OAA Crossroads.

Written Saturday November 7th at 10:15 AM

The OAA is at a crossroads as we head into the 2016-2017 school year with Southfield and Lathrup merging and being at 23 schools. There has been rumblings that the league could lose Ferndale as low enrollment continues and also we don’t know what is going on with Harrison and Pontiac. Pontiac is under a consent agreement with the State of Michigan. Harrison could close soon which could set a chain reaction within the OAA. Does the OAA do like what the MAC does, expand its influence to different counties. The MAC has schools from Oakland, Wayne, and St. Clair Counties that are in that league. The OAA can very well do this route if they choose to do so, if they choose not too then it could be the end of the league as we know it.

Here are some possible schools that could fit the league.

Lapeer:

The Lightning is an interesting but they do fit the standpoint of the league. Lapeer has not been in a stable conference since the merger with Lapeer East and Lapeer West when they were kicked out of the Flint Metro League. The Lightning gets no competition in the Saginaw Valley Conference and have to travel as far north as Mount Pleasant.

PRO’S: The move in the league will give Lapeer renewed rivalries with the northern Oakland County schools in Orion, Oxford, Clarkston, Stoney Creek, Rochester, and Adams. They will bring revenue as they bring most of the town out to their games. The Lightning do bring a football, softball, girls basketball, and volleyball presence.

CONCERNS: The southern Oakland County schools have major concern if Lapeer joins the league. The travel up north will be a major issue for them and also school size but they are projected to go down in recent years.

TOP RIVAL IF JOIN LEAGUE: Oxford.

PROJECTION: I think Lapeer joins the league and finally gets the stability they deserve.

Davison and Grand Blanc:

The Cardinals have wanted into the league for some time and they will bring something if they join the OAA. Davison has not been in a stable conference since the Big Nine dissolved and they were forced to join the Saginaw Valley Conference in which like Lapeer has to travel as far north as Mount Pleasant.

Grand Blanc is in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association and also have been wanting into the league. They will bring big numbers into the league and competition. They are a track and soccer presence in the league and could rival Troy and the Rochester Schools.

PRO’S: The move in the league will bring stability for the Cardinals and it will renew rivalries with Clarkston as they only have to travel down M-15 into Oakland County. Orion is a rival to Davison as well. Davison will bring a wrestling presence and could bring competition in girls basketball and softball.

Grand Blanc would bring strong sports and is one of the biggest schools in the State. They would reignite rivalries with Orion and Clarkston but also could create new rivarlies with Oxford, Troy, Troy Athens, Rochester, Stoney Creek, Adams, and West Bloomfield.

CONCERNS: The travel is a major concern to the Southern Oakland County schools for both Davison and Grand Blanc. Both schools are located in Genesee County and especially Southeast Oakland County will have major concerns in getting both teams to come or go to their respective locations. Money and revenue is a huge concern as well as Grand Blanc doesn’t bring a lot of fans south but not as much for Davison though.

TOP RIVALS IF THEY BOTH JOIN LEAGUE: Clarkston

PROJECTION: I don’t think Davison or Grand Blanc will join the league, they are too far northwest but if Brandon comes into the league then that will change otherwise. Davison though is in a better position to join the league though than Grand Blanc.

Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott:

The Waterford schools have struggled in sports recently despite leaving the OAA in the mid 2000’s for the KLAA. The Captains and Corsairs have both been frustrated with the league with their lack of realignment process and if they were to return to the league then they could compete and not be stuck in a regional format.

PRO’S: Both Waterford schools will bring stability as Waterford divides the north and south. Both schools have rivalries to the north with Orion, Clarkston, Oxford, Troy, Troy Athens, Pontiac, and Avondale. The district pairings have had them play OAA teams so if they moved back into the OAA then it would bring them competition.

CONCERNS: Can both of them be successful if they come back??? Yes both teams bring a sports presence especially in girls basketball but can they compete. The reason why the Waterford schools left the league was for competition purposes but they have found out maybe the Kensington might not be as rosy as people thinks.

TOP RIVALS IF JOIN LEAGUE: Clarkston

PROJECTION: I think the league will welcome Waterford back with open arms. The southeast Oakland County schools could vote against this move but I see both Waterford schools coming back into the league with open arms.

Holly:

The Bronchos are interesting because they are in the Flint Metro League and is one of two teams in Oakland County along with Brandon. We don’t know the stability of the Flint Metro but from a geographic standpoint it makes sense for Holly to join the league.

PRO’s: Holly brings a track and cross country presence along with a basketball and football presence as well. The Bronchos would renew rivalries with Oxford and Clarkston if they were to join the league.

CONCERNS: Enrollment is interesting as Holly is a Division Two School. Also the Athletic Director at Holly is against moving. Travel will be a major concern for the southern schools going northwest into Holly so it could be a long shot.

TOP RIVAL IF JOIN LEAGUE: Clarkston

PROJECTION: It’s a long shot for Holly to join the league because of their situation they are in. They could join if want too but Southern Schools might be against it.

Brandon:

The Blackhawks would be an interesting fit into the league because they are a Division Three School which could appease Avondale and the smaller schools. Brandon brings some sports and maybe bringing in more competition will make them feel solid.

PRO’S: Brandon returning to the league from the Flint Metro League would reignite rivalries with Oxford and create a new rivalry with Avondale. The Blackhawks would bring a football presence into the league and could bring new opportunities if they decide to return to the league.

CONCERNS: Travel will always be a concern to the Blackhawks as they are in Northwest Oakland County and the Southeastern Oakland County schools will have major concerns along with the money impact.

TOP RIVAL IF JOIN LEAGUE: Oxford

PROJECTION: Brandon coming back into the league makes perfect sense as they would compete with Oxford, Avondale, Hazel Park, and Royal Oak. Brandon doesn’t mind traveling down there to play games and they feel they can compete. Also the league could change and it could also bring Davison and Grand Blanc in the league as well.

Lakeland:

The Eagles could be a nice fit to the OAA and are in need of a fresh start in a new league. The problem with Lakeland is that there is no realignment process in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association and with the Eagles being in the KLAA North with Waterford Kettering, Waterford Mott, Walled Lake Western, Walled Lake Northern, and Walled Lake Central. You could see why there could be a reason why they want out.

PRO’S: If Lakeland were to join the OAA they would bring stability based on their location and create rivalries with Clarkston, Farmington, North Farmington, Groves, Seaholm, Bloomfield Hills, and West Bloomfield. They will bring a softball and volleyball presence into the league and also the realignment process also helps as well.

CONCERNS: It could be hard to walk away of a rivalry with Milford and the Walled Lake’s but there aren’t much concerns with the league. It makes sense and their location is perfect as well as they would connect the north from the south.

TOP RIVAL IF JOIN LEAGUE: North Farmington

PROJECTION: Lakeland has to be seriously be considered to join the league. I think the Eagles will join the league in the very near future.