NWC looks to replace departing Paulding

Van Wert independent sports

Paulding has officially informed the Northwest Conference that it’s leaving the NWC for the Green Meadows Conference.

“It is anticipated that a formal request to leave the league after the 2020-21 school year will be submitted to the member schools at the May principals’ meeting,” NWC Commissioner Jim Raabe wrote in a press release.

“While wishing the Paulding school and community the best of luck in their new league, the NWC will definitely miss the contributions of the Paulding students, athletes, coaches and administrators to the success of the Northwest Conference,” the release continued.

A charter member of the GMC, Paulding joined the NWC in 1974 and according to Raabe, the school accumulated more than 50 conference championships in various sports.

Raabe also indicated the NWC won’t waste time taking the next step.

“The member schools of the Northwest Conference will immediately begin to look at what the departure of Paulding will mean for the league,” Raabe wrote. “ Discussions will involve how this may affect the various sports and schedules already established. It is anticipated that these discussions could involve the possibility of league expansion with the idea of finding a school or schools that would be a good fit with the conference.”