The Osage School District has been a popular target in talks for expansion and/or realignment of athletic conferences across north Iowa. But they have rebuffed all requests for the time being.
The Green Devils were invited by the Northeast Iowa Conference to join current NEIC members including Charles City, New Hampton, Decorah, Cresco-Crestwood, and Waukon. The Upper Iowa Conference has also extended an invitation for Osage to join their league.
Then there’s Osage’s current home, the Top of Iowa Conference (TIC), which would like them to remain in the TIC, but asked the Green Devils to shift to the West Division in an effort to create more competitive balance throughout the conference. Osage had a deadline of July 1 to make their decision, with realignment targeted for the start of the 2023-24 school year.
During their June meeting, the Osage School Board voted to turn down the offer to join the TIC WEST and stay in the Top of Iowa East for at least one more year. The board also directed Superintendent Barb Schwamman to continue to look at all opportunities and options moving forward.
With “NOs” to each of their invitations, Schwamman noted that the Green Devils would be a part of the TIC East for at least two more years unless others leave and force realignments.
