Cedar Valley Christian to apply for Tri-Rivers membership

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Cedar Valley Christian School would like to become the 12th member of the Tri-Rivers Conference.

Athletics Director Stephanie Hodge said Tuesday that the school is drafting a letter for admittance into the conference.

"I hope to send it this week," Hodge said. "I was advised by (Iowa High School Athletic Association assistant director) Todd Tharp to look that direction, but a lot of people have told me not to expect approval."

The Tri-Rivers currently has 10 schools -- Alburnett, Cascade, Central City, East Buchanan, Edgewood-Colesburg, Maquoketa Valley, Monticello, North Linn, Springville and Starmont.

Lisbon will leave the Big East Conference for the Tri-Rivers in the fall of 2013.

Pat Schloss, athletics director at East Buchanan, said Cedar Valley had applied once before, but Tri-Rivers officials "didn't feel they had enough sports" at the time.

"I do think they are bound to get in, sooner or later. This is the conference they would probably fit into best."

Four Tri-Rivers schools -- Alburnett, Central City, North Linn and Springville -- are in Linn County. So are Lisbon and Cedar Valley.

According to the state's BEDS Documents, Cedar Valley has an enrollment of 57 in grades 10-12. The smallest school in the Tri-Rivers is Springville at 91.

Cedar Valley Christian is in its first year as a IHSAA- and IGHSAU-sanctioned school. The Huskies field teams in football, volleyball, basketball and soccer. Hodge said Tuesday that the school is moving toward beginning a baseball program.

"That would be a big one," she said. "We have had some people come and talk about coaching a baseball team, and the kids would like to start a team."

In other news, Hodge said the football team has scheduled three junior varsity games, including one at home.

The Huskies, who are 0-3 at the varsity level this fall, conclude their varsity schedule at Central City on Friday. Hodge said they will play a JV game at Cedar Falls NU High on Oct. 3, at home against Preston on Oct. 15 (a Saturday game at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church) and at Central City on Oct. 18.