Driscoll closing won't affect new conference

The imminent closing of Driscoll High School will not affect the Suburban Christian Conference’s plan on receiving two postseason football berths this fall, according to a ruling by the Illinois High School Association.

IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman notified St. Edward Athletics Director P.J. White this week that the newly formed league’s two-division setup for football could proceed with both champions receiving automatic playoff bids even though Driscoll will not participate.

Driscoll is being forced to close at the end of this school year in part because of a dwindling enrollment and the poor economy. The storied Highlanders football program, which won seven consecutive state championships from 2001-07, was to have competed in the Blue Division this fall along with Aurora Central Catholic, Marian Central, Marmion Academy, Montini and St. Francis.

According to a letter from Hickman, those schools will receive forfeit victories if they are unable to find football opponents to replace Driscoll. Hickman also stated in the letter that the Blue Division champion will receive an automatic playoff bid for only the upcoming season. IHSA rules state that a conference or division in a conference must have six or more teams to earn the champion a playoff berth.

The Gold Division for football of the Suburban Christian Conference includes Aurora Christian, Chicago Christian, Guerin Prep, Immaculate Conception, St. Edward and Wheaton Academy.

The Suburban Catholic Conference will expand into the Suburban Christian Conference beginning in the fall with the addition of Aurora Christian, Chicago Christian, Guerin Prep and Wheaton Academy. The divisions for all sports will be different — even for boys and girls basketball -- based on creating a competitive atmosphere.

The news of Driscoll’s closing creates an opening with just 11 schools remaining for the 2009-10 school year.

But, with Hickman’s ruling this week, the football dilemma has been solved. At least for the upcoming season.

“That’s really the biggest thing we needed to deal with so far since we found out that Driscoll would be closing,” said White. “No one wanted to see Driscoll close. But now we’re looking to see if any school would be interested in joining for the 2010-11 school year.”

White said when the league decided to expand no school was left “sitting on the bench.”

“Driscoll closing came as a shock to everyone,” he said. “We’re now looking for a new candidate.”