SIRR Conference stays as is

Much ado about nothing? Perhaps.

On Monday, the remaining 11 schools in the Southern Illinois River-To-River Conference met to determine the fate of the conference where it was decided "unanimously" they would continue to move forward to strengthen the competitive relationships that have existed for the past 27 years.

Late last week, talks surfaced of a new 8-team conference forming, thus leaving out Herrin, Carterville and Massac County.

On Monday, superintendents, principals and athletic directors met to leave both the Mississippi and Ohio Divisions as they are. The Mississippi Division only has five teams (Anna-Jonesboro, Carterville, Du Quoin, Nashville and Pinckneyville) after Sparta left for the Cahokia Conference and the Ohio Division has six teams that include, Benton, Harrisburg, Herrin, Massac County, Murphysboro and West Frankfort.

In a tweet from the official account of the SIRR Conference, it read: The Southern Illinois River-To-River Conference met this afternoon to discuss it's future. After lengthy discussion, it was decided unanimously the eleven schools would continue to move forward to strength the competitive relationship that have existed for the past 27 years.

The SIRR was formed in 1993 and adopted Benton, Herrin, Harrisburg and West Frankfort from the South Seven Conference. At the time, Massac County, an independent school became a member as well, joining seven of the charter members of the Southwest Egyptian Conference, which included, Murphysboro, Sparta, Pinckneyville, Nashville, Du Quoin and Anna-Jonesboro.

In 2010, Carterville left the Black Diamond Conference, joining the SIRR, replacing Chester and in June of this past year, Sparta departed for the Cahokia Conference, leaving 11 schools remaining.

This story will be updated with information as it develops

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois LOCAL Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter