Area IV Teams Folded

From the Gaston Gazette


Two Area IV American Legion programs fold

Richard Walker
North Carolina American Legion Area IV will have its lowest number of teams in 24 years after Union County and Sylva dropped out of league competition in the last couple of weeks.

It also means only one of the 17 teams in Area IV will be eliminated from postseason play during the current regular season.

Area IV commissioner Bill Murray said Tuesday he was informed of Union County's withdrawal about two weeks ago while Sylva informed him it would not be playing on Monday. Murray said Union County, which had been placed in the Eastern Division, cited financial concerns and Sylva, which had been placed in the Western Division, cited lack of interested players and uncertainty over a playing facility.

The withdrawals leave the Eastern Division with nine teams and the Western Division with eight teams. The East includes the Gaston Braves, Gastonia, Kings Mountain and Lincoln County and the West includes Cherryville and Shelby.

The last time Area IV had as few as 17 teams was 1986. Area IV had a record-24 teams in 1999 and had fielded 19 or more teams every year since 1990.

 

I can fully understand the pain that Union County has, it is expensive and corporate sponsorships are off dramically.

Sylva probably was tough draw in such a small area to pull from. One thing for sure, I bet noone will miss that drive to Sylva.

 

folded...

So what is happening to get those schools reassigned? I know 2 very good players from the Union County team that want to play!