New league named the River Valley

The collection of 13 area high schools has a new name. And a new leader.Cascade athletics director Matt Breitbach has been chosen as commissioner of the River Valley Conference, which sets up shop next fall."Everything's starting to roll forward," Breitbach said. "The ADs have been excellent in working together. They've made my life easy."The River Valley Conference consists of the eight schools in the current Cedar Valley Conference, plus two from the Tri-Rivers Conference and three from the Big East.The new league will be divided into two divisions -- Bellevue, Camanche, Cascade, Monticello, North Cedar and Northeast will comprise the North Division while Durant, Iowa City Regina, Mid-Prairie, Tipton, West Branch, West Liberty and Wilton will reside in the South."It's going to be a great (Class) 2A conference," Breitbach said.The Iowa Department of Education decided on the placement of current Cedar Valley, Tri-Rivers and Big East conference members earlier this year.The Tri-Rivers will expand and the Big East will dissolve. Members of the Tri-Rivers West will be Alburnett, Central City, East Buchanan, Lisbon, Maquoketa Valley, North Linn and Springville. The East Division will consist of Bellevue Marquette, Calamus-Wheatland, Cedar Valley Christian, Clinton Prince of Peace, Midland and Preston.