PP - you sound like a troll!

Don't know about Prep but Landon has a fantasic arts program - their band and strings program is very well respected.

Don't know about Prep, but Landon is primarily a sports school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are talking about prep schools that seem more concerned about sports than learning. The only thing one hears about these schools are sports and sex, behavior scandals. WhAt is Landon's or Prep's identity without sports?

The thread topic is athletic conference membership. That's why there is so much discussion of sports in it.

Thread with sports as topics won't contain a lot about "learning".

Wiith or without this thread, Landon and Prep seem to have a death grip on each other in terms of sports. From an outsider and frequent reader of these message boards, it seems that these schools seem disportiantely focused on athletics. Well, let me rephrase that, athletics seem to dominate the conversation when it comes to these schools. So the question still stands, What is the schools' identity outside the athletic program.

Anonymous wrote:We are talking about prep schools that seem more concerned about sports than learning. The only thing one hears about these schools are sports and sex, behavior scandals. WhAt is Landon's or Prep's identity without sports?

The thread topic is athletic conference membership. That's why there is so much discussion of sports in it.

Thread with sports as topics won't contain a lot about "learning".

We are talking about prep schools that seem more concerned about sports than learning. The only thing one hears about these schools are sports and sex, behavior scandals. WhAt is Landon's or Prep's identity without sports?

Competitive Balance, to me, means the number of boys to choose from to field the various teams, and secondarily, the extent "recruiting" impacts the size/skill on teams.

When you have all boys schools with 75-150 in a class versus co-ed schools with 100 +/- in a class, by default, you have a competitive imbalance.

I am not sure why Potomac or Flint Hill would put themselves in a position to be at a structural disadvantage to STA and Landon. Granted, they would be on par with Bullis and SSSA, but still.

And to the person who was discussing Bullis earlier, they may not have a choice to join a Virginia based league, which would leave the MAC or PVAC as their logical options. STA and Landon are the ones that could be left without a short-term home.

[quote=Anonymous]So you are suggesting that the IAC drop Prep but add Flint Hill and Potomac?

You would still have the imbalances that exist today, but on a different scale. At some point, the two new schools will realize they are not drawing from as many boys to field their teams. I am not sure why they would go for this change from the MAC.

[/quote]


I would venture to guess that is what happened at the IAC president's meeting held earlier this weeks. We knpw three things about the meeting from our friend, Josh Barr, of the WPost.

1. That a vote to expel Prep from the IAC was on the agenda, but was not brought up.
2. That there was a discussion about "competitive balance" in the IAC.
3. That new members were discussed.

From what many of us know about the history of the IAC and the historical positions these schools have taken, the guess is that it’s the VA schools (SSSA and EHS) that are interested in adding new schools. And it is likely these schools would include Potomac and Flint Hill.

A barrier to adding these new schools might be their concern about the current athletic power imbalance in the Conference. Hence the discussion of achieving "competitive balance". Of course it’s a crazy idea as its almost impossible to achieve any kind of balance in a Conference.

So you are suggesting that the IAC drop Prep but add Flint Hill and Potomac?

You would still have the imbalances that exist today, but on a different scale. At some point, the two new schools will realize they are not drawing from as many boys to field their teams. I am not sure why they would go for this change from the MAC.

Anonymous wrote:It seems like if a Virgina league was created, Bullis could join the MAC without too much of an issue. STA and Landon would have to seek alternatives.

Doubtful Bullis would join the MAC. Many Bullis people were excited that Farquhar left because he was destroying Bullis athletics. Joining the MAC would be a step downward for them. If EHS and SSSAS left to start a new league, Bullis would likely scramble to join them. And if Prep joined the WCAC, Landon would try to join this new league as well.

It seems like if a Virgina league was created, Bullis could join the MAC without too much of an issue. STA and Landon would have to seek alternatives.

Landon is in a league of their own.

The IAC is more than just Prep and Landon. EHS, Bullis, STA and St. Stephen's. If EHS and SSSAS leave to combine a VA prep league, Bullis and Landon could be scrambling. STA would probably be invited given academic excellence and geographic proximity.

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell dropped out because athletics are not a priority there and they couldn't compete, especially in the glamour sports.

Potomac and FH could compete in most sports with Bullis, EHS, SSSAS and STA. Sports that demand numbers like football and lacrosse are harder. But a school like PS would see a rise in kids who play football and/or lacrosse if they were part of the IAC.

Prep is a different animal because they have such a huge numbers advantage. Prep should do everyone a favor and join the WCAC.

A mega conference like Baltimore's MIAA makes sense, but there are too many egos involved to hope it will ever take place.

Without Prep and with Potomac and Flint Hill doesn't the IAC strongly resemble the MAC? What's the difference? Landon?

Sidwell dropped out because athletics are not a priority there and they couldn't compete, especially in the glamour sports.

Potomac and FH could compete in most sports with Bullis, EHS, SSSAS and STA. Sports that demand numbers like football and lacrosse are harder. But a school like PS would see a rise in kids who play football and/or lacrosse if they were part of the IAC.

Prep is a different animal because they have such a huge numbers advantage. Prep should do everyone a favor and join the WCAC.

A mega conference like Baltimore's MIAA makes sense, but there are too many egos involved to hope it will ever take place.

The main issue here is single-sex schools versus co-ed schools. As I understand it, it was the primary reason Sidwell dropped out of the IAC in the 1990's.

This would continue to be an issue for Flint Hill or Potomax in a league with single-sex St. Albans, Landon and Prep.

I am not sure if the MIAA model would necessarily work either, but it is certainly one that the local leagues ought to explore.

(Isn't the ISL on the girls side already using the model with the AA and A?)