Urbandale board hears detailed analysis of potential move from CIML to Little Hawkeye Conference

Administrators presented a multi-page analysis on the possible shift of Urbandale High School athletics from the Central Iowa Metropolitan League to the Little Hawkeye Conference, outlining membership scenarios, travel impacts, competitive balance and scheduling trade-offs.

The presentation, led by district athletics staff, described two principal paths discussed by the Little Hawkeye organizers: a 10-team model split into ‘‘big’’ and ‘‘small’’ divisions and a 12-team model that could include a 6/6 split. Staff noted some invited schools had already declined and that the Little Hawkeye’s stated long-term goal is expansion to provide scheduling stability. The CIML also offered an expansion plan months earlier but the four schools it invited ultimately declined, administration said.

Why it matters: conference affiliation affects the mix of conference and nonconference games, average travel mileage by sport, gate revenue and the competitive environment for teams at all levels. Administration said the district spent $239,855 on athletics transportation in fiscal 2024 and cautioned travel costs could rise under some scenarios.

Board members and administrators reviewed sample schedules and estimated round-trip mileage by sport, with examples showing volleyball and basketball travel could average roughly 30–90 miles per round trip depending on scheduling choices and nonconference makeup. Staff said nonconference scheduling could be used strategically to preserve marquee home games against nearby opponents such as Johnston.

Administrators emphasized the Little Hawkeye’s members include schools that, in many sports, compete in classes closer to Urbandale’s enrollment than CIML members do; they also underscored the Little Hawkeye’s message about ‘‘community and partnership’’ and said fine-arts and middle-school arrangements could be negotiated if Urbandale joins.

Public comment that followed the presentation was split. Supporters said moving would reduce large mismatches (‘‘David vs. Goliath’’) and could boost participation and school pride; opponents warned competing against some Little Hawkeye teams may still be difficult, cautioned about travel and gate-revenue impacts and said the district should preserve longstanding CIML rivalries. Several parents and coaches said the change could influence whether students remain in or quit programs.

Next steps: administration will open a public survey for parents, staff, students and coaches; results will be provided to the board at a future meeting. Staff explicitly declined to offer a final recommendation and asked the board to weigh values such as competitiveness, travel/time-out-of-class, and program participation when making the decision.