Sault Ste. Marie has always been a place that holds a special place in the hearts of athletes. From basketball to baseball, everyone dreams of having a home where they can showcase their skills. Over the past year, the Sault Ste. Marie athletic program faced a challenge as it didn't have a dedicated conference to call its own. But now, the wait is over as the Blue Devils are set to once again call the Big North Conference home.

Why the Big North Conference is the Perfect Fit

The Sault Athletic Director, Pat Bennin, had a clear vision when it came to finding a conference that would suit their needs. "We started looking at avenues of where we wanted to go and we thought the Big North was the perfect fit for us," he said. By reaching out to athletic directors and superintendents, they began the process of joining the BNC.In November, Sault Area Public Schools officially announced their intention to join the BNC in the fall of 2025. This move not only brings back a sense of belonging but also provides an opportunity for the teams to compete at a higher level.

History of the Sault in the Big North Conference

The Sault has a rich history with the Big North Conference. They were an original member from 1997 to 2004 and now, they are making a comeback. This time, they will be competing in a variety of sports including baseball, basketball, cross country, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track, volleyball, and wrestling.For years, the Sault has been competing against BNC teams in every sport. This familiarity with the conference makes the transition seamless. As Bennin said, "It seemed like an easy fit considering we play them in a lot. We play them in basketball, play in baseball and softball and we're already in a conference with them for football. It just seemed like a logical way to get our sports in a conference."

The Rivalry with Petoskey

One of the teams the Blue Devils meet more than anyone in the BNC is Petoskey. An easy drive up or down I-75 makes their matchups even more exciting. Now, with the Sault joining the league, these games will have a little extra on the line.Petoskey Athletic Director Joel Dohm is excited about the new competition. "It is great to have the Sault joining the league. We compete with them in just about every sport each year, now we will be making them league contests. It is hard for larger schools here in the North to find a spot to be with schools their same size, so this is a natural fit for both them and the rest of the BNC."

Enrollment and Size Comparisons

While the Sault will be the smallest school within the league, the margin isn't that great. With a 2024-25 enrollment of 802, they are not far behind Petoskey's 834 and Cadillac's 836. Traverse City West is the largest within the league at 1,428, followed by TC Central with 1,302; Alpena with 1,040; and Gaylord with 907.Larger doesn't always mean better, as was evident during the 2022-23 girls basketball season. The Sault girls completed a 10-0 season against BNC teams as non-league or postseason opponents. This shows that size doesn't determine success on the court.

The Benefits of Joining the Conference

Bennin is confident that the move to the Big North Conference will benefit his teams in the long run. "We'll be able to compete. It's high school sports, so you go through ups and downs with all your sports. Everyone is looking forward to the challenge of competing in a conference. Over this last year, not having it, that's probably the one thing I've heard over and over again is, 'Boy, it'd be nice to have a conference to play for.' It just allows you to motivate your kids throughout the year, where as just playing for the tournament is a little different. The competition is going to better us down the road for all our sports."The Sault will continue to compete as an independent throughout the winter 2024-25 season and spring of 2025. But the excitement of being part of a conference is already in the air.Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny.