Ten schools, including Vermilion Local School District, have formally announced their departure from the Sandusky Bay Conference (SBC) to form a new athletic league: the Northern Ohio Conference (NOC). The league is set to launch in the 2026–2027 school year, with a focus on competitive balance, reduced travel, and stronger scheduling consistency among member schools.
The Schools Making the Move
The following districts will make up the NOC:
- Bellevue
- Clyde
- Tiffin Columbian
- Edison
- Huron
- Norwalk
- Perkins
- Port Clinton
- Sandusky
- Vermilion
The decision stems from months of conversation among athletic directors and administrators. Discussions began in January 2025, as schools in the SBC’s Lake and Bay divisions sought a league structure that better matched school size and competition levels.
Vermilion’s Role and Timeline
Vermilion’s transition away from the SBC has been in motion for months. Athletic Director Andy Stillman spoke to the Vermilion Board of Education in March, outlining the district’s intention to join a new league alongside similarly sized schools. At the time, the group of schools had not finalized a name. With the announcement of the Northern Ohio Conference, that plan has now taken formal shape.
District officials have stated that no sports programs will be cut as part of the transition. The move is expected to preserve key rivalries while creating a more stable conference alignment for scheduling and postseason readiness.
Next Steps
While full schedules and divisional breakdowns have yet to be released, the ten founding schools have agreed to collaborate closely over the next year to build out logistics and bylaws.
Vermilion will continue competing in the SBC through the 2025–2026 school year.
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