg, Worthington, Whitehall, Mt. Vernon, Delaware, Westland, Hilliard, Groveport

THIRD CONFERENCE ADDITIONS

March 10, 1975
It was moved by Mr. Endry and seconded by Mr. Janek that Chillicothe and Westerville North be admitted to the Conference with Conference competition to start with the 1977-78 school year.
Motion passed. 9 yes, 1 no.

Ohio Division
Gahanna Lincoln, Groveport, Westerville South, Worthington, Chillicothe, Westland

Capital Division
Delaware, Westerville North, Whitehall, Reynoldsburg, Mt. Vernon, Hilliard

FOURTH CONFERENCE ADDITIONS

March 6, 1978
Motion by Mr. Schmidt that we admit Grove City and Franklin Heights into the OCC effective in 1981-82 and that we then divide the Conference into two divisions based on school size.

Motion to amend the above motion by Mr. Cavanaugh. Second by Mr. Huston that we divide the Conference by the “North”, “South´ proposal
Prepared by the Expansion Committee.
Motion passed. 7 yes, 4 no, 1 abstention

Motion by Mr. Schmidt, second by Mr. Carter, that we admit Grove City and Franklin Heights into the OCC effective in the 1981-2 season and amend that the Conference division be by the North, South proposal.
Motion passed. 9 yes. 3 no. These Divisions are: (never played)

North Division
Westerville North, Worthington, Gahanna, Hilliard, Mt. Vernon, Westerville South, Delaware

South Division
Grove City, Westland, Groveport, Reynoldsburg, Chillicothe, Whitehall, Franklin Heights

FIFTH CONFERENCE ADDITIONS

November 8, 1978
Motion by Mr. Roberts that Conference expansion of the Ohio Capital Conference be consistent with the with the placement of schools in two divisions in accordance with their school enrollments. One half of the member schools with the lowest enrollment figures be placed
In one division and the remaining schools with the largest enrollment figures be placed in the remaining division. The OCC will comply with this stated conference divisions basis beginning with the 1981-82 school year. Second by Mr Endry. Motion passed. 14 yes. 0 no.

Moved by Mr. Cavanaugh, second by Mr. Miller, to invite Upper Arlington and Pickerington into the Conference based on size alignment in the 1981-82 school year.

Move by Mr. Cavanaugh to amend his above motion as follows: to move Chillicothe to the small Division and Westerville South to the large division on the projected enrollments for the 1981-82 school year. Motion passed. 11 yes. 3 no.

Large Division (Ohio)
Upper Arlington, Westerville South, Grove City, Westland, Gahanna Lincoln, Groveport, Reynoldsburg, Worthington

Small Division (Capital)
Hilliard, Westerville North, Mt. Vernon, Chillicothe, Whitehall, Delaware, Pickerington, Franklin Heights

SIXTH CONFERENCE ADDITION

January 12, 1993 Alignment and expansion Committee
Chairman Rutan reported that he had received formal applications from Newark and Lancaster for admission into the OCC and that Big Walnut had discussed the possibility but had never made a formal application. Chairman Rutan asked that a motion to accept the second Dublin school into the OCC be proposed.

Moved by Bill Northrup, second by Jim McCann, to approve the second Dublin school as a member of the OCC beginning with the 1995-6 school year. Motion passed. 20 yes. 0 no.

Moved by Mr. Webb, second by Mr. Dalrymple, to extend an invitation to Newark High School to become a member of the Ohio Capital Conference beginning with the 1995-6 school year. Motion passed. 17 yes. 3 no. 1 abstention.

1995-6 alignment
January 12, 1993 Alignment and expansion Committee Chairman Rutan reported that he had received formal applications from Newark and Lancaster for admission into the OCC and that Big Walnut had discussed the possibility but had never made a formal application.

Chairman Rutan asked that a motion to accept the second Dublin school into the OCC be proposed.

Moved by Bill Northrup, second by Jim McCann, to approve the second Dublin school as a member of the OCC beginning with the 1995-6 school year. Motion passed. 20 yes. 0 no.

1995-6 alignment

Ohio
Dublin Coffman, Gahanna Lincoln, Groveport, Hilliard, Newark, Thomas Worthington, Westland, Westerville North

Central
Chillicothe, Dublin Scioto, Grove City, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Upper Arlington, Westerville South, Worthington Kilbourne

Capital
Delaware Hayes, Franklin Heights, Marysville, Mt. Vernon, Watkins Memorial, Whitehall

SEVENTH CONFERENCE ADDITION

January 26, 1995 Special Executive Meeting
Mr. Rutan reported that Lancaster, Olentangy and Marion Harding have expressed, in writing, requests to be considerd for adission into the OCC. Hilliard reported that they will open a second high school in the fall of 1997.

Moved by Mr. Rutan, second by Ken Baker, to approve the acceptance of Big Walnut, Olentangy and Lancaster as 1997-8 members of the OCC.

Moved by Mr. Bixler, second by Mr. Adams, to approve the 1997-8 conference alignment shown below. Motion passed. 19 yes. 4 no.

Ohio January 12, 1993 Alignment and expansion Committee
Chairman Rutan reported that he had received formal applications from Newark and Lancaster for admission into the OCC and that Big Walnut had discussed the possibility but had never made a formal application.

Chairman Rutan asked that a motion to accept the second Dublin school into the OCC be proposed.

Moved by Bill Northrup, second by Jim McCann, to approve the second Dublin school as a member of the OCC beginning with the 1995-6 school year. Motion passed. 20 yes. 0 no.

1997-8 alignment

Ohio
Lancaster, Gahanna, Pickerington, Westland, Newark, Westerville North

Cardinal
Chillicothe, Dublin Scioto, Hilliard Darby, Olentangy, Reynoldsburg, Thomas Worthington, Upper Arlington

Central
Dublin Coffman, Groveport, Grove City, Hilliard Davidson, Westerville South, Worthington Kilbourne

Capital
Delaware Hayes, Big Walnut, Franklin Heights, Marysville, Mt. Vernon, Watkins Memorial, Whitehall

Moved by Mr. Hansen, second by Mr. Adams, to approve the following alignment directive. Motion passed by a majority vote.

The two 7 team divisions shall fill their football byes with mandatory crossover games with one another.

The two 6 team divisions shall not have mandatory crossover football games, however they may schedule their byes by mutual consent.

EIGHT CONFERENCE ADDITION

June 14, 1999
Mr. Peterson. Chairman, The Alignment Committee unanimously voted to recommend that Whitehall Yearling be withdrawn from competition in football in the fall of 2000. This recommendation would not eliminate Whitehall from competing in all other OCC athletics and activities.

This recommendation permits all Capital Division schools to enter a two year contract with the school that replaces Whitehall on their schedule. This recommendation also allows the Cardinal and Capital divisions to continue to play their crossover games.

Moved by Rick Dill, second by Robert Thompson, to approve the above report as presented. Motion passed. Yes 24, No 0. 2 absent.

Moved by Mr. Scott Prebles, second by Mr. Mike Smith, to approve an 8, 6, 6, 6 divisional alignment for the OCC beginning in the 2002-03 school year with the following divisional alignment.

Ohio
Lancaster, Gahanna Lincoln, Groveport, Pickerington, Hilliard Darby, Newark, Westerville North, Central Crossing, Dublin Coffman

Cardinal
Chillicothe, Dublin Scioto, Westland, Upper Arlington, Olentangy, Thomas Worthington

Central
Reynoldsburg, Groveport, Grove City, Hilliard Davidson, Westerville South, Worthington Kilbourne

Capital
Delaware Hayes, Big Walnut, Marysville, Franklin Heights, Watkins Memorial, Mt. Vernon

NINTH CONFERENCE ADDITION

September 17, 2001
Mr. Workman, Chairman of the Alignment Committee, reviewed the proposed divisional alignment for the 2004-5 2005-6 seasons.

Mr. Workman stated that the Committee was aware that the proposed alignment is in violation of the enrollment concept but felt that there was no other choice because of the more important “sister school” concept. Proposed alignment is shown below.

Ohio
Lancaster, Gahanna Lincoln, Hilliard Darby, Newark, Upper Arlington, Groveport

Central
Delaware, Central Crossing, Worthington Kilbourne, Marysville, Westerville South, Mt. Vernon

Capital
Big Walnut, Dublin Jerome, Franklin Heights, Olentangy Liberty, Pickerington North, Watkins Memorial

Buckeye
Reynoldsburg, Dublin Coffman, Thomas Worthington, Hilliard Davidson, Westerville North, Westland

Cardinal
Olentangy, Dublin Scioto, Grove City, Chillicothe, Westerville Central, Pickerington

Capital
Big Walnut, Dublin Jerome, Franklin Heights, Olentangy Liberty, Pickerington North, Watkins Memorial

Moved by Mr. Sam Cook, second by Ms. Joy Rose, to accept the report of the Alignment Committee as presented. This alignment becomes effective for the 2004-5, 2005-6 season. Motion passed. 25 yes. 1 no.

2006-5, 2006-7 ALIGNMENT CHANGE

March 15, 2004
Jay Wolfe presented a proposed realignment for the 2006-5, 2006-7 school years. The Executive Committee approved the proposed realignment shown below. 24 yes. 3 no. 3 abstentions.

Ohio
Lancaster, Gahanna Lincoln, Hilliard Darby, Newark, Westland, Groveport

Central
Delaware Hayes, Central Crossing, Thomas Worthington, Marysville, Westerville Central, Pickerington North

Capital
Big Walnut, Dublin Scioto, Franklin Heights, Olentangy Liberty, Watkins Memorial, Chillicothe

Buckeye
Reynoldsburg, Dublin Coffman, Upper Arlington, Hilliard Davidson, Westerville North, Grove City

Cardinal
Olentangy, Dublin Jerome, Worthington Kilbourne, Westerville South, Pickerington Central, Mt. Vernon.