Hanging in Athens High School's McAfee Gymnasium are six old and weathered banners, each one displaying the name and colors of a different member of the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League: Logan, Gallia, Marietta, Warren, Jackson and Athens.
Banners whose age is only matched by their tradition.
Established in 1925, the SEOAL is one of the oldest conferences in the state. Amongst all this tradition sits a new face - Athens High varsity boys basketball coach, Chuck Robinson.
Robinson is in his first year of SEOAL play but has already noticed its passion and intensity.
You go to Warren and the gym is full
it's hot in there the fans are going crazy the Bulldog mentor said. Marietta is winning now. Jackson has a great facility and we have a great facility. Once we get things turned around we're going to fill this place up too.
Athens athletic director Les Champlin has been involved in area athletics since 1966 and says the league's longevity has produced some heated rivalries.
Athens and Logan have the longest run...Jackson and Gallia always have a good rivalry game going
Champlin said, All these schools have been playing each other for so long
every game seems like a rivalry.
The league originally consisted of Athens, Gallia, Ironton, Jackson, Logan, Nelsonville, Portsmouth and Wellston, but it has undergone many changes over the years. Only Gallia, Jackson, and Logan have been members for each of the league's 80 years. Athens left the conference from 1928 to 1931.
More than 18 different schools have spent time in the league, including River Valley, Point Pleasant, New Boston, Waverly and Middleport.
Coach Blane Maddox of the Warren Warriors believes the SEOAL is a symbol of the area.
I love the league
Maddox said. I've been around it all my life; I've coached in it and I've played in it.
