Akron City Series

The Akron City Series is an Ohio High School Athletic Association high school athletic conference based entirely in the city of Akron, Ohio, United States, that includes the six high schools of the Akron Public Schools. The Akron City Series began conference play in 1911.

Current members

School Nickname Colors Tenure[1]
Buchtel Griffins Black and white
   
1931–
East Dragons Scarlet and gray
   
1924–
Ellet Orangemen Orange, blue, white
     
1930–1932, 1971–[a]
Firestone Falcons Green and gold
   
1963–
Garfield Golden Rams Maroon and gold
   
1927–[b]
North Vikings Black and gold
   
1920–
Notes
  1. ^ While part of the Akron Public Schools since 1929, Ellet was initially a smaller school than others in the league at the time and left the City Series in 1932 before returning in 1971[2]
  2. ^ Created in 2017 as a merger of Garfield and Kenmore High Schools. Known as Kenmore–Garfield from 2017 to 2022[3]

Former members

School Nickname Colors Tenure[1] Notes
Central Wildcats Red and white
   
1914–1970 consolidated with Hower
Central-Hower Eagles Red, white, blue
     
1970–2006 school closed
Hower Buccaneers Blue and gold
   
1927–1970 consolidated with Central
Garfield Golden Rams Maroon and gold
   
1927–2017 consolidated with Kenmore
Kenmore Cardinals Red and black
   
1930–2017 consolidated with Garfield
South Cavaliers Blue and white
   
1914–1980 school closed
West Cowboys Red and black
   
1914–1953 school closed; became junior high school

History

The Akron City Series began in 1911, with the establishment Akron's second high school, South High School. The previously existing Akron High School was renamed to Central High School. The first rivalry game between South and Central was hosted that season, with Central taking the win. The Akron City Series was formally established and expanded in 1914, with the opening of West High School. The Akron Beacon Journal began naming an "All-City Team" that year and the schools all had a playing field of their own.[4]

The Akron City Series added several schools in the 1920s, including North High School in 1920, East High School in 1924 and Garfield and Hower Vocational in 1927. Kenmore and Ellet were annexed by Akron in 1929, with both schools joining the Akron City Series in 1930. Ellet became the first to leave the Akron City Series in 1932, leaving for the Western Reserve League. Butchel joined as a replacement that same year. Membership remained consistent throughout the 1940s, with the next change taking place in 1953, as West High School closed and became a junior high school.

Firestone High School joined in 1963, following the opening of the high school. In 1970, the league dropped down to eight members, with the consolidations of Hower Vocational and Central High Schools.[5] The consolidated Central-Hower High School joined the Akron City Series. Ellet made their return from the Metro League in 1971.

South High School closed in 1980, with no major changes occurring again until 2006, when Central-Hower High School closed.[6]

In 2017, Kenmore and Garfield underwent a consolidation plan, with Kenmore-Garfield High School remaining a member of the Akron City Series.[7] Kenmore-Garfield was renamed in 2022, dropping Kenmore from the name to become Garfield Community Learning Center.[8]

See also

Ohio High School Athletic Conferences

References

  1. ^ a b What's in a name? (PDF). Akron Public Schools. November 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2012.
  2. ^ Beaven, Michael (October 28, 2012). "Ellet earns second trip to state playoffs". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved October 29, 2012.
  3. ^ Pignolet, Jennifer (May 11, 2021). "Akron school board names Kenmore-Garfield high school replacement Garfield CLC". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  4. ^ Stodghill, Dick; Stodghill, Jackie (1999). Akron City Football (Second (2008) ed.). Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  5. ^ Charlie. "www.howervocational.org". howervocational.org. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  6. ^ Farkas, Karen (February 9, 2012). "University of Akron aims to offer free tuition to qualified graduates of Akron schools". cleveland. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  7. ^ Writer, Staff. "Garfield and Kenmore high schools will become one". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  8. ^ Pignolet, Jennifer. "Akron school board names Kenmore-Garfield high school replacement Garfield CLC". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved March 20, 2026.