WPIAL executive director Tim O'Malley and WPIAL board members have made it clear they do not like and do not want the new PIAA six-classification system for a number of sports next year.
But the majority of superintendents in the WPIAL apparently feel differently.
The WPIAL recently surveyed all school superintendents and 63 percent believe the WPIAL should follow the six-class system the PIAA voted in for the next school year. There will be six classes in football, boys and girls basketball, baseball and softball for the 2016-17 year. Classes will also expand in a few other sports. The WPIAL released results of the survey this morning in a letter sent to WPIAL superintendents and athletic directors.
The WPIAL has not decided what it will do with classifications and conference alignment for next year. O'Malley said the league is waiting until the PIAA releases its playoff brackets late next month. The WPIAL is thinking about using a hybrid system that would still keep four classifications, but send six teams to the PIAA playoffs. For example, 5A teams might be together with 6A teams, and 3A with 4A.
Some might favor that kind of a system, but I know plenty of athletic directors and also coaches who are vehemently against it. For example, coaches at 5A teams don't feel they should have to play 6A teams, unless it's maybe a non-conference game or two. And many of those coaches are dead set against the idea of having to play a team in another class in a playoff or championship game.
The WPIAL contends using six classes will add much more travel time to teams for away games in a number of sports.
Also, the WPIAL would like to somehow keep its four football championships at Heinz Field. Using a hybrid system would allow for that. However, a number of coaches and athletic directors believe in a system where four games could be played at Heinz, and two at another stadium, like Highmark or even a nice high school stadium. The two games not played at Heinz could be rotated on a yearly basis.
There won't be much more news on this new alignment until next month. Stay tuned.