Parkersburg South’s Navi Hewitt (1) practices ball-handling prior to a boys basketball game against Spring Mills earlier this season at Rod Oldham Athletic Center.
(Photo by Jay W. Bennett)

PARKERSBURG — The Mountain State Athletic Conference welcomed back Parkersburg South into its family with open arms.

According to Parkersburg South High School principal Maria Francisco, MSAC administrators officially voted the school into the league last Wednesday (Feb. 19) during a meeting at the South Charleston Little Creek Golf Park Eagles Nest conference center.

“100%, it’s been a smooth process,” Francisco said. “Between principals and athletic directors, the people at the MSAC are elated for us to come in. They know South travels well. We’ve been known for having more fans at away games than the home team.

“We play all of the teams in the MSAC already – they are thrilled to have us. At the meeting last week, we received a super warm welcome. Numerous times, I heard they were glad to have us back.”

South is a founding member of the MSAC. The school exited in the spring of 1999.

“At that time, I think South wanted to be independent and try to build up their sports – it was a good decision because once we joined the OVAC we were able to play some good people. It came to a point where we had to change for multiple reasons.

“Part of it was a financial decision with travel costs. Being in the MSAC, we save some money on busses. I know (football coach Nathan Tanner) is really excited – he was having issues trying to get people to play us. Now he doesn’t have to search for games and make four-hour treks across the state.

“Our boys basketball team was closer to Canada than they were home playing games in the Great Lakes area. (Boys basketball coach Mike Fallon) texted me after playing a game in South Charleston telling me they were home and it was only 11 p.m.”

South becomes an active member of the MSAC during the 2025-26 school year. The golf and possibly cross country programs are seeking to participate in the league championships in the fall.

Since athletic schedules are in place for the most part with tennis, soccer and football, South will be worked into the MSAC schedule as soon as feasible and continue as a member of the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference.

Beginning with the winter sports season, South will completely exit the OVAC and begin competing in the MSAC for all athletics.

South officials gave the OVAC the required one-year notice they were leaving and avoided any exit fines.

“The discussion about joining the MSAC began with the coaches,” Francisco said. “Both basketball coaches and our football coach kind of led the charge suggesting we make the change for many reasons. (South athletic director Jenny Null) and I listened to all the coaches. I met with (MSAC commissioner) Jim Hamric and he laid out everything how the MSAC was working – asked me why we wanted to switch conferences.

“Ms. Null and I then had a Zoom meeting with at least one representative from each league school. In our discussion, we included the non-sanctioned sports like Southern Belles, bowling and bowling.”

Once the vote became official last week, various South coaches received positive feedback from league members. One example, coach Fallon and his wife were presented passes to attend the MSAC Night of Champions.

“I’m glad it’s a done deal,” Francisco said. “This was not me driven. It was driven by our coaches. The coaches have wanted this the longest for everybody involved. We figure we need to listen and trust the ones who are making the schedules – the ones who are traveling to gives the kids the best opportunity to play the best.”

No longer will sports such as tennis and track be required to make multiple trips over a series of several days for the OVAC championships. Francisco noted how track always fell on Prom Night.

“We will still have to travel for tournaments, but will be really glad to see how the costs come back next year,” Francisco said.

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com