Leetonia commits to EOAC
LEETONIA — Faced with questions and rumors regarding the future of its football program, Leetonia administrators have set out to reassure Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference members that the Bears have every intention of playing a full 11-man football schedule in the fall.
Leetonia officials met with the other EOAC member schools in December seeking scheduling relief in an attempt to get their football program on stable ground. Several plans were floated with league membership — including dropping some league opponents to play smaller schools outside of the league — but ultimately the discussion stopped there.
Leetonia athletic director Bob Vaia, Leetonia superintendent Tony DelBoccio and Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference commissioner Howard Friend all confirmed the meeting took place in December.
Leetonia’s varsity football team has lost 26 straight league games and 30 straight games overall. The Bears are predicted to face low participation numbers this coming season on top of that.
Leetonia’s officials said they were grateful that the league took the opportunity to hear their plea. Friend said the league had to weigh what was best for Leetonia and what was best for the league and came to the conclusion that the best path forward was to remain status quo.
“They provided us with an opportunity, but it didn’t work out to what both sides were comfortable with so we decided to not move forward with it,” DelBoccio said.
School officials and Friend said Leetonia did not face an ultimatum over its league membership for proposing ideas to help Leetonia’s football team.
“The league’s standard is in for a penny, in for a pound,” Vaia said. “Either we are in or we are out and we’re in the EOAC this year and that’s the schedule we are playing.”
Leetonia athletic director sent out an apology e-mail on Tuesday that was addressed to other schools Leetonia had considered opening a scheduling relationship with outside of the league.
“I hope this message finds you well,” Vaia wrote. “I want to sincerely apologize for any confusion or inconvenience caused regarding the 2025 football schedule. We recognize the importance of clear communication.
“We currently have confirmed a 10-game schedule that does not include your school. Most importantly, we wish that this does not negatively impact future scheduling with your school. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.”
Vaia said that despite the e-mail going out, Leetonia never scheduled any schools outside of the league to replace those in the league.
As far as downgrading to 8-man football in the future, DelBoccio said Leetonia is not pursuing that option.
“That is false,” DelBoccio said.
Leetonia head football coach Matt Altomare, who returned to lead the program last season after being away since 2014, said he is willing to do the work needed to get the program back on solid ground but admits everyone needs to help.
“I am fully committed to doing whatever it takes to provide our students the opportunity to compete in 10 varsity and eight junior high games in the 2025 season. How that looks? I don’t know,” Altomare said. “I do know it is going to take all of us — the board of education, administration, parents, community, coaches and staff working together to enable our possibility of success in the classroom and in athletics.”