- Ottawa-Kent Conference
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The Ottawa-Kent Conference is an athletic league located in West Michigan. It has member schools from Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties. It has 51 member schools that partake in athletics. According to the MHSAA they have the main offices located at Grandville High School. The current commissioner is Jim Haskins. Dave Bos is an assistant commissioner of the conference.
Contents
Members
School Mascot Affiliation Class Population Size County Year Admitted Division Allendale Falcons Public B 589 Ottawa 1994 Silver Belding Redskins Public B 687 Ionia 1995 Blue Byron Center Bulldogs Public B 989 Kent 1958# Green Caledonia Fighting Scots Public A 1210 Kent 1970 Gold Calvin Christian Squires Private C 474 Kent 1984 Silver Cedar Springs Red Hawks Public A 1041 Kent 1984 Blue Comstock Park Panthers Public B 746 Kent 1970 Blue Coopersville Broncos Public B 857 Ottawa 1984 Blue East Grand Rapids Pioneers Public B 985 Kent 1970 White East Kentwood Falcons Public A 2967 Kent 1961 Red Forest Hills Central Rangers Public A 1342 Kent 1960 Black Forest Hills Eastern Hawks Public B 894 Kent 2005 Gold Forest Hills Northern Huskies Public B 932 Kent 1972 Blue Grand Rapids Catholic Central Cougars Private B 787 Kent 2008 Gold Grand Rapids Christian Eagles Private B 1058 Kent 2008 White Grand Rapids Creston Polar Bears Public A 1256 Kent 2008 White Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills Bengals Public A 1263 Kent 2008 Gold Grand Rapids Union Red Hawks Public A 1333 Kent 2008 Black Grand Rapids West Catholic Falcons Private B 636 Kent 2008 Blue Godfrey-Lee Rebels Public C 366 Kent 1958# Silver Godwin Heights Wolverines Public B 587 Kent 1967 Silver Grand Haven Buccaneers Public A 1944 Ottawa 1985 Red Grandville Bulldogs Public A 2014 Kent 1970 Red Greenville Yellow Jackets Public A 1237 Montcalm 2003 White Hamilton Hawkeyes Public B 749 Allegan 1970 Green Hastings Saxons Public B 965 Barry 1995 Gold Holland Dutch Public A 1365 Ottawa 1985 Black Holland Christian Maroons Private B 848 Ottawa 2003 Green Holland West Ottawa Panthers Public A 2338 Ottawa 1965 Red Hopkins Vikings Public B 542 Allegan 1994 Silver Hudsonville Eagles Public A 1520 Ottawa 1958# Red Hudsonville Unity Christian Crusaders Private B 799 Ottawa 1995 Green Jenison Wildcats Public A 1605 Ottawa 1970 Red Kelloggsville Rockets Public B 516 Kent 1958# Silver Kenowa Hills Knights Public A 1228 Kent 1965 Black Kent City Eagles Public C 437 Kent 2000 Silver Lowell Red Arrows Public A 1289 Kent 1984 White Middleville Trojans Public B 922 Barry 1970 Gold Muskegon Big Reds Public A 1646 Muskegon 2003 Red Muskegon Mona Shores Sailors Public A 1411 Muskegon 1985 Black Muskegon Reeths-Puffer Rockets Public A 1297 Muskegon 2003 Black Northview Wildcats Public A 1189 Kent 1965 White Rockford Rams Public A 2493 Kent 1970 Red South Christian Sailors Private B 748 Kent 1967 Gold Sparta Spartans Public B 860 Kent 1984 Blue Wayland Wildcats Public B 1026 Allegan 1970 Gold Wyoming Park Vikings Public B 824 Kent 1961 Green Wyoming Rogers Golden Hawks Public B 855 Kent 1958# Green Zeeland East Chix Public B 921 Ottawa 1965 Green Zeeland West Dux Public B 756 Ottawa 2005 Green - Note: The class and population size are from the 2007 MHSAA listings. The # next to the year admitted is for founding members.
Classifications
As of the 2006-07 school year the conference has put a requirement in writing for which sports they want all schools to have a varsity level program in. Those include Baseball, Basketball (boys & girls), Football, Softball (girls), Track & Field (boys & girls), Volleyball (girls), and Wrestling
They also listed a second group of sports which they want a minimal of two more sports in varsity level. Those include Bowling (boys & girls), Competitive Cheer (girls), Cross Country (boys & girls), Golf (boys & girls), Gymnastics (girls), Ice Hockey, Soccer (boys & girls), Swimming (boys & girls), Tennis (boys & girls), and Water Polo (boys & girls)
Furthermore for expansion purposes they must have a JV program in the mandatory programs along with adding freshman programs. This has been a change when in 2004 they wanted freshman programs in all of the required programs instead they want to see improvement in the schools to have them form one when participation is high enough to warrant it.
Sports not listed as ones they will offer varsity status for include Lacrosse (boys & girls) and Skiing (boys & girls).
Current Alignment
This alignment was enacted starting in the 2008-09 school year after the Grand Rapids City League was officially absorbed into the conference.
Red Division
- East Kentwood
- Grand Haven
- Grandville
- Hudsonville
- Jenison
- Muskegon
- Rockford
- West Ottawa
Black Division
- Forest Hills Central
- Grand Rapids Union
- Holland
- Kenowa Hills
- Muskegon Mona Shores
- Muskegon Reeths-Puffer
White Division
- East Grand Rapids
- Grand Rapids Creston
- Grand Rapids Christian
- Greenville
- Lowell
- Northview
Gold Division
- Caledonia
- Forest Hills Eastern
- Grand Rapids Catholic Central
- Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills
- Hastings
- Middleville
- South Christian
- Wayland
Blue Division
- Belding
- Cedar Springs
- Comstock Park
- Coopersville
- Forest Hills Northern
- Sparta
- West Catholic
Green Division
- Byron Center
- Hamilton
- Holland Christian
- Hudsonville Unity Christian
- Wyoming Park
- Wyoming Rogers
- Zeeland East
- Zeeland West
Silver Division
- Allendale
- Calvin Christian
- Godfrey-Lee
- Godwin Heights
- Hopkins
- Kelloggsville
- Kent City
Past Realignments
Every two years the conference realigns itself due to changes in school sizes as some school districts increase at a large rate while others may stay constant or decline. Along with the changes in school populations, they also hear requests to join the conference. The process is a lengthy one and requires a 75% majority of the member schools to allow any new school in the conference. The Grand Rapids City League will be joining the conference for the 2008-2009 season. According to the Grand Rapids Press the Principals passed the league with a 43 to 1 vote. The future alignment for the expansion is still on the table but the one currently being discussed will have 7 divisions (one more than present) and has been passed by the committee of athletic directors 34 to 10. It is inline with the what the conference has done in the past. The executive board is made up of at least 1 principle from each division would have to pass the alignment on April 18. After that the Executive Council made up all of the principals will ratify it by May 9. The thought process is only do minor alignment change in two years followed by a possible major realignment in fours depending on different factors. The difference would be actual schools added to the conference or change in the number of divisions versus just flip flopping schools around.
According to the GR Press 7 schools voted no for several different reasons. Two schools, Lowell and Zeeland West did not show up for the meeting and as such no votes were given to them. The other schools include Lee, East Kentwood, Hudsonville, Jenison, and Middleville. The reasons given by the press for their no votes were because of concerns about the possibility that the four Grand Rapids Public Schools might drop their athletic programs, because of the enrollment differential in some divisions and because of the size of some of the divisions. According to past policies of the those schools and previous article quotes from those schools it is assumed what schools felt which way. For Jenison, Hudsonville, and Lee it was the enrollment differences along with the size of their division. East Kentwood and probably Middleville were upset with the Athletic Director of the Grand Rapids Public Schools discussing saving money by eliminating 2 high school AD's after the first two votes of the Conference to let them into the conference.
All seven City League schools officially became full members of the OK Conference beginning with the 2008-09 school year.
The Swimming Conferences have been realigned for the 2011-2012 school year and consist of only four levels.
Notable alumni
Notable Alumni who have participated athletically in the OK Conference
- Robert Jackson, former NFL Player
- Ray Bentley, former NFL Player
- Mike Dumas, former NFL Player
- Paul Grasmanis, former NFL Player
- Kevin Haverdink, former NFL Player
- Gary Hogeboom, former NFL Player
- Sasha Hupman, former NBA Player
- Mike Knuble, NHL Player
- Mitch Lyons, former NFL Player
- Jay Riemersma, former NFL Player
- Steve Scheffler, former NBA Player
- Joel Smeenge, former NFL Player
- Matt Steigenga, former NBA Player
- John Vander Wal, former MLB Player
- Loy Vaught, former NBA Player
- Dathan Ritzenhein, Two Time Olympian in Track and Field
- Brian Diemer, Bronze Medalist - 1984 Olympics in Track and Field
- Luke Jensen, Former professional tennis player who reached a #6 world ranking in doubles.
- Ron Essink, Former NFL Player Drafted 1980 - Grand Valley wrestling All American.
- Ryan McDonald, Former NFL Player - All American and Rose Bowl starter with University of Illinois
- Justin Abdelkader, an ice hockey forward for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.
State championships
Schools that have won MHSAA (unless otherwise noted) state championships while being members of OK Conference.
Baseball
Rockford 1
Year School Division/Class 2009 East Grand Rapids 2 2003 Holland West Ottawa 1 1996 Calvin Christian B 1994 Calvin Christian C 1976 Wyoming Park B Basketball
Boys
Year School Class 2005 South Christian B 2003 Rockford A 2003 South Christian B 1988 South Christian B 1984 Hamilton C Girls
Year School Class 2010 Grand Rapids Catholic Central B 2006 Hudsonville Unity Christian B 1988 South Christian B Bowling
Boys
Year School Class/Division 2004 Hudsonville A Girls
Year School Class/Division 2007 Kelloggsville 3 2006 Kelloggsville C-D Girls Competitive Cheer
Year School Class/Division 2008 Grandville 1 2007 Holland Christian 2 2004 Grandville A 1998 Grandville A 1997 Grandville A Cross country
Boys
Year School Class/Division 2002 Rockford 1 2000 Rockford 1 1999 Allendale C 1996 Caledonia B 1978 Godfrey-Lee C 1972 Godfrey-Lee C-D 1971 Godfrey-Lee C-D 1967 Northview B 1961 Wyoming B Girls
Year School Class/Division 2004 East Grand Rapids 2 2003 East Grand Rapids 2 2002 Rockford 1 2001 Rockford 1 2001 Middleville 2 2000 Rockford 1 2000 Middleville 2 2000 Kelloggsville 3 1999 Rockford A 1999 Middleville B 1998 Rockford A 1996 Caledonia B 1995 Caledonia B 1994 Caledonia B 1993 Caledonia B 1981 Godfrey-Lee D Football
Year School Division/Class 2010 Grand Rapids West Catholic 5 2010 Grand Rapids Catholic Central 4 2010 East Grand Rapids 3 2009 Lowell 2 2009 East Grand Rapids 3 2008 Rockford 1 2008 Muskegon 2 2008 East Grand Rapids 3 2008 Holland Christian 4 2007 East Grand Rapids 3 2006 Muskegon 2 2006 East Grand Rapids 3 2006 Zeeland West 4 2005 Rockford 1 2005 Caledonia 3 2004 Rockford 1 2004 Muskegon 2 2004 Lowell 3 2003 East Grand Rapids 3 2002 Lowell 2 2002 East Grand Rapids 3 2002 South Christian 4 1997 Belding B 1996 Grandville A 1995 East Grand Rapids BB 1993 East Grand Rapids BB 1984 Wyoming Park B 1983 East Grand Rapids B 1978 Forest Hills Northern C 1976 East Grand Rapids B 1970 Northview B Golf
Boys
Year School Division/Class 2005 Muskegon Mona Shores 1 2005 East Grand Rapids 2 2001 East Kentwood 1 2000 Muskegon Mona Shores 1 1991 Muskegon Mona Shores A 1989 Muskegon Mona Shores A 1989 Calvin Christian C 1988 Grandville A 1988 Comstock Park C 1987 Comstock Park C 1983 Forest Hills Northern C 1976 Grandville A Girls
Year School Division/Class 2007 South Christian 3 2002 Caledonia 2 1999 East Grand Rapids 3 1998 Grandville A 1997 Grandville A 1982 Forest Hills Northern Open 1979 East Grand Rapids Open Gymnastics
Year School Class 2000 East Kentwood Open 1997 Holland Open 1996 Holland Open 1995 Holland Open 1994 Holland Open 1992 Muskegon Mona Shores Open 1991 Muskegon Mona Shores Open 1989 Rockford Open 1986 Holland Open 1982 East Kentwood Open 1980 East Kentwood Open Ice hockey
Year School Division/Class 2011 Grand Rapids Catholic Central 3 2000 Muskegon Mona Shores 2 1990 East Kentwood A Lacrosse
Boys
Year School Class/Division 1999 East Grand Rapids B 2007 East Grand Rapids 2 Girls
Year School Class/Division 2011 Grand Rapids Catholic Central 2 Skiing
Boys
Year School Class 1999 East Grand Rapids B-C-D 1997 East Grand Rapids B-C-D 1996 Forest Hills Central A Girls None Yet
Soccer
Boys
Year School Division/Class 2011 Northview A 2010 East Kentwood 1 2008 East Kentwood 1 2007 East Kentwood 1 2007 Hudsonville Unity Christian 2 2004 Forest Hills Central 2 2003 Holland Christian 2 Girls
Year School Class 2007 Hudsonville Unity Christian 3 2006 Hudsonville Unity Christian 3 2005 Forest Hills Central 2 2005 Hudsonville Unity Christian 3 2002 East Grand Rapids 2 2001 East Grand Rapids 3 2000 East Grand Rapids 3 Softball
Year School Division/Class 2006 Wayland 2 2005 Wyoming Rogers 2 2001 Wyoming Rogers 2 1999 Wyoming Rogers 2 1996 Wyoming Park B 1995 Jenison A 1994 Jenison A 1993 Calvin Christian C 1992 Jenison A 1991 Northview B 1990 Jenison A 1988 Jenison A 1988 Calvin Christian C 1987 Jenison A Swimming
Boys
Year School Division 2008 East Grand Rap 3 2007 Holland 2 2004 Holland 1 2001 Rockford 1 1991 Zeeland 2 1990 Zeeland 2 1989 Holland Christian 2 1988 Holland Christian 2 1989 East Kentwood 1 1983 East Kentwood 1 1982 East Grand Rapids 2 1981 East Grand Rapids 2 1980 East Grand Rapids 2 1979 East Grand Rapids 2 1978 East Grand Rapids 2 1977 East Grand Rapids 2 1976 East Grand Rapids 2 1971 Holland West Ottawa 2 1970 Holland West Ottawa 2 1969 Holland West Ottawa 2 Girls
Year School Division 2001 East Grand Rapids 2 2000 East Grand Rapids 2 1999 East Grand Rapids 2 1998 East Grand Rapids 2 1994 Forest Hills Central 1 1994 Zeeland 2 1993 Forest Hills Central 1 1993 East Grand Rapids 2 1992 East Grand Rapids 2 1991 Zeeland 2 1990 Zeeland 2 1989 Zeeland 2 1988 East Grand Rapids 2 1987 Zeeland 2 1986 East Grand Rapids 2 1985 East Grand Rapids 2 1984 East Grand Rapids 2 1983 East Grand Rapids 2 1982 East Grand Rapids 2 1981 East Grand Rapids 2 1979 East Grand Rapids 2 1978 East Grand Rapids 2 Tennis
Boys
Year School Division/Class 2007 East Grand Rapids 3 2003 Forest Hills Central 2 2003 East Grand Rapids 3 2001 East Grand Rapids 3 1998 Forest Hills Central 2 1998 Forest Hills Northern 3 1995 Forest Hills Northern B 1979 East Grand Rapids B 1978 East Grand Rapids B 1977 East Grand Rapids B 1975 East Grand Rapids B 1973 East Grand Rapids A 1972 East Grand Rapids A (co-champ) 1971 East Grand Rapids A (co-champ) 1970 East Grand Rapids A Girls
Year School Division/Class 2008 Forest Hills Northern 2 2007 Forest Hills Northern 2 2006 Forest Hills Northern 2 2006 Holland Christian 3 2005 Holland Christian 3 2004 Forest Hills Northern 2 2003 Forest Hills Northern 2 2003 East Grand Rapids 3 2002 East Grand Rapids 3 2001 East Grand Rapids 3 2000 East Grand Rapids 3 1998 East Grand Rapids 3 1997 East Grand Rapids 3 1996 East Grand Rapids B 1995 East Grand Rapids B 1994 East Grand Rapids B 1992 East Grand Rapids B 1987 East Grand Rapids B 1986 East Grand Rapids B 1985 East Grand Rapids B 1984 East Grand Rapids B 1979 East Grand Rapids B Track & Field
Boys
Year School Division/Class 2011 East Kentwood 1 2010 East Kentwood 1 2010 Byron Center 2 2009 East Kentwood 1 2009 Hamilton 2 2006 Forest Hills Northern 2 1989 Northview B Girls
Year School Division/Class 2008 Forest Hills Northern 2 2006 Kent City 3 2003 Rockford 1 2000 Rockford 1 1995 Caledonia B Volleyball
Year School Class 2008 Holland Christian B 2007 Jenison A 2007 South Christian B 2006 East Kentwood A 2002 Forest Hills Northern A 2000 East Kentwood A 1990 East Kentwood A 1978 Forest Hills Northern C Water Polo
Boys
Year School Class 2007 Rockford Open 2006 Rockford Open 2005 Rockford Open 2004 Rockford Open 2003 Rockford Open 2000 Rockford Open 1995 Jenison Open Girls
Year School Class 2007 Hudsonville Open 2006 Rockford Open 2005 East Grand Rapids Open 2004 Rockford Open - Water polo is not recognized by the MHSAA but the OK Conference allows it full varsity status. The teams compete for the Michigan Water Polo Association (MWPA) State Championship.
Wrestling
Year School Division/Class 2009 Rockford 1 2009 Lowell 2 2008 Greenville 2 2007 Rockford 1 2004 Lowell 2 2002 Lowell 2 1996 Middleville 3 1995 Cedar Springs B 1993 Grandville A 1974 Comstock Park C Note: The Comstock Park Championship was determined by Individual Format versus the Team Duel Format.
Categories:- Michigan high school sports conferences
- High school sports conferences and leagues in the United States
- Western Michigan
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