Greater Cleveland Conference 2024

Predict GCC Winner

  • Brunswick

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Cleveland Heights

    Votes: 16 47.1%
  • Euclid

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Mentor

    Votes: 16 47.1%
  • Medina

    Votes: 1 2.9%
  • Shaker Heights

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Strongsville

    Votes: 1 2.9%

  • Total voters
    34
  • Poll closed .
Really, it doesn't matter what either of us think. But, has of December 9th, 2024 Brunswick is still a member of this conference and gets a say in who can join and I can still urge them to vote no to Riverside.

Nobody twisted Mentor's arm to leave the LEL. You chose to join the NOC and we all got lumped into the GCC when the NOC fell apart because SL and SWC didn't want the 4 westside schools at the time.
Mentor left the LEL for better competition and more communities that are similar to us. We clearly wanted a better conference across all sports regardless of travel

We aren't going back to the LEL again. We'd go independent before joining what is left of it

Mentor actually owned the GCC name and was the leader in forming it when the NOC fell apart.

The SL and SWC still don't want Strongsville and Brunswick. So you're stuck despite clearly wanting to leave

Yes you two both have votes. 2. The other 5 have votes too. 5.

I'm betting if Riverside applies that it would be a unanimous 7 votes saying yes. It only makes sense for scheduling and they fit the conference

Strongsville played Mentor for years in many sports out of conference before the NOC. I doubt their AD cares about a few trips like that

But again, they'll do what they want. I don't control it. I'll live with whatever happens and go to games Mentor plays in. Strongsville we have history with

Brunswick ... I mean I live close ish to the school and they have good facilities and basketball. Can't say Id miss them in football as they aren't a rival and have only beaten us once with a record of 1-16 or 1-17 I believe.

But yeah I want them in a conference with us. If they leave sometime, so be it. We will move on and be fine
 
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The PD is reporting that Mac Stephens has resigned at Cleveland Heights. That's a huge blow to that program. It's paywalled so can't read the article.

Despite a disappointing season, there is a lot of talent set to return at Heights (if those players don't transfer out), so should be a job that draws quite a bit of interest.
 
Mentor left the LEL for better competition and more communities that are similar to us. We clearly wanted a better conference across all sports regardless of travel

We aren't going back to the LEL again. We'd go independent before joining what is left of it

Mentor actually owned the GCC name and was the leader in forming it when the NOC fell apart.

The SL and SWC still don't want Strongsville and Brunswick. So you're stuck despite clearly wanting to leave

Yes you two both have votes. 2. The other 5 have votes too. 5.

I'm betting if Riverside applies that it would be a unanimous 7 votes saying yes. It only makes sense for scheduling and they fit the conference

Strongsville played Mentor for years in many sports out of conference before the NOC. I doubt their AD cares about a few trips like that

But again, they'll do what they want. I don't control it. I'll live with whatever happens and go to games Mentor plays in. Strongsville we have history with

Brunswick ... I mean I live close ish to the school and they have good facilities and basketball. Can't say Id miss them in football as they aren't a rival and have only beaten us once with a record of 1-16 or 1-17 I believe.

But yeah I want them in a conference with us. If they leave sometime, so be it. We will move on and be fine
I was going to ask this question a couple days ago, but does anybody know what percent of schools need to be in favor to add a member? Right now, unless Lorain is able to vote on things like this despite not technically being in the league yet, there may only be six voting schools. If all it takes is 2/3rds in favor, the eastside schools can override Strongsville and Brunswick if those two vote no on Riverside. But if it takes 3/4th, then Strongsville and Brunswick could block Riverside.

With that being said, I would be surprised it either would vote no on Riverside. Neither school would be excited about it, but there doesn't seem to be a better alternative at this moment. The Suburban fell through and those schools appear to be backup options if the SWC loses any current members. Going independent wouldn't save on travel even if they both played both Ed's and Ignatius every year (neither would do that) and both also somehow got both Padua and Holy Name to agree to play them every year (which won't happen). They would still have to fill three more spots between Weeks 3-10 and there aren't enough local teams that would be available since the SWC, Suburban and Cleveland West all have eight members.
 
The PD is reporting that Mac Stephens has resigned at Cleveland Heights. That's a huge blow to that program. It's paywalled so can't read the article.

Despite a disappointing season, there is a lot of talent set to return at Heights (if those players don't transfer out), so should be a job that draws quite a bit of interest.
Wow, that is a surprise and I agree a blow to the program. He was just given the Browns Coach of the Year honors. Their assistant coach Kahari Hicks seems very invested right along Stephens. I wonder if he is taking over?
 
Wow, that is a surprise and I agree a blow to the program. He was just given the Browns Coach of the Year honors. Their assistant coach Kahari Hicks seems very invested right along Stephens. I wonder if he is taking over?
Matt Ghoul has a quote on Twitter from Stepehens, who said he is "ready for a new challenge." I'm guessing he probably landed a college assistant job. If so, good for him and hopefully whoever takes over at Heights can keep the talent that is there and continue to build what Stephens started.

At least Strongsville took big strides last year and despite losing a bunch of really good seniors, has a lot of talent returning/coming up to maybe push Mentor in year two under Trusnik. If not, it looks like Mentor could have even more a cakewalk to the title than they had this year.
 
Matt Ghoul has a quote on Twitter from Stepehens, who said he is "ready for a new challenge." I'm guessing he probably landed a college assistant job. If so, good for him and hopefully whoever takes over at Heights can keep the talent that is there and continue to build what Stephens started.

At least Strongsville took big strides last year and despite losing a bunch of really good seniors, has a lot of talent returning/coming up to maybe push Mentor in year two under Trusnik. If not, it looks like Mentor could have even more a cakewalk to the title than they had this year.
I expect it to be a very clean path to a league title, even though Mentor will take a step back. Cleveland Heights had a magnificent 2023 season, but a lot of it was built on Davis. We saw the issues they had this past season in the games without him. I know that they had the freshman RB who put together some good games, but Davis was a Mr Football type of talent.
 
I expect it to be a very clean path to a league title, even though Mentor will take a step back. Cleveland Heights had a magnificent 2023 season, but a lot of it was built on Davis. We saw the issues they had this past season in the games without him. I know that they had the freshman RB who put together some good games, but Davis was a Mr Football type of talent.
The freshman Elijah Harris IMO has a chance to be just as good a Davis was, but looking back over their roster and they had more seniors than I thought they did, including Ahmere Atkins, who I thought was a junior last year, but see he is a senior. More I think, Stephens stepping down is probably about this being a good chance to hand the program off on what could be a rebuilding year and focus on his training facility.

In terms of the GCC, Mentor's only challenge may come from Strongsville, which if you go by last season isn't much of a challenge. But I think Strongsville will close the gap between the two. On top of Trusnik looking like he will be a good coach, Strongsville's biggest issue in their 15 years of mediocracy has been the lack of playmakers, especially on offense. But it looks like they will have some game-breakers at RB and WR. And while Beard graduates, the QB who started most of 2023 (as a sophomore) is back, so he for all intents and purposes can be considered a returning starter at the most important position. Plus, the staff utilized Storm Miller way better than the former staff did on defense and sprinkled him in on offense (something he did quite a bit as a freshman). Their losses are on the offensive line (the area Strongsville has usually been solid at even in their bad/mediocre years) and in the secondary. The secondary had four, three year starters back there last year yet it was the weakest part of the defense, so new blood may be a good thing.

With Stephens out at Cleveland Heights, unless Brunswick makes a big jump in year two under their new coach, it's looking pretty bleak again in terms of depth. Euclid still appears to be a work in progress, Shaker seems like they were a one-year fluke (2023) and back to being a bottom feeder. Lorain has had good records in the LEL the past two year, but maybe wins one league game.

Edit: I forgot Medina, but you can probably mark them for a weak No. 4 at this point.
 
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Mac went to Garfield Heights? I guess I don't know enough about the program, but feels like an odd move to me? He said "Ready for a new Challenge" which you would think would indicate a college job, but moving to a struggling DII school ?
 
Mac went to Garfield Heights? I guess I don't know enough about the program, but feels like an odd move to me? He said "Ready for a new Challenge" which you would think would indicate a college job, but moving to a struggling DII school ?
Well, it is definitely a new challenge.

There is obviously a lot we don't know. Nobody would consider a move to Garfield Heights as a move up the ladder. A very odd move indeed with limited information we have. Does he live in Garfield and wants to coach his kids or something (I don't know his family situation). Was Mac quietly pushed out of Heights? Is Garfield offering him a "Sonny Johnson" kind of deal there that he couldn't pass up? It has to be something like that.
 
Well, it is definitely a new challenge.

There is obviously a lot we don't know. Nobody would consider a move to Garfield Heights as a move up the ladder. A very odd move indeed with limited information we have. Does he live in Garfield and wants to coach his kids or something (I don't know his family situation). Was Mac quietly pushed out of Heights? Is Garfield offering him a "Sonny Johnson" kind of deal there that he couldn't pass up? It has to be something like that.

Sonny Johnson deal.. lol. I mean public schools can only pay so much for a head coach with exception to offering limited jobs that aren't teaching positions, and even those you don't keep your tenure anymore. Now if he went to a private school, that would be different.. they could pay him whatever they wanted.
 
With Stephens out at Cleveland Heights, unless Brunswick makes a big jump in year two under their new coach, it's looking pretty bleak again in terms of depth. Euclid still appears to be a work in progress, Shaker seems like they were a one-year fluke (2023) and back to being a bottom feeder. Lorain has had good records in the LEL the past two year, but maybe wins one league game.

Edit: I forgot Medina, but you can probably mark them for a weak No. 4 at this point.
Brunswick's season next year will all depend on how much Barnett developes at QB and if they can approve on OL/DL. Inside GCC play, Mentor was their only blow out lost. Heights, Medina and Strongsville were all close games and they beat Euclid and Shaker with no problems.
 
Maybe Garfield Heights will be applying for the 8th spot and that's why they went after Mac Stephens to make it more appealing to the GCC.
Garfield would certainly be more appealing to the westside schools for travel. The Bulldogs would also be more competitive than Riverside in boys basketball.
 
I was going to ask this question a couple days ago, but does anybody know what percent of schools need to be in favor to add a member? Right now, unless Lorain is able to vote on things like this despite not technically being in the league yet, there may only be six voting schools. If all it takes is 2/3rds in favor, the eastside schools can override Strongsville and Brunswick if those two vote no on Riverside. But if it takes 3/4th, then Strongsville and Brunswick could block Riverside.

With that being said, I would be surprised it either would vote no on Riverside. Neither school would be excited about it, but there doesn't seem to be a better alternative at this moment. The Suburban fell through and those schools appear to be backup options if the SWC loses any current members. Going independent wouldn't save on travel even if they both played both Ed's and Ignatius every year (neither would do that) and both also somehow got both Padua and Holy Name to agree to play them every year (which won't happen). They would still have to fill three more spots between Weeks 3-10 and there aren't enough local teams that would be available since the SWC, Suburban and Cleveland West all have eight members.
As a Padua fan, I'd love to see Brunswick or Strongsville on the schedule. Sure, there's a size and talent pool deficit, but we've had likely losses or bigger school games on the schedule 3 seasons in a row. Perkins, Bishop Watterson, Youngstown Ursuline plus Big Walnut next year. Played evenly matched NoRo last 3 seasons too. Even some other lesser opponents are a long haul like Sandusky, Salem, and Alliance. I think Padua, at least the fans, would be ecstatic to get closer games.
 
I thought a big complaint was that the Eastside schools besides Mentor don't have good overall athletic programs? Can't compete in many and don't have good jv or freshmen levels either ..

And now people would want Garfield hts over Riverside? Doesn't really seem to fit.

Also I don't think it endears a prospective new league to take a coach from a current member school. Does the opposite if anything
 
I thought a big complaint was that the Eastside schools besides Mentor don't have good overall athletic programs? Can't compete in many and don't have good jv or freshmen levels either ..

And now people would want Garfield hts over Riverside? Doesn't really seem to fit.

Also I don't think it endears a prospective new league to take a coach from a current member school. Does the opposite if anything
We might not agree on everything, but if the 8th member comes down between Riverside or Garfield, Riverside is 100% the best option for the GCC. Garfield and the other LEL schools should add Brush and get to 6 members. That should stabilize them for the foreseeable future.
 
We might not agree on everything, but if the 8th member comes down between Riverside or Garfield, Riverside is 100% the best option for the GCC. Garfield and the other LEL schools should add Brush and get to 6 members. That should stabilize them for the foreseeable future.
I think for every school in the league besides Mentor and maybe Euclid, Garfield Heights would be in their best interest for travel and filling a gap in scheduling.

If the majority of the schools want to play Riverside once a year in non-revenue sports like soccer or lacrosse where Riverside would be more competitive, they can play them out of conference. I think it would be difficult for Brunswick, Strongsville, Lorain and even Shaker and Heights to get over the travel hump if Riverside and Garfield both apply for one spot.
 
I think for every school in the league besides Mentor and maybe Euclid, Garfield Heights would be in their best interest for travel and filling a gap in scheduling.

If the majority of the schools want to play Riverside once a year in non-revenue sports like soccer or lacrosse where Riverside would be more competitive, they can play them out of conference. I think it would be difficult for Brunswick, Strongsville, Lorain and even Shaker and Heights to get over the travel hump if Riverside and Garfield both apply for one spot.

I read bwickbluedevils post the other day and figured it was tongue and cheek. But more I think about it, Garfield Heights very well may have more support than Riverside. Like you alluded to, Mentor is the only school 100 percent that would favor Riverside.

Euclid, maybe. But I think they would lean Garfield. Lorain has LEL history with Garfield, so if they have a vote, I definitely think it goes to Garfield. Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights I would think vote Garfield too (closer and again recent LEL ties).

For Strongsville/Brunswick, Riverside for sure fits better if you are taking all-sports, but like you mentioned, those schools can do an non-conference game/event if they want. And football scheduling is the only benefit of getting the league back up to 8. Garfield Heights now with potential with Mac Stephens, may be appealing. For Strongsville, the distance between Garfield Heights and Medina is pretty much the same. Garfield Heights would, I believe, be the second closest school for both Strongsville and Brunswick (outside of each other).

As for all sports, both Strongsville and Brunswick are competitive in most of them where they don't care about scheduling Ed's/Ignatius (or pick your top notch Catholic in those sports), where they wouldn't want to do that for football. Plus, football is the only sport where you are more or less pigeon holed into having to play on a certain date. So, scheduling non conference for volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball etc., isn't that hard.

Garfield Heights also adds two marquee boys basketball games to the conference schedule, which I don't think means much. But it's the one program Garfield has that is premier statewide.
 
I read bwickbluedevils post the other day and figured it was tongue and cheek. But more I think about it, Garfield Heights very well may have more support than Riverside. Like you alluded to, Mentor is the only school 100 percent that would favor Riverside.

Euclid, maybe. But I think they would lean Garfield. Lorain has LEL history with Garfield, so if they have a vote, I definitely think it goes to Garfield. Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights I would think vote Garfield too (closer and again recent LEL ties).

For Strongsville/Brunswick, Riverside for sure fits better if you are taking all-sports, but like you mentioned, those schools can do an non-conference game/event if they want. And football scheduling is the only benefit of getting the league back up to 8. Garfield Heights now with potential with Mac Stephens, may be appealing. For Strongsville, the distance between Garfield Heights and Medina is pretty much the same. Garfield Heights would, I believe, be the second closest school for both Strongsville and Brunswick (outside of each other).

As for all sports, both Strongsville and Brunswick are competitive in most of them where they don't care about scheduling Ed's/Ignatius (or pick your top notch Catholic in those sports), where they wouldn't want to do that for football. Plus, football is the only sport where you are more or less pigeon holed into having to play on a certain date. So, scheduling non conference for volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball etc., isn't that hard.

Garfield Heights also adds two marquee boys basketball games to the conference schedule, which I don't think means much. But it's the one program Garfield has that is premier statewide.
Riverside is a growing community that could be D1 soon. Garfield hts is not

Riverside is a safe community with a good overall sports program. Garfield hts is not

You care about jv and freshman levels etc?.. don't want to hear it if Garfield hts is chosen over Riverside

If Strongsville and Brunswick push for Garfield hts over Riverside, I don't want to hear any complaints about non revenue or girls sports being bad or you guys being in the old LEL.

You would be putting travel distance above everything else in this case

This is of course not even talking about the point that Strongsville and Brunswick really aren't in position to blame others for football lacking. They are the main culprits for that after all ..

From my perspective if Garfield hts is added, so be it . I won't go there regularly just like with Lorain and Euclid types. Would take a really good game for me to go there. I'll just go to another public school matchup just like when Mentor schedules private schools.
 
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I think for every school in the league besides Mentor and maybe Euclid, Garfield Heights would be in their best interest for travel and filling a gap in scheduling.

If the majority of the schools want to play Riverside once a year in non-revenue sports like soccer or lacrosse where Riverside would be more competitive, they can play them out of conference. I think it would be difficult for Brunswick, Strongsville, Lorain and even Shaker and Heights to get over the travel hump if Riverside and Garfield both apply for one spot.
In another thread, I mentioned the GCC should get to 12, I’m currently doing the math and there is a pretty clear path to 12. If Garfield and Riverside are both interested in the GCC, that’s 9 members. Brush and Chardon are both also homeless so if you add them that gets you to 11. Then for 12 maybe Bedford? Anyways, if travel is a huge concern then splitting it into two makes sense to me.

GCC non-$$ Div A
Mentor
Riverside
Strongsville
Brunswick

Div-B non-$$
Everyone else

Football Div-A
Mentor
Riverside
Chardon
Cle Heights
Euclid
Shaker

Football Div-B
Strongsville
Brunswick
Lorain
Garfield
Bedford
Brush

(2 crossovers)

Basketball Div-A
Mentor
Garfield
Brush
Strongsville
Brunswick
Cle Heights?

Basketball Div-B
Lorain
Bedford
Chardon
Riverside
Shaker
Euclid

This seems quite plausible to me. Or just make divisions a sports by sports basis.

Also, for non-$$ sports This opens up quite a bit of flexibility with scheduling. Brunswick, strongsville, mentor can schedule Privates, SL, SWC teams to fill the gaps and get a really solid schedule. Riverside can do the same but maybe schedule teams like north and south, chardon, CVC teams etc.
 
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In another thread, I mentioned the GCC should get to 12, I’m currently doing the math and there is a pretty clear path to 12. If Garfield and Riverside are both interested in the GCC, that’s 9 members. Brush and Chardon are both also homeless so if you add them that gets you to 11. Then for 12 maybe Bedford? Anyways, if travel is a huge concern then splitting it into two makes sense to me.

GCC non-$$ Div A
Mentor
Riverside
Strongsville
Brunswick

Div-B non-$$
Everyone else

Football Div-A
Mentor
Riverside
Chardon
Cle Heights
Euclid
Shaker

Football Div-B
Strongsville
Brunswick
Lorain
Garfield
Bedford
Brush

(2 crossovers)

Basketball Div-A
Mentor
Garfield
Brush
Strongsville
Brunswick
Cle Heights?

Basketball Div-B
Lorain
Bedford
Chardon
Riverside
Shaker
Euclid

This seems quite plausible to me. Or just make divisions a sports by sports basis.

Also, for non-$$ sports This opens up quite a bit of flexibility with scheduling. Brunswick, strongsville, mentor can schedule Privates, SL, SWC teams to fill the gaps and get a really solid schedule. Riverside can do the same but maybe schedule teams like north and south, chardon, CVC teams etc.
I mean we are the LEL at this point. At least it gets Chardon and Riverside
 
Let's also not forget Euclid, Heights, Lorain and Shaker all have a vote on who joins. Those 4 will be the ones who decide between Garfield and Riverside.

Euclid and Shaker were D2 last year, so it really doesn't matter that Riverside might become a D1.

If we're concerned about safe communities than I guess Euclid and Lorain are out then. I would rather go to a game at Garfield then ever go back to Euclid.

Let's get off of Brunswick/Strongsville lacking in football. In another thread from cardzfan, Mentor has had good to great qb play since 2007. Where Strongsville has not had an above average to good qb since Pagel (08'), that I can remember. Now I'm more familiar with Brunswick and in that span the Devils have had 4 qb that were above average to good. Bedevelsky (07') was by far the best of the 4 and then it's a toss up between Manco (08'), Fynck (13'-14') and Fritz (20'-21').

An for poaching or going to another school in the same conference, Coach Laird did it between Strongsville and Medina and Coach Fasko did it between Brunswick and Medina.
 
Let's also not forget Euclid, Heights, Lorain and Shaker all have a vote on who joins. Those 4 will be the ones who decide between Garfield and Riverside.

Euclid and Shaker were D2 last year, so it really doesn't matter that Riverside might become a D1.

If we're concerned about safe communities than I guess Euclid and Lorain are out then. I would rather go to a game at Garfield then ever go back to Euclid.

Let's get off of Brunswick/Strongsville lacking in football. In another thread from cardzfan, Mentor has had good to great qb play since 2007. Where Strongsville has not had an above average to good qb since Pagel (08'), that I can remember. Now I'm more familiar with Brunswick and in that span the Devils have had 4 qb that were above average to good. Bedevelsky (07') was by far the best of the 4 and then it's a toss up between Manco (08'), Fynck (13'-14') and Fritz (20'-21').

An for poaching or going to another school in the same conference, Coach Laird did it between Strongsville and Medina and Coach Fasko did it between Brunswick and Medina.
Why should we get off the Brunswick and Strongsville lacking in football? I mean turnabout is fair play. Can't really criticize the inner ring burbs for their sports and not take accountability for your own school's lack of contribution in the biggest money making sport

I wouldn't have taken Lorain so you're preaching to the choir here. I said as much. Said really the only advantage is getting to 8 for football. To me they were a dumb add besides that. Not a good trip for anybody in the conference and lacking in major sports

There's a difference between having 1 or two communities that aren't the safest vs making the conference the LEL plus Mentor , Brunswick and Strongsville


Euclid was an original member of the GCC. Now you would be making a conscious choice to take Garfield hts over Riverside

If you guys want that then it shows that travel time is your priority. You lose any right to complain about their sports program as a whole or JV/freshman levels of the inner ring suburbs
 
Haven’t heard anything , but these will primarily be 2026 changes right so probably coming soon.
 
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