ALBANY - When the 2012 football season kicks off in the fall, Albany will likely renew a football cooperative team with Evansville.
Rock Valley Conference principals approved the Evansville-Albany football co-op for next season at a meeting December. Albany originally had a football co-op with Evansville that began in the 1980s and lasted 20 years.
Albany Athletic Director Derik Doescher said the football co-op proposal was sent to the WIAA this week, well ahead of the WIAA's Feb. 1 deadline.
"The big stepping stone is done," Doescher said of getting conference approval.
Albany has had a co-op football team with Belleville for 10 years, but the agreement wasn't renewed.
"We didn't have a lot of success," Doescher said of the co-op with Belleville. "It wasn't because of the success we didn't have."
Belleville-Albany posted a 37-59 record, with two winning seasons, in 10 years.
Doescher said cutting transportation costs for football players was a driving force, pointing out the round trip to Belleville is 38 miles and a round trip to Evansville is about 20 miles.
"It cuts our miles, gas and time on the bus in half," Doescher said. "I think it's an excellent opportunity."
Brodhead Athletic Director Jim Matthys welcomes more talent in the Rock Valley.
"It's a great opportunity for the Albany kids to come to a strong Evansville program," Matthys said. "Any time a program in your conference gets stronger, it only will make us stronger too."
Rock Valley Conference principals approved the Evansville-Albany football co-op for next season at a meeting December. Albany originally had a football co-op with Evansville that began in the 1980s and lasted 20 years.
Albany Athletic Director Derik Doescher said the football co-op proposal was sent to the WIAA this week, well ahead of the WIAA's Feb. 1 deadline.
"The big stepping stone is done," Doescher said of getting conference approval.
Albany has had a co-op football team with Belleville for 10 years, but the agreement wasn't renewed.
"We didn't have a lot of success," Doescher said of the co-op with Belleville. "It wasn't because of the success we didn't have."
Belleville-Albany posted a 37-59 record, with two winning seasons, in 10 years.
Doescher said cutting transportation costs for football players was a driving force, pointing out the round trip to Belleville is 38 miles and a round trip to Evansville is about 20 miles.
"It cuts our miles, gas and time on the bus in half," Doescher said. "I think it's an excellent opportunity."
Brodhead Athletic Director Jim Matthys welcomes more talent in the Rock Valley.
"It's a great opportunity for the Albany kids to come to a strong Evansville program," Matthys said. "Any time a program in your conference gets stronger, it only will make us stronger too."
