By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The Rootstown Board of Education voted on Monday night to approve the Rootstown Rovers joining the Chagrin Valley Conference.

The Rovers will begin competing in the league as a member of the Valley Division beginning in the 2025-26 school year for both middle school and high school athletics.

Athletic director Keith Waesch confirmed on Monday night that Rootstown has made a one-year commitment to the CVC.

“The CVC gives our student-athletes more opportunities than what we currently have in the PTC landscape in recent years,” Waesch said.

Rootstown was a longstanding member of the Portage County League, which formed in 1922, then Rootstown joined in 1923. Then, Rootstown was a founding member of the Portage Trail Conference in 2005.

It will be the first time in the district’s history that it will compete outside of league based out of Portage County.

“We have been very loyal to the PTC since movement began a handful of years ago,” Waesch said. “In fact, we are the lone school that resides in Portage County.”

The other remaining schools in the PTC include Warren John F. Kennedy, Lake Center Christian, Mogadore and St. Thomas Aquinas.

“We’re excited to join the CVC beginning in the 2025-26 school year,” Rootstown Superintendent Andrew Hawkins said. “This opportunity will undoubtedly enhance the experience and development of our student-athletes, and we’re looking forward to the positive impact it will have on their growth both on and off the field.”

The district’s announcement comes one week after news of Cuyahoga Falls, Kent Roosevelt and Tallmadge all leaving the Suburban League to join the Metro Athletic Conference.

The Valley Division features a core group of member schools for all sports, but with slight variations in each sport.

Here is a look at the teams in the division for each sport, though Cardinal has announced it is leaving the CVC for the Northeast Athletic Conference.

Football: Berkshire, Cardinal, Chagrin Falls, Crestwood, Fairview, Kirtland.

Boys Soccer: Berkshire, Cardinal, Crestwood, Jefferson Area, Kirtland.

Girls Soccer: Berkshire, Cardinal, Crestwood, Jefferson Area, Kirtland, Painesville Harvey.

Volleyball: Beachwood, Berkshire, Cardinal, Crestwood, Kirtland, Wickliffe.

Boys Basketball: Berkshire, Cardinal, Crestwood, Grand Valley, Kirtland, Wickliffe.

Girls Basketball: Berkshire, Cardinal, Crestwood, Grand Valley, Kirtland, Wickliffe.

Baseball: Berkshire, Cardinal, Crestwood, Grand Valley, Kirtland, Painesville Harvey, Wickliffe.

Softball: Berkshire, Cardinal, Crestwood, Grand Valley, Kirtland, Wickliffe.