Honeoye Falls – Lima School District
Athletic League Affiliation Questions and Answers
June 2008

1.  What is our current league affiliation?
We are currently a member of the Livingston County league, and an Associate Member of the Monroe County League. Due to a lack of sponsorship in Livingston County, the following teams currently compete in the Monroe County league:
• Boys Lacrosse
• Girls Lacrosse
• Girls Tennis
• Alpine Skiing
• Nordic Skiing
• All of our Modified A teams

2.  What HF-L sports teams would be impacted by the league change?
• Girls Basketball
• Boys Basketball
• Girls Soccer
• Boys Soccer
• Football
• Wrestling
• Boys/Girls Swimming
• Boys Golf
• Volleyball
• Baseball
• Softball
• Boys Tennis
• Boys /Girls Track
• Cheerleading
• Cross-Country

3.  What schools would our teams compete against in the Monroe County league?
Our teams would compete against Monroe County schools in the same size classification.  The Monroe County League is divided into 3 divisions, much the same as the Livingston County League. Each division maintains it own standings and all-star teams. HF-L would be placed in Division 3, the smallest of the Divisions, with the following schools:
• Batavia
• Brighton
• Eastridge
• Pittsford – Sutherland
• Pittsford – Mendon
• Victor
• Greece Odyssey
• In addition, teams would have the option of playing crossover contests against other Monroe County league schools.

4.  How is school size determined?
The NYSPHSAA uses student enrollment data for grades 9-11 to determine classification sizes for athletics. This data is required to be reported to the NYS Education Department each October through the BEDS system. These numbers are used for the following year’s classifications.

5.  Does our school size impact our current league schedule? 
Yes.  The Livingston County league states that if there is a size difference of two classes or more, schools can opt to not play.  This year, Livingston County schools opted out of games in basketball, swimming and soccer.

6. Would we have the option of playing Monroe County Schools from other Divisions?
Via crossover games, we would have the option of playing the following schools, if we so choose. Each sport would have the choice of 0, 2, or 4 crossover games:
• Fairport
• Penfield
• Webster Schroeder
• Webster Thomas
• Hilton
• Rush Henrietta
• Gates-Chili
• Brockport
• Spencerport
• Churchville-Chili

* In Cross-Country, multiple schools attend an event.  This would include some of these schools. However, schools compete by Division in these events.

7. Would a change in league affiliation impact our traditional rivalries?  
No.  Traditional rivalries will be maintained during the non-league portion of the schedule.  For example, the longstanding relationship between HF-L and Livonia would continue using this format. 

8.  What benefits would our student athletes see by changing leagues? 
• Compete against schools that are closer in size, location and sectional classification
• Reduce travel time and costs for away contests, and more importantly, the time associated with transporting student athletes to away games.  This would leave our students with more time to spend on academics and other interests they wish to pursue.

9.  What benefits would our student athletes lose by changing leagues?
• Boys and Girls Soccer teams would play 16, not 18, games
• Modified B seasons would be reduced from 4 to 3. Male students at the modified level who participate in both wrestling and basketball would have to choose one or the other, because both are offered at same time. Based on this year’s participation data, there are 0 students who participated in both modified wrestling and modified basketball.
• Currently, Cheerleading teams in Monroe County only perform at home contests
 
  10.  What is the decision making process that will determine our league status?
• A  District-wide Committee was formed to review data. This committee consists of parents, BOE members, coaches, student-athletes and the Athletic Director
• A student-athlete focus forum was held to share data and gather feedback
• Varsity coaches were surveyed and provided input
• A public forum will be held on June 11th to share data and gather feedback
• The committee will review feedback, consider next steps and develop a recommendation to be presented to the Board of Education on 6/24/08.
• The Board of Education will complete a first review of the recommendation on 6/24/08.  Action will be taken at a subsequent Board meeting.