The Southwestern Conference Council of Superintendents, Principals and Athletics Directors announced Wednesday (January 15) that Elyria City Schools accepted its invitation to join the Southwestern Conference. The Pioneers will begin competition in all sports beginning with the 2021-22 academic year.
“We are excited to welcome Elyria to the SWC,” said Dan May, Midview Athletics Director and President of the Conference’s ADs for 2019-20. “Geographically, it makes sense. In addition, Elyria has strong academics as well as solid extra-curricular and co-curricular programs. They have also made a huge investment into their athletic facilities, which will blend well with what we have to offer in the SWC.”
The addition of Elyria City Schools marks the Southwestern Conference’s first expansion since Avon, Lakewood, Midview and North Ridgeville joined the conference in the fall of 2015. It also increases the SWC membership back to 10 districts. Lakewood announced last year that it would depart for the Great Lakes Conference after the 2019-20 school year.
Elyria High School Principal Timothy Brown is pleased with the decision to move into the Southwestern Conference. “It’s an exciting opportunity for our student athletes, families and community at-large to join the SWC,” said Brown. Elyria Athletics Director Heather Beck shared similar sentiments. “We are excited to be joining the SWC,” said Beck. “We have played many of the SWC schools over the years and we are looking forward to strengthening the relationships we have built with the athletes, coaches, and administration.”
About the SWC: Established in 1937, the Southwestern Conference is a high school athletic league within the Ohio High School Athletic Association comprised of ten schools in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties in Northeast Ohio. Today the Southwestern Conference provides athletic competition for young men and women in 25 sports. The SWC also provides academic competition, a college fair and an annual instrumental and vocal music program to round out a varied and sufficient program of opportunities for the students of the member schools.
