The Oxford High School athletic program has been accepted into the Naugatuck Valley League effective in the fall of 2014.
"We are very excited to welcome a school community and a thriving athletic program like Oxford into our NVL family," said NVL president Tom Pompei, the athletic director at Naugatuck High School, in a news release. "We feel as though they will be a tremendous addition to the league creating natural rivalries with surrounding valley schools and fitting in seamlessly with our student athletes."
Oxford currently plays in the South-West Conference but was looking to move to the NVL for various reasons. School board members behind the move say that it makes sense because NVL schools bring a faster commute and there are more schools similar to the size of Oxford. Plus, they believe Oxford would have better rivalries.
Opponents of the measure say this is being done for one sport only, football. They argue that Oxford is better off in the SWC.
Pompei, though, said the move is official and athletic directors of the NVL are looking forward to working with the administration of Oxford High School to continue growth and league traditions.
This addition will necessitate a change in some league procedures regarding post-season play and divisional alignment. In 20 game sports, the following structure will take shape:
Division A Division B Division C
Ansonia Crosby Naugatuck
Derby Holy Cross Torrington
Oxford Kennedy Watertown
St. Paul Sacred Heart Wolcott
Seymour Wilby Woodland
