Excelsior Springs, Mo. (Feb. 11, 2025) – The Excelsior Springs School Board has voted to leave the Suburban Conference and join the Midland Empire Conference (MEC) for athletics and activities, effective for the 2026-27 school year. The decision, made during the board’s Feb. 11 meeting, passed with a 5-1 vote, with board member Traci White casting the lone dissenting vote.
The move places Excelsior Springs in a conference of schools with similar enrollments and postseason classifications, replacing St. Pius X in the MEC. While the decision was largely backed by coaches, students, and administrators, it sparked some debate over increased travel, instructional time loss, and long-term conference stability.
Why Join the MEC? Key Benefits for Excelsior Springs
Activities Director Eric Marshall presented the Midland Empire Conference invitation, detailing how the move would better align Excelsior Springs with schools of similar size and competition levels. The shift is expected to bring the following benefits:
More Balanced Postseason Competition
One of the strongest arguments in favor of the switch was postseason alignment. In the Suburban Conference, Excelsior Springs often competes against larger schools in MSHSAA postseason play, creating disadvantages in roster depth and overall competition levels.
In contrast, the MEC consists primarily of schools in Class 3 and Class 4, meaning that Excelsior Springs will compete against teams of similar size in playoffs, giving student-athletes a fairer opportunity for success.
Improved Middle School Athletic Development
The MEC allows seventh graders to participate in middle school sports, unlike the Suburban Conference, which requires seventh graders to play on eighth-grade B teams.
“Giving our seventh graders the opportunity to develop and compete at their own level will be a game-changer,” said Marshall. “This will help our programs grow from the ground up and create a smoother transition into high school athletics.”
Greater Flexibility in Scheduling
The MEC operates on a single round-robin format, allowing Excelsior Springs to schedule more non-conference games.
“In the Suburban Conference, we have to play every team twice,” Marshall explained. “In the MEC, we’ll only face conference opponents once per season, opening up opportunities to schedule games against regional rivals like Kearney and Smithville.”
This flexibility enhances competition variety while also allowing teams to schedule more home games, potentially reducing travel burdens.
Increased Competitive Success in the Regular Season
Excelsior Springs currently faces larger suburban schools, such as Winnetonka (939 students), Grandview (876), and Raytown South (861). With 561 students, Excelsior Springs is among the smallest schools in its current conference.
By joining the MEC, Excelsior Springs will compete against schools closer in size, including:
- Savannah (555 students)
- Benton (497 students)
- Lafayette (492 students)
- Chillicothe (426 students)
- Maryville (381 students)
- Cameron (345 students)
- Bishop LeBlond (105 students, competing in 8-man football)
Supporters of the move believe this will increase Excelsior Springs’ chances of success across multiple sports.
Concerns Raised by Board Member Traci White
Despite the majority vote, board member Traci White raised several concerns about the impact of the switch, focusing on increased travel distances, potential loss of instructional time, and long-term conference stability.
Increased Travel and Budget Concerns
According to district estimates, travel for conference games will increase by an average of 200 miles per season, equating to an estimated $375 per year per sport. The longest conference travel distance will be 106 miles to Maryville.
“We talk about time in the classroom as a key focus for our district,” White said. “If we adjust schedules for travel, kids get home later, and then how effective are they the next day?”
White also noted that while some conference games could be scheduled on Fridays, not all matchups will allow for this, potentially leading to early dismissals or late returns for student-athletes.
Stability and Long-Term Viability of the Move
White also questioned whether the MEC would provide a long-term solution or if the district could find itself reconsidering another switch in the near future.
“We moved from the MRVC to the Suburban Conference just a few years ago,” White pointed out. “Are we solving our problems with this move, or are we going to be having this conversation again in five years?”
White also questioned whether moving to the Midland Empire Conference aligned with the district’s broader goals, arguing that competing against tougher opponents in the Suburban Conference had strengthened Excelsior Springs’ teams for postseason play. She pointed out that the board has often discussed aspiring to match the academic rigor and teacher pay of Suburban Conference schools, yet now, when it comes to athletics and activities, the district is choosing to step down in competition to face smaller schools. “If we want to be like Smithville and Kearney academically, then why are we saying we don’t want to compete with them athletically?” White asked. She also expressed disappointment that the district had not formally surveyed parents on their thoughts regarding the move.
A Divisive Yet Decisive Vote
Despite the concerns, the 5-1 vote reflected a strong push from coaches, student-athletes, and several board members to move forward with the transition.
With the vote finalized, Excelsior Springs will remain in the Suburban Conference for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years before officially transitioning to the MEC in 2026-27.
View or download the presentation given by Eric Marshall at the Feb. 11, 2025 School Board Meeting below:
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