Brea Key to Deal of the Century
Some county high schools had their wishes granted when a final league realignment plan for the 2002-06 cycle was approved during a meeting of principals from Orange County high schools Thursday at Fountain Valley High.
Representatives from Century League schools Canyon, El Modena and Villa Park left scratching their heads after the five-hour meeting, even though it was their plan that twice missed passage by a single vote and was ultimately approved after a last-minute trade.
The final proposal was hatched after representatives from each league met for 15 minutes after three ballots couldn’t produce the necessary two-thirds vote among the 63 principals in attendance.
The representatives swapped two teams--replacing Valencia with Brea Olinda--on the Century League’s plan, which was put together by Villa Park Principal Fran Roney following a preliminary meeting last week, and that was enough to gain the additional votes.
The top proposal, which gained 47 of 63 votes, must be submitted to the Southern Section office for final approval, which is expected in October.
The Century League’s new look has Brea Olinda, Tustin and El Dorado replacing Foothill, Orange and Santa Ana Valley. Canyon, El Modena and Villa Park would remain in the league.
Though the Century’s original plan varied only with the addition of Valencia instead of Brea Olinda, many of those who spoke against the proposal said it was creating a “powerhouse of a league.”
El Modena Athletic Director Alan Clinton said the athletic programs at the three incoming schools are currently among the best in their respective leagues.
Orange and Santa Ana Valley requested a move based on competitive equity, but Foothill never wanted to vacate a league they’ve been in since 1976, Knight Athletic Director Vince Brown said.
Brown said because Tustin asked out of the Golden West, the Knights were forced to move to make room in the Century League, which was the only available fit for the Tillers. Tustin administrators made it clear they didn’t want to share a league with Foothill, fearing athletes would leave for the neighboring campus.
Under the proposal, the Empire, Orange, Golden West and Pacific Coast leagues will also have changes in fall 2002.
Valencia, which did not want to leave the Orange League, would move to the Empire, along with Orange Lutheran. Valencia Principal Armando Marentes voiced concerns several times during the meeting, but the final two proposals had the Tigers on the move.
Century High would join the Orange League along with Santa Ana Valley, satisfying Century Principal Pat Machado, who protested the Sea View League’s plan to send her school into the Century League.
The Golden West League was hoping to increase from five to six teams, but under the proposal that has Tustin leaving, it would instead have seven with the addition of Costa Mesa, Estancia and Orange.
The Pacific Coast League would also increase to seven teams, but not until Beckman opens in 2003. Also joining the Pacific Coast League are Calvary Chapel and Tesoro, scheduled to open in the fall.
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The Proposal
Principals from Orange County’s high schools, by a two-thirds vote, approved a proposal for league realignment for the 2002-06 school years. It will be submitted to the Southern Section committee on league realignments for final approval. The proposal, submitted by Villa Park Principal Fran Roney, was amended. If approved by the Southern Section, here is a look at how the leagues would stack up beginning in the fall of 2002:
CENTURY LEAGUE
Current
Canyon
El Modena
Foothill
Orange
Santa Ana Valley
Villa Park
2002-06
Brea Olinda
Canyon
El Dorado
El Modena
Tustin
Villa Park
EMPIRE LEAGUE
Current
Century
Cypress
El Dorado
Katella
Kennedy
Loara
2002-06
Cypress
Katella
Kennedy
Loara
Orange Lutheran
Valencia
GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE
Current
Ocean View
Saddleback
Santa Ana
Westminster
Tustin
2002-06
Costa Mesa
Estancia
Ocean View
Orange
Saddleback
Santa Ana
Westminster
ORANGE LEAGUE
Current
Anaheim
Brea Olinda
Magnolia
Savanna
Valencia
Western
2002-06
Anaheim
Century
Magnolia
Santa Ana Valley
Savanna
Western
PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE
Current
Corona del Mar
Costa Mesa
Estancia
Laguna Beach
Northwood
University
2002-06
Beckman
Calvary Chapel
Corona del Mar
Laguna Beach
Northwood
Tesoro
University
SEA VIEW LEAGUE
Current
Aliso Niguel
Irvine
Laguna Hills
Newport Harbor
Woodbridge
2002-06
Aliso Niguel
Foothill
Irvine
Laguna Hills
Newport Harbor
Woodbridge
NOTE: All other leagues would remain the same.