Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: OHSAA

  • OHSAA Announces Suspension of all Contact-Sport Scrimmages

    OHSAA Announces Suspension of all Contact-Sport Scrimmages

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – With Ohio High School 2020-2021 sports seasons set to start on August 1st, coaches, parents, fans, and student-athletes are wondering when school vs. school competition will be allowed to resume. That particular question was answered on Tuesday when the OHSAA sent out a newsletter confirming that for the time being all contact-sport school vs. school scrimmages will be suspended.

    The OHSAA’s Interim Executive Director, Bob Goldring, stated in the newsletter that the goal is to work with the Governor’s Office to make sure everything that they are implementing for the 2020-2021 sports seasons will be “in concert.”

    OHSAA’s Interim Executive Director, Bob Goldring

    “We are on track for the low/non-contact sports of golf, girls tennis and volleyball to begin practices on August 1, with school vs. school scrimmages and contests to follow per their normal OHSAA permissible dates and regulations,” Goldring said, “We are on track for the contact sports of football, soccer, field hockey and cross country to begin practices on August 1. We are waiting for more guidance from the Governor’s Office and Department of Health on when school vs. school competition can begin and are hopeful of that permission being granted for our normal contest dates later in August. To that end, school vs. school scrimmages are SUSPENDED. We do not anticipate that suspension changing soon and there remains the possibility that no scrimmages will be permitted in the contact sports of football, soccer, and field hockey. We will certainly keep you updated if that changes.”

    Goldring said that the OHSAA plans on continuing to have conversations about both field hockey and cross country being put into the low/non-contact category.

    After speaking with the Governor’s Office, Goldring explained that one thing was very clear, the end goal is to make sure Ohio’s student-athletes get the opportunity to “learn the lifelong lessons and receive the social, emotional, and physical benefits that the privilege of participating in education-based interscholastic athletics programs provide.”

    “We all have to be accountable for following all mandates and requirements. By not following the mandates and requirements, we are putting our student-athletes at risk of not only contracting and/or spreading COVID-19 but also at risk of losing the season for themselves, their families, their teammates, their schools and their communities. Mandates and requirements put into place must be followed in order for the Governor’s Office to continue to allow us to participate,” Goldring said.

    According to Goldring, the OHSAA has been working hard to finalize contest day mandates and requirements that he says will be strictly enforced.

    “Our administrators, coaches, and student-athletes will be held accountable for non-compliance. So as to not cause alarm, these mandates and requirements will be to elevate many of the recommendations that were provided in the OHSAA Return to Play Recommendations document to the level of mandates and requirements and should not require wholesale modifications to your game-day protocol,” Goldring added.

    If you missed the OHSAA Return to Play Recommendations click on the following article link we released last week: https://lovelandmagazine.com/ohsaa-releases-updated-covid-19-return-to-play-recommendations/.

    As rules and regulations change within the sports world due to COVID-19, here at Loveland Magazine we will continue to bring you the latest updates so that you and your family know what to expect if your child or someone you know is participating in Ohio High School athletics this year! Stay tuned to the Sports 411 With Me, Cassie Mattia!

  • OHSAA Releases Additional “Return To Play” Recommendations

    OHSAA Releases Additional “Return To Play” Recommendations

    Loveland, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) made another sports announcement on July 22nd giving more specific “Return to Play” guidelines for the sports of cross country, field hockey, football, golf, soccer, and tennis.

    The updated guidelines also included a Student Pledge that all student-athletes are now required to sign before participating in a sport this Fall.

    Below is the OHSAA’s 2020 COVID-19 Individual Sports Recommendations:

    The OHSAA’s Interim Executive Director, Bob Goldring spoke about the updated sport-specific guidelines in the newsletter the OHSAA released on July 22nd.

    “The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has presented the OHSAA with a myriad of challenges. The Executive Director’s Office, with support from its Board of Directors and feedback from the Ohio Joint Advisory Committee on Sports Medicine, the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Ohio Department of Health along with support from the Ohio Lt. Governor’s Office, offer a Return to Play document as recommendations on how our member schools can consider approaching the many components of ‘opening up’ sports with the objective of commencing the fall sports seasons on August 1, 2020. The OHSAA fully intends to support its member schools and the student-athletes who desire to compete in interscholastic athletics and will continue to assess all areas as more information becomes available. We encourage you to especially pay attention to the early pages of the document closely since they indicate that many of the recommendations can ONLY be utilized if mandates from the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Order are modified.“

    Included below are the updated “Return To Play” recommendations brought to you by the OHSAA.

    1. The OHSAA understands that the physical and mental benefits of participation in education-based interscholastic athletics are numerous and are heightened even more during this pandemic. Students who participate learn life lessons in an environment that cannot be duplicated. Academic achievement, the development of leadership, and social skills as well as the mental health benefits are known to be greatly enhanced in students who participate in our programs compared to those who do not. There is no doubt that the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has already resulted in thousands of our students missing out on these life-shaping educational experiences over the past several months, and we certainly hope we can return to some type of normalcy as it relates to interscholastic athletics soon. With that being said, in order for interscholastic athletics to occur, we all need to follow the protocols that have been put in place.
    2. The recommendations within the Return to Play document for the resumption of the varsity, non-varsity, and 7th-8th grade interscholastic athletic seasons and participation opportunities have been made with the health, safety, and well-being of all student-athletes in mind.
    3. The risk of coronavirus transmission will still be present to some degree as interscholastic athletics activities begin in August and will continue until there is a widely available vaccine or therapeutic care, possibly through the 2020-21 school year.  While the science about COVID-19 is evolving, it will be important to remain vigilant and nimble to respond to new developments. Students and their families, along with school personnel, must recognize these risks and implement best practices to reasonably mitigate these risks. Participation in school activities is voluntary and every individual will need to evaluate the risk versus the benefits of athletics participation. Those immunocompromised students and staff, or those who live with family members with elevated health concerns, should evaluate associated risks of participation and may choose not to participate. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, and also may be produced when yelling, cheering, singing and spitting. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about six feet). Risk mitigation strategies should be aimed at reducing the likelihood of a person being exposed to respiratory droplets coming from another person. Every school is different, and every athletics activity is different. Certain mitigation strategies may be feasible in one school or for one activity, but not another.
    4. Schools should attempt to significantly mitigate exposures by:
      • Maintaining physical distancing while not on the field or court of play;
      • Requiring face coverings while not on the field or court of play;
      • Reducing or greatly eliminating unnecessary travel;
      • Reducing or eliminating sharing of common equipment, and
      • Reducing or eliminating contact frequency with student-athletes from schools and non-interscholastic programs outside of each school’s league/conference or normal competition sphere.

    As things develop and are consistently adapting to make Ohio High School sports the safest possible during the COVID-19 pandemic Loveland Magazine will continue to bring you the latest local sports updates! We wish all those planning on participating in high school sports this year the best of luck and to please adhere to the safety guidelines so that fans, family, and other students may enjoy watching you compete this year!

  • OHSAA Releases Updated COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations

    OHSAA Releases Updated COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Over the last several months’ life as we know it has been changing and evolving, including the lives of the Loveland High School Student-Athletes. Coaches, Parents, and Spectators have been waiting patiently to see if and when the Fall 2020-2021 sports seasons will begin and what the stipulations will be due to the rampant COVID-19 Pandemic.

    On Wednesday, July 22nd, Bob Goldring, the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s (OHSAA) Interim Executive Director, issued updated guidelines and “COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations.”

    In the new guidelines, Goldring and the OHSAA team emphasized that participation in school activities is voluntary. Goldring and the OHSAA team stated that every individual will need to evaluate the risk versus the benefits of athletics participation.

    “Those immunocompromised students and staff, or those who live with family members with elevated health concerns, should evaluate associated risks of participation and may choose not to participate,” OHSAA said.

    The OHSAA Executive Director’s Office, the Office’s Official Board of Directors, the Ohio Joint Advisory Committee on Sports Medicine, and the National Federation of State High School Associations, joined forces to help write an updated “COVID-19 Return to Play” document. The document includes recommendations on how member schools can consider approaching the many components of “opening up” sports with the objective of commencing the fall sports seasons on August 1.

    “The recommendations within this document for the resumption of the varsity, non-varsity and 7th-8th grade interscholastic athletic seasons and participation opportunities have been made with the health, safety, and well-being of all student-athletes in mind,” the OHSAA document said.

    Below are some of the topics the OHSAA document covers:

    Game Day Face Masks/Coverings

    Sidelines and Benches

    Game Day Venue Restrictions and Spectators

    COVID-19 Pre-Participation Screening

    Failed Screening or Positive COVID-19 Test Action Plan

    Positive Test – Action Plan

    If You Had Close Contact With an Infected Person

    Contest-Day Screening Procedures

    Game Day Event Staff

    Concessions

    Athletic Training Room and Locker Rooms

    Travel Considerations The following items are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED

    The following is the complete document from OHSAA stating the “COVID-19 Return to Play Recommendations” that was issued on Wednesday, July 22nd.

    For more of the latest updates on the OHSAA and Loveland High School Sports stay tuned to the Sports 411 With Me, Cassie Mattia!

  • LHS’s Andy Cruse Gives Preview of up and Coming Football Season!

    LHS’s Andy Cruse Gives Preview of up and Coming Football Season!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – As student-athletes across Ohio are gearing up to start practicing and competing, the Loveland Tigers Football Coach, Andy Cruse, is more than excited to get his team ready for the 2020-2021 season!

    Over the past several months, all contact sports in the state of Ohio were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing student-athletes to take it upon themselves to prepare for their up and coming sports seasons. Ohio coaches of course tried to impact their student-athletes as much as possible virtually, but for many high school athletes having coaches physically there motivating them through tough practices is what the athletes are saying they both want and need!

    Recently OHSAA released guidelines for all Ohio High School sports programs in regards to what the protocol will be once practices and competitions begin. With that being said I decided to check in with LHS’s Head Football Coach Andy Cruse to see just how these guidelines will affect the football program, the student-athletes, the coaches, and the loyal Tiger spectators. Here is the Loveland Tiger Football 411 featuring Coach Andy Cruse!

    Cassie   Have you started in-person practices yet with the team and coaches and if so are there any restrictions?
    Coach Cruse   We began workouts with restrictions on June 1st. We have done football-related activities for a while now, but just recently started having limited contact during on-field training. We officially begin our season on August 1st.
    Cassie Have you had fewer players come out for the team because of COVID-19 and the Pay-to-Play implementation?
    Coach Cruse   Surprisingly, no. We have had the best attendance since I’ve been the Head Coach at Loveland. I truly believe that quarantine made our athletes appreciate football and being together more. Many of them had to be very creative in their workouts without a weight room, so being able to train in our beautiful weight room has been great for all of them.
    Cassie Have you named team captains and if so who are they?
    Coach Cruse  We have not. This is something we will do early on in August. We have many players that have really emerged as leaders since last December.
    Cassie How are you and your staff handling the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions? Has it been tough or have you successfully managed the situation?
    Coach Cruse Our staff has handled it very well. Head Coaches did a walk thru on everything with Brian Conatser, our AD before we started workouts and then my staff and I did a walk-thru of how the workouts would go before we started back up on June 1st. My staff and I, like the rest of the athletic department, are taking every precaution necessary and are following the guidelines that the state has put out. Initially, it was very different than what we were used to. We have told our players from the beginning of quarantine that we must adjust and adapt moving forward and that is exactly what we have done.
    Cassie Do you have any returning Seniors or stand-out players from last year? What are your expectations for this year in regards to wins and losses?
    Coach Cruse We return 9 out of 11 starters on offense and many defensive players return with varsity experience. This team is quietly gaining more and more confidence. It has been a joy to be around them since June 1st as it is very clear they enjoy working hard and being around each other. My expectations are to be competitive in every game we play and to respond to adversity that is thrown our way this season. Senior standouts include QB Calvin Cloud, OL Zach DeWitt, WR Tyler Lake, WR Aaron Morton, DE Gabe Ogdan, and TE/LB Austin Lodor. There are a number of other players we expect big things from this season too. As a whole, we are seeing a lot of competition for playing time, which is what we want.
    Cassie The ECC recently added 3 more schools to the conference making the conference that much more competitive! This year who are you excited to compete against and who do you think will be challenging to compete against?
    Coach Cruse The ECC is a terrific conference and will continue to be even more challenging. In our conference for football, every week is an absolute battle. There are no easy games on our schedule but we embrace that challenge and are excited about it!
    Cassie Are you able to hold any fundraisers for the athletes or events to help with the pay-to-play fees?
    Coach Cruse Unfortunately we missed out on a couple of things we had planned due to COVID-19. We will be selling discount cards until July 30th around the community. Be on the lookout for our players and please help support Loveland Athletics!
    Cassie In your own words, talk about your experience with the quarantine, COVID-19, and trying to be the best coach you can be during this time.
    Coach Cruse Quarantine was a unique time for all people for a lot of reasons. For me personally, I really enjoyed the time with my family, especially being with my daughter every single day! She is 8 months old now, so seeing how much she has changed in a few months and being with her every step of the way has been a blast. It was time I would’ve never gotten had COVID-19 not happened.
    Overall, I looked at quarantine as an opportunity to get better every day. Just like we stressed with our players, I tried to have a routine every day to make sure I was productive.  I am not a huge reader, but during quarantine, I quickly became one. I read about a book every 1-2 weeks and really enjoyed it. There were also a number of virtual football clinics that my staff and I attended as well.
    Aside from that, we had a team meeting every week, at least one position meeting a week with players and a number of staff meetings. I grew to really look forward to these interactions with our players and coaches. When it all started, we decided as a staff that we wanted to make sure we were in constant communication with our players. We felt that checking in with them to see how things were going at home, how school was going, and then how workouts were going was going to be very important. We also took it as an opportunity to get closer as a team by getting to know each other better.
    Check out the Loveland Tigers football schedule for this up and coming season!
    2020-2021 Loveland Tigers Football Schedule
    8/28 Sycamore
    9/4 at Princeton
    9/11 Turpin
    9/18 West Clermont
    9/25 at Milford
    10/2 Little Miami
    10/9 at Walnut Hills
    10/16 at Kings
    10/23 Anderson
    10/30 at Winton Woods
    For more of your latest local sports news stay tuned to the Sports 411 With Me, Cassie Mattia! Oh and by the way…GO TIGERS!
  • Come Out to Support the LHS Athletes at the Annual Athletic Boosters Golf Scramble!

    Come Out to Support the LHS Athletes at the Annual Athletic Boosters Golf Scramble!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The LHS Athletics community has come together in light of the “Pay-To-Play” announcement to support the Tiger student-athletes that now have to pay $310 per sport. The Loveland Athletic Boosters, a non-profit organization composed of adult volunteers, have been and continue to be one of the biggest advocates for the LHS student-athletes as they are consistently coming up with ways to generate income for the LHS Athletic Department. Money is raised typically by running concessions, fundraising, and Booster Membership fees.

    Recently, the Loveland Athletic Boosters created a Facebook group that is focused on raising money for the pay-to-play fees for LHS student-athletes. Click the article link below to learn about the Loveland Athletic Boosters Facebook group and how you can “Adopt-A-Tiger!”

    Local Facebook Group Fundraises for “Pay-to-Play” LHS Student-Athletes!

    Now that July is here, the Boosters are now preparing for one of their biggest fundraisers of the year, the 21st Annual Athletic Boosters Golf Scramble, which is set to be held on July 27th at O’Bannon Creek Golf Club. There are several different packages that you can grab to support the Tiger athletes that are listed below!

    The Golf Scramble registration, buffet lunch, and practice time on the golf range will start at 11 AM and end at 1 PM. At 1 PM the shotgun will sound kicking off the scramble officially. At 6:45 PM dinner and awards will be held.

    The Annual Golf Scramble will feature course challenges such as the longest drive and the closest to the pin, a Par 3 challenge, a Par 5 challenge, a putting contest on the practice green, a Mulligans sale, and a Hole-In-One Challenge sponsored by Performance Lexus.

    The deadline for registration is Friday, July 17th. To register now click the REGISTRANT INFORMATION tab below!

    2020 Athletic Boosters Annual Golf Scramble

    When
    Monday, July 27th
    Lunch starts at 11:00 AM and the shotgun start will occur at 1 PM
    Dinner and awards will follow immediately after the golf scramble
    Where
      
    O’Bannon Creek Golf Club, 6842 Oakland Rd, Loveland, OH 45140
    Ticket options
    Foursome                       $600.00
    Individual Golfer             $175.00
    Tee or Green Sponsor     $150.00
    Coach                            $100.00 or
    Dinner only                    $45.00
    To learn more about the Loveland Athletic Boosters and the Annual Golf Scramble you can visit their Facebook Page or website at http://lovelandathleticboosters.com/.
  • LHS’s Cross Country Team releases 2020 schedule!

    LHS’s Cross Country Team releases 2020 schedule!

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – As high school sports across Ohio begin to enter back into in-person practicing and competitions Fall sports teams are beginning to release their 2020 competition schedules including LHS’s Cross Country Team.

    On Wednesday, LHS’s Cross Country Twitter page released its 2020 Cross Country schedule, describing it as “very fun and challenging!”

    https://twitter.com/lovelandcc1/status/1275899167383130120

    Be sure to come out and support the Tigers beginning August 15th at the OHSAA Season-Opener at Fortress Obetz, a multi-purpose sports, and entertainment complex in Obetz, Ohio. The bleacher system alone holds 6,500 people and the standing room holds near 20,000 people. Fortress Obetz opened in 2017 and was the former site of Columbus Motor Speedway.

    GO TIGERS!!

     

     

  • LHS Begins Three-Phrase Process in Reopening of Athletic Facilities

    LHS Begins Three-Phrase Process in Reopening of Athletic Facilities

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – The time has finally come to begin the reopening of high school athletic facilities! Loveland High School announced last Thursday on their school website that they would begin a three-phase process following and according to the guidelines given by the OHSAA for the reopening of their athletic facilities, which began on June 1st.

    After the initial announcement, Loveland’s Athletic Department reassured the community that they have been in communication with all teams about the expectations and guidelines so that all of the student-athletes and coaches are both protected and safe.

    Loveland High School Athletic Director Brian Conaster

    LHS’s Athletic Director, Brian Conatser, explained more in-depth as to what the three-phrase reopening process entails and what his Athletic Department is going to do to ensure the safety of Loveland’s student-athletes and coaches.

    “This is a three-phase process that follows the Ohio Governor and Health Department’s Responsible Restart Ohio. Our coaches are extremely committed to working with the Athletic Department to implement the COVID-19 procedures and guidelines,” Conatser explained, “As an Athletic Department, we walked through the process as a team, fine-tuning our plan prior to our athletes returning to campus. The plan is extremely thorough and detailed, as the safety of our student-athletes and coaches are our primary concern.  Here are a few guidelines that our coaches and student-athletes are taking as we begin our return to high school athletics;
    1. Every student-athlete and coach MUST complete the 2020-21 Final Forms COVID-19 waiver prior to the 1st training session.
    2. Every student-athlete and coach MUST complete the LHS COVID-19 Self-Evaluation Google Form every day prior to each skills training session.
    3. Social distancing includes a 6-foot separation. Entrances and Exits are outlined and over-communicated to avoid congregation and lingering of student-athletes.
    4. Facial coverings must be worn when in the building (gyms, fitness center, athletic training room). Facial coverings may be removed during the training session.
    5. Sanitation products and stations are located at the entry and exit of our inside facilities.  We also ask EVERY student to bring: Water bottle, Sanitation wipes, Hand sanitizer, and Facial covering.
    6. All equipment, balls, etc. must be wiped down at the beginning and end of each training session.
    7. Three phases: Phase 1: May 26th – June 8th / Phase 2:  June 9th – June 22nd / Phase 3: June 23rd – July 6th”

    Conatser told us that June 1st was a great day to be a Tiger because all of LHS’s student-athletes, coaches, and parents played such an important role in the reopening process.

    “From parents dropping off their kids in designated spots to everyone following the COVID-19 guidelines, day one was a success,” Conatser said, “The coaches deserve an overwhelming amount of credit! These outstanding professionals made sure their programs had ALL of the information well ahead of time via communication for ZOOM, Google Hangout, Email, Twitter, etc. We are looking forward to a safe and productive summer of skill training. Welcome back TigerNation! Go Tigers!”

    Here at Loveland Magazine, we are so happy to see the Tigers able to train and eventually compete again! We wish all the athletes and coaches the best of luck! Train Hard and Run Like a Tiger! Stay tuned for the latest Loveland Sports 411 with me, Cassie Mattia!

  • OHSAA Plans to Expand the 2021 Football Playoffs

    by Cassie Mattia

    Columbus, Ohio – OHSAA released some excellent news for Ohio High School Football teams on Wednesday when they announced their Board of Directors approved expanding the playoff qualifiers from 8 teams to 12 teams per region.

    OHSAA’s Board voted 9-0 to expand the OHSAA Football playoffs to 12 teams per region starting in the 2021 season. The expansion was proposed by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association. OHSAA’s Director of Communications, Tim Stried, sent out a press release explaining how the new football playoff expansion will work.

    “During the first round of the playoffs, the top four seeds will have a bye, while the No. 12 seed will play at the No. 5 seed, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8. In the second round, the No. 1 seed will play the winner of the 8 vs. 9 game; the No. 2 seed will play the winner of 6 vs. 11; the No. 3 seed will play the winner of 7 vs. 10 and the No. 4 seed will play the winner of 5 vs. 12.

    The expansion will increase the number of football playoff qualifiers from 224 to 336. Last year there were 709 schools in Ohio that played 11-man football. Football is the only OHSAA team sport in which not every school qualifies for the postseason.

    ‘We still have details to work out regarding the format and specific season dates, but this vote by the Board gives us the green light to finalize those details for 2021,’ said Beau Rugg, Senior Director of Officiating and Sport Management for the OHSAA and the Association’s football administrator. ‘We are thankful for the Board’s support on this proposal, which will bring all the great things of playoff football to 112 additional schools and communities.’

    Rugg also noted that the football finals in 2021 are expected to end during the same weekend as previously scheduled (Dec. 2-5). Schools will still be permitted to play 10 regular-season contests.

    The higher seeded teams will have the opportunity to host their playoff games during the first and second rounds of the playoffs.

    Loveland Tigers vs. Lebanon in September of 2016

    The OHSAA football playoffs began in 1972 when only 12 schools qualified for the playoffs (four schools in each of three classes). Expansion first came in 1980 when the OHSAA changed to five divisions with eight teams each (40 total qualifiers). A sixth division was added in 1994 (96 total qualifiers) and the number of qualifiers was increased to eight schools per region in 1999 (192 total qualifiers). A seventh division was added in 2013 to bring the number of qualifiers to 224.”

    Stay tuned for the latest Ohio and Loveland sports news!

     

  • OHSAA’s Latest High School Sports Announcements and Updates!

    OHSAA’s Latest High School Sports Announcements and Updates!

    Fortress Obetz, a 50-acre multi-purpose complex on the Southeast side of Columbus, committed to hosting the OHSAA Cross Country Championships for the next five years.

    by Cassie Mattia

    Columbus, Ohio – Over the past several weeks many Ohio High School athletes and coaches have been awaiting updates on when they can start up team instruction and competitions again. Last week OHSAA provided several updates on both future competitions and the no-contact ban for Ohio’s High Schools giving hope to many dedicated coaches and athletes across the state.

    Loveland High School Athletic Director Brian Conaster said that he received the up-date from OHSAA but is proceeding cautiously before making decisions or announcements to his coaches and athletes. “I am waiting for more clarification and guidance from the OHSAA and other state and local bodies later this week. Once I have this, I can then make a more informed statement,” he said.

    New venue for State CC Championships

    Fortress Obetz is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment complex in Obetz, Ohio. Its bleacher system holds 6,500 people. Including standing room for events such as concerts, Fortress Obetz can hold nearly 20,000 people. It opened in 2017 on the site of the former Columbus Motor Speedway. Google image of Fortress Obetz

    On April 29th, OHSAA announced that Fortress Obetz, a 50-acre multi-purpose complex on the Southeast side of Columbus, committed to hosting the OHSAA Cross Country Championships for the next five years. Last Wednesday, Director of Communications, Tim Stried sent out a press release describing the Fortress Obetz facility.

    “The Ohio High School Athletic Association cross country state championships are moving to Fortress Obetz, a 50-acre multi-purpose sports complex with a 6,500-seat grandstand located in Obetz on the southeast side of Columbus, OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass announced Wednesday.

    Fortress Obetz opened in 2017 on the former site of the Columbus Motor Speedway. The racing that will now take place there in early November represents one of the largest high school cross country events in the country, with more than 11,000 fans.

    Jerry Snodgrass gives the State Champion Div. I Women’s Soccer trophy to Loveland in this 2017 Loveland Magazine file photo

    Of significance, much of the course will be visible from the 6,500-seat grandstands, which will lead to a greater experience for fans and participants.

    ‘We can’t wait for our student-athletes and Ohio’s entire cross country community to experience the state championships at Fortress Obetz,’ said Snodgrass. ‘This facility is so impressive, from the course layout for the competitors to be more spectator-friendly for the fans and we are thrilled to sign a five-year agreement. We would like to thank National Trail Raceway for hosting the state championships for the last nine years and doing an outstanding job as our host.’

    Fortress Obetz was built to host sporting events, concerts, festivals, and more. It was the home of the Ohio Machine professional lacrosse team from 2017-19. The facility has five video boards, concessions, restrooms, and a huge parking lot.

    ‘The Village of Obetz is extremely proud and excited to partner with the OHSAA,’ said Steve Adams, National Director of Athletic Operations and Facilities Promotion. ‘We feel our Memorial Park and the Fortress is perfectly suited for the OHSAA Cross Country State Tournament. We have created a safe and challenging course for the runners and kept the spectator experience in mind as well.’

    The grandstand includes 1,100 flip-down seats, 2,000 bench-back seats, and 3,400 bleacher seats.

    OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass

    Scioto Downs, located just south of Columbus, hosted the OHSAA cross country state championships from 1985 through 2010 before the facility added a casino. National Trail Raceway in Hebron, 20 miles east of Columbus, hosted the state championships from 2011 through 2019.”

    #howicompete campaign

    On May 5th, OHSAA released that they would be launching a campaign in collaboration with Allied Organizations called #howicompete. This campaign is meant to encourage student-athletes to train on their own at home while school facilities are closed. The #howicompete campaign will collect and promote messages and videos posted by OHSAA members, media, and allied organizations in hopes that both the messages and videos will inspire athletes to train as hard as they can during the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic. The press release below from OHSAA goes more in-depth as to what the #howicompete campaign is and how it will benefit student-athletes.

    “With school facilities shuttered, student-athletes are not permitted to gather together, therefore the #howicompete campaign encourages training on their own at home and with instructions sent electronically by their school coaches.

    Student-athletes and teams are encouraged to set goals and compete against themselves and others while complying with social distancing guidelines. Content will be promoted through the OHSAA’s social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) on its handle @OHSAASports.

    ‘The health and safety of all Ohioans is our top priority, but we also want student-athletes to stay focused and motivated to pick up where they left off when school sports return,’ said OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass. ‘There are so many things that kids can do on their own or with their parents and siblings. Especially something like running and walking, which is a habit that can stay with them for a long time and keep them healthy as adults.’

    Organizations such as the Ohio high school coaches associations, Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA), and many more are asked to help encourage and promote content from student-athletes and tag the OHSAA using #howicompete. The OHSAA is also excited to share this campaign in support of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, which is encouraging stories from competitors whose resilience is helping them Live Forward during this unprecedented health crisis.”

    UD to host OHSAA women’s basketball tournaments

    The recently renovated University of Dayton Arena.

    On May 12th, OHSAA made the announcement that the Ohio High School Women’s Basketball State Tournament would be hosted at the recently renovated University of Dayton for the next three years. In the past, UD has not only hosted 125 NCAA Basketball Tournament games but the state of the art facility has also been the home court for March Madness more than any other athletic facility in the country! The Arena itself can seat up to 13,000 fans. OHSAA’s Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass expressed his excitement for the UD venue in the press release below.

    “We are very excited to sign a three-year agreement for our member schools to experience UD Arena,’ Snodgrass said. ‘Southwest Ohio loves and supports basketball and the people at the University of Dayton have made it clear that they really want this state tournament on their campus. We believe that we have found a great home for the Women’s basketball state tournament.’

    Photo by the University of Dayton

    UD Arena recently completed a transformation project that was the largest construction effort in the University’s history. It is regarded as one of the nation’s premier basketball facilities to go along with fan support that consistently ranks among the best in college basketball.

    ‘We’re very proud that the OHSAA has entrusted us to host the women’s basketball state tournament at the University of Dayton Arena for the next three years,’ said Scott DeBolt, Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of Dayton and Executive Director of UD Arena. ‘The same ingredients that make UD Arena the ideal place for the NCAA First Four – community support and excitement for the game of basketball, our facilities, staff, and tournament hosting experience – will help create lifelong memories for the young women who come to Dayton to play in the state tournament and their school communities.’

    In the 45 years of the OHSAA girls basketball state tournament, it has been hosted at The Ohio State University 44 times (all but 1986 when it was hosted at the University of Akron). However, there are now a limited number of dates available to use OSU’s Jerome Schottenstein Center or St. John Arena in March.

    The 2021 girls basketball state tournament is scheduled for March 11-13. The 2021 OHSAA boys basketball state tournament will be played at St. John Arena March 18-20. There is currently no host site in place for the men’s basketball state tournament in 2022.”

    Loveland Magazine readers stay tuned for more of the latest 411 for both Loveland and Ohio sports!

  • Loveland Magazine’s David Miller Brings Home OHSAA / SOUTHWEST DISTRICT 2020 Media Award

    Loveland Magazine’s David Miller Brings Home OHSAA / SOUTHWEST DISTRICT 2020 Media Award

    by Cassie Mattia

    Loveland, Ohio – Over the past few months, citizens all across Ohio have been searching for a light at the end of the tunnel. In the midst of the Stay At Home Order, many people have been doing what they can to spread positivity in light of all the negative situations regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. That bit of positivity made it’s way to Loveland Magazine’s front door in the form of OHSAA’s legendary Media Award!

    In February Loveland Magazine’s Editor in Chief, David Miller was notified by OHSAA that he had been selected for the 2020 Media Award.

    “In 1991, the Ohio High School Athletic Association initiated the Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Program. One aspect of the program was to honor those “special individuals” who bring great recognition to our high schools, coaches, and especially, our athletes through media’s different forms. Each of Ohio’s six athletic districts was asked to put a process in place to gather nominations of individuals who fit this special category.” – https://ohsaa.org/SWDAB-Home/Media-Service-Awards

    When Miller found out he had won the Media award he had no idea that Loveland High School and the Athletic Department were responsible for nominating him for the prestigious award! Click the photo below to check out what Miller’s reaction was to winning OHSAA’s Media Award.

    Loveland Magazine’s very own David Miller is Recognized by OHSAA and LHS

     

    Luckily Miller was able to experience somewhat of a celebration for his achievement before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Ohio. On Saturday, February 1st LHS’s Athletic Department honored Miller in front of a packed LHS gym in between quarters of the Loveland Men’s basketball game (above photo).

    Immediately after leaving the Cintas Center, David sent this photo to those who he un-invited to attend because he was concerned about them contracting the COVID 19 virus.

    Nearly a month after being recognized at LHS, Miller was honored once again only this time during the finals of Ohio’s Division I Men’s High School basketball game at Xavier University’s Cintas Arena. The ceremony took place on Sunday, March 8th between quarters 3 and 4. Originally Miller and 8 of his guests were supposed to be treated to a sit-down dinner and then shortly after watch Miller honored on the court with the Media Award, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Miller’s guests stayed safely at home cheering Miller on from afar! Thankfully Miller was still honored as planned just in front of a smaller, socially distanced crowd of the friends he had wanted to attend the Cintas event with him. “It broke my heart to dis-invite, my friends and supporters, to the dinner,” Miller said, “But when I awoke that Sunday morning reading about more warnings about staying away from large crowds, that is what I needed to do.”

    Miller’s disappointment was because his guests had played such an important, role for decades, for the attention he alone was receiving.

    David Miller in all his glory receiving the 2020 Media Award at Xavier’s Cintas Center in March

    Tim Stried, OHSAA’s Director of Communications, when asked about Miller reminisced on the moment he first him in 2013.

    Tim Stried, OHSAA’s Director of Communications

    “I first got to know David in 2013 when Loveland made its run to the 2013 Division II football state championship,” Stried said, “I read much of his coverage of the team in the playoffs and I remember his excitement and professionalism covering the team in Canton for the state championship game.”

    OHSAA also included quite the biography on Miller on their website after he was honored with the 2020 Media Award. Below is an excerpt from OHSAA’s website.

    “Mr. David Miller Editor and publisher of the Loveland Magazine. Mr. Miller has covered the Loveland schools for forty years. He plays a central role in training aspiring journalists from Loveland High School. He designed and branded the logo used by the Loveland High School Booster’s Club. He has published 1,400 sports stories in his magazine. He attends the annual athletic college signing day and promotes the honorees by producing a video of this event. Throughout his community, he initiated Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build two houses. In 2006, the Loveland Magazine was awarded the prestigious Booth Spirit Media Award beating out all other media or stations in the Tri-State area. Recognition for going the extra mile in making his community healthy and strong. Congratulations Mr. Miller for doing a great job in promoting our athletes and coaches!” – https://ohsaa.org/SWDAB-Home/Media-Service-Awards

    “It has been a gift from God that I’ve had the privilege of being around the Loveland High School’s athletic program for so many years,” Miller said, “I couldn’t imagine a more thoughtful and kind group of people. It was like biting into the most delicious apple pie that someone else mixed up all just the right ingredients into and baked for me. And, I got an award for eating it? I thank them for nominating me. And, I thank all of the current and former athletes and their parents for making attending their sporting events so rewarding and fun,” Miller added, “I am extremely grateful to Assistant Director of Student Athletics Eric Fry who spearheaded the nomination process, Director of Student Athletics Brian Conatser, Athletic Administrative Assistant Kristy Brulport, Site Manager Jake Elfers, and LHS Principal Peggy Johnson for the help and hospitality they have always given me. I also want to express my gratitude to Loveland Magazine’s LHS interns, Ricky Mulvey, Willie Lutz, Chris Shoals, Dean Parker, Sam Smith, and Matt Huether for all of the great sports reporting they did for our readers over the past decade. Also, Jen Morrison and David Burig for their incredible sports photography.”

    Community of Loveland – please join me in saying CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. David Miller for receiving OHSAA’s 2020 Media Award! I think we can all agree that there would be no LOVE in LOVE-LAND without David Miller!

    PAST MEDIA AWARD WINNERS

    1997-98: Ted Landis, Brookville Star; Warren Johnson, WPFB Radio, Middletown
    1998-99: Dave Long, Dayton Daily News; Duane Bachman, WPTW Radio, Piqua
    1999-2000: Don McDermott, Greenville Daily; Dave Schutte, Cincinnati Enquirer
    2000-2001: Mike Hartsock, WHIO TV, Dayton; Mark Huber, Wilmington News
    2001-2002: Kert Radel, WMOH Radio, Hamilton; Bill Liermann, WSWO Radio, Wilmington
    2002-2003: Jack Gordan, WPFB Radio, Middletown; Joe Neves, WPTW, Piqua
    2003-2004: Tom Gambel, DSA Sports, Cincinnati; John Popovich, WCPO Radio, Cincinnati
    2004-2005: Omar Williams, WHIO-TV, Retired; Ron Jackson, Dayton Daily News; Guy Fogle, WHIO TV
    2005-2006: Roger Barger, WKFI WSWO Sabina; Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati Enquirer
    2006-2007: Tom Archdeacon, Dayton Daily News; Ken Barhorst, Sidney Daily News
    2007-2008: Sonny Fulks, WPTW, 1590WPTW.com; Jerry Nardiello, Middletown Journal
    2008-2009: Enos Pennington, www.newrichmond.localsportsradio.com; Richard Crawford, The Clermont Suns Newspaper
    2009-2010: Chick Ludwig; Jack Pohl, WDTN-Channel 2 Sports Director.
    2010-2011: Mike Dyer, Cincinnati Enquirer; Ron Nunnari, Englewood Independent
    2011-2012: Scott Ward, WTGR, Greenville; Jack Kramer, ScoresBroadcast.com
    2012-2013: Dirk Allen; George Vogel
    2013-2014: Mark Slaughter, WCPO-Channel 9; Rob Kiser, Piqua Daily Call.
    2014-2015: Matt Hammond, Bellefontaine Examiner; Eric Frantz, J.J. Huddle
    2015-2016: Marc Pendleton, Dayton Daily News; Rick Cassano, Cox Media Group
    2016-2017: Debbie Juniewicz, Cox Publications (Dayton Daily News, Springfield/Middletown news); David Fong, Troy Daily News, Piqua Daily Call, Sidney Daily Call
    2017-2018: Elise Jesse, WLWT, Cincinnati; Wade Linville, Brown County Press, Ripley Bee, News-Democrat.
    2018-2019: Dale Barger, Greenville Daily Advocate; John Bombatch, Xenia Gazette.

    Read this other recent article about our Publisher…

    Local business owners recognized at LCSD board meeting