Some time ago, Grand View Christian School in Des Moines petitioned the member schools of the Heart of Iowa Activities Conference to become the league’s ninth member. The application was rejected and GVC appealed and the issue went to a mediation hearing last week. All schools involved were at the hearing, as were two mediators, and Iowa High School Athletic Association Executive Secretary Tom Keating, and Jean Berger, head of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

As a result of the hearing, news release including six parameters for consideration of entry into HOIAC were sent to Raccoon Valley Radio. Current conference member schools would re-consider admitting GVC to the conference for the 2023-24 school year upon a showing of completing the six parameters by the end of the 2022-23 school year.

Among the parameters having to do directly with competing on the various fields of play is a stipulation GVC would offer comparable wrestling, plus boys and girls golf teams by the time entry becomes effective. They currently do not field their own teams in those sports. Also, they would have been able to field A and B teams in at least volleyball and boys and girls basketball for junior high (middle school) sport. Plus, varsity, JV, JV2 teams in volleyball, baseball, softball, and boys and girls basketball for high school.

It was also noted the parties understand Grand View Christian will be free to explore membership in other conferences.