GRAND RAPIDS, MI — On Monday, the Ottawa-Kent Conference (OK Conference) finalized a groundbreaking realignment that will reshape the landscape of high school athletics across West Michigan. This significant move, which comes just two months after seven schools announced their departure from the league for a new venture that will be known as the River Cities Alliance, marking a pivotal moment for the 65-year-old conference.

Unprecedented Changes Amidst Departure

The OK Conference, a longstanding institution in West Michigan high school sports, has undergone a major overhaul in its structure. The realignment includes two separate proposals: one for football and another for all other sports. This bifurcated approach reflects the conference’s commitment to adapting to shifting dynamics and diverse needs among its member schools.

The decision to realign was driven by a recent exodus of seven schools, which left the OK Conference grappling with a new reality. The departing schools formed the River Cities Alliance, a new league that will commence in the 2024-25 academic year. The schools joining this new league include Allendale, Cedar Springs, Coopersville, Greenville, Kenowa Hills, Lowell, and Sparta.

Realignment Voting Results

The realignment proposals required a two-thirds majority to pass. The football-only proposal received 28 votes in favor and 11 against, while the all-other-sports proposal was supported by 34 votes with seven opposing. The discrepancy in voting results is partly due to two OK Conference schools—NorthPointe Christian and Calvin Christian—that do not field 11-player football teams.

OK Conference commissioner Dave Feenstra expressed gratitude towards the member schools for their cooperation and efforts to enhance the athletic experience for students. “Our committee looked at it very diligently, and the goal is to try to make the realignment work best for the vast majority of member schools,” Feenstra stated. “It’s a very complex puzzle to put together.”

Divisions and Team Allocations

The new realignment establishes six distinct divisions for both football and other sports. Here’s a breakdown of the key changes:

Football Divisions:

1. OK Red: The division remains unchanged, featuring East Kentwood, Rockford, West Ottawa, Hudsonville, Grand Haven, Grandville, Jenison, and Caledonia.
2. OK Green: This division retains Grand Rapids Union and the three Muskegon-area schools while adding Byron Center and Forest Hills Northern.
3. OK Gold: This division is a blend of teams from different divisions, including Zeeland West, Zeeland East, GR Union, Forest Hills Central, and Unity Christian.
4. OK Black: Features a mix from previous OK Gold and OK White divisions, including Ottawa Hills, Thornapple Kellogg, East Grand Rapids, and Holland Christian.
5. OK White: Comprising teams from OK Blue and OK Gold, this division includes West Catholic, Hamilton, Spring Lake, and GR Christian.
6. OK Silver: This division largely remains the same, with Belding, Comstock Park, Hopkins, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, and new additions Fruitport and Holland.

All-Other-Sports Divisions:

1. OK Red: Remains largely the same, minus Jenison and Caledonia. The remaining teams are East Kentwood, Rockford, West Ottawa, Hudsonville, Grand Haven, and Grandville.
2. OK Green: This division now includes Jenison, Caledonia, Byron Center, Mona Shores, Reeths-Puffer, and Muskegon.
3. OK Gold: Retains South Christian, Wayland, Thornapple Kellogg, and adds former OK Green schools GR Union and Wyoming, Northview, and West Catholic.
4. OK Black: This lakeshore-oriented division includes former OK Blue schools Spring Lake, Hamilton, Holland Christian, Unity Christian, and three OK Green schools.
5. OK White: Forest Hills Central, Forest Hills Northern, East Grand Rapids, and GR Christian remain, joined by former OK Gold members Ottawa Hills, Forest Hills Eastern, and GR Catholic Central.
6. OK Silver: Mostly unchanged, this division includes Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, Belding, Comstock Park, Hopkins, NorthPointe Christian, Calvin Christian, and new member Fruitport.

Looking Ahead

The OK Conference’s latest realignment aims to provide stability and a fresh competitive balance for the next four years. Commissioner Feenstra expressed optimism about the new structure, asserting that the conference’s commitment to fostering educational athletics remains strong. “We are confident that it’s going to be a four-year deal because our members are earnestly working together for the sake of educational athletics,” Feenstra said.

As the 2024-25 academic year approaches, the new alignment will be tested. It remains to be seen how the realignment will impact competition and school dynamics. The decision to not mandate crossover games for football teams allows for greater flexibility in scheduling, which could lead to more varied and exciting matchups.

The Ottawa-Kent Conference’s realignment represents a significant shift in the West Michigan high school sports landscape. With a renewed focus on balancing competitive fairness and regional rivalries, the conference is poised to navigate its latest chapter with optimism and a commitment to enhancing student-athlete experiences.