Despite football shutdown, Hoban will still play STVM in most sports, including boys hoops
Archbishop Hoban High School president Chris DiMauro recently explained he is pleased the Knights will continue to play the St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish in most sports.
The outcome wasn't always a given.
After STVM decided in February to pull the plug on its regular-season football rivalry game against Hoban, DiMauro told the Beacon Journal the school's leadership would contemplate whether the Knights would compete against the Irish in other sports beginning with the 2023-24 school year.
On Saturday, DiMauro revealed Hoban's board of directors relied on the school's administrative team to make the decision. A 1999 Hoban graduate, DiMauro said he, athletic director Matt Bing, principal T.K. Griffith and others, including associate principals, chose to empower each of their head coaches to decide whether to compete against STVM. Most of Hoban's coaches want STVM on their schedules.
“It really wasn't much of a change at all,” DiMauro said. “We've always felt strongly that the head coach knows the program best and knows how to schedule appropriately. And it all kind of just worked itself out.
“The total cancellation of all sports would've been, in my estimation — and I think I speak for our board and our administrative team — that's the worst-case scenario for our kids. In trying to put kids back at the forefront of this conversation, I would say, yes, I am happy.”
In February, DiMauro said STVM's call to halt the regular-season football series known as "The Akron Holy War" stemmed from STVM accusing “a member of the Hoban coaching staff” of directing improper language toward the Irish.
“We couldn't substantiate [the accusation] but still understood that what they were saying needed ownership, and we took ownership [by apologizing],” DiMauro said then.
Hoban and STVM could still meet in the Ohio High School Athletic Association playoffs this football season because they both occupy Division II, Region 5.
More on "The Akron Holy War": Hoban president explains stoppage of classic high school football series in Akron
Meanwhile, Hoban and STVM are scheduled to face each other this school year in the vast majority of sports, including boys basketball, DiMauro and Bing said. The boys hoops showdown is set for Jan. 5 at Hoban.
“Yeah, we're playing them. It's on the schedule, as long as it doesn't get snowed out or something,” Bing said.
As head coach, Griffith led Hoban to a Division I state championship in boys basketball in March. STVM has won seven state titles with Dru Joyce II as its head coach. In the most recent meeting between Griffith and Joyce's teams, STVM captured a 50-44 home victory on Jan. 31.
More on Hoban's basketball state title: 'We all share the love': Archbishop Hoban students and staff celebrate Division I hoops championship
Hoban and STVM are not scheduled to face each other in girls basketball during the 2023-24 season. Last season, STVM defeated visiting Hoban 53-36 on Feb. 1.
Yet, the two Akron Catholic schools will be vying against each other for the most part.
“It's always nice having a local team to play. Yeah, absolutely,” Bing said. “I mean, the kids grew up playing against each other, so, yeah, it's a good thing to still be playing them.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Hoban, STVM still facing each other in most sports
