Lake Erie League
The Lake Erie League (LEL) was an Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) sports conference that mainly includes schools in the greater Cleveland, Ohio area.
In 2025, after Lorain opted to join the Greater Cleveland Conference for the 2025-2026 school year,[1] the remaining five members (Bedford, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Shaw, and Warrensville Heights) made the tough decision to disband due to a decline in membership[2]
Members
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| School | Nickname | Location | Colors[3] | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedford | Bearcats | Bedford | Green & White | 1998–2025 |
| Garfield Heights | Bulldogs | Garfield Heights | Blue & Gold | 1968-–2007, 2019–2025(Football 1968–86, 1993–2007) |
| Lorain | Titans | Lorain | Navy Blue & Silver | 2010–2025 |
| Maple Heights | Mustangs | Maple Heights | Maroon & White | 1998–2025 |
| Shaw | Cardinals | East Cleveland | Red & Black | 1928–2025 |
| Warrensville Heights | Tigers | Warrensville Heights | Blue & Gold | 1993-2025, (Football 1993–2014, 2016–2025) |
- In May 2024, Lorain was invited to join the Greater Cleveland Conference for all sports in the 2025-26 school year.[4]
Former members
- Elyria Pioneers (1923–54, to Buckeye Conference. 1997–2003, to Pioneer)
- Lakewood Rangers (1923–2007, to Northeast Ohio)
- Lorain Steelmen (1923–54, to Buckeye Conference)
- Rocky River Pirates (1923–37, to Southwestern)
- Parma Redmen (1951–2003, to Pioneer)
- Lyndhurst Brush Arcs (1962–75, to Greater Cleveland)
- Parma Heights Valley Forge Patriots (1962–2003, to Pioneer)
- Garfield Heights Bulldogs (1968–2007, to Northeast Ohio [Football 1968–86, 1993–2007])
- Parma Normandy Invaders (1968–2003, to Pioneer)
- Berea Braves (1975–79, to Pioneer)
- Middleburg Heights Midpark Meteors (1975–79, to Pioneer)
- Mentor Cardinals[5] (1993–2011, to Northeast Ohio)
- Euclid Panthers (1998–2015, to Greater Cleveland)
- Lorain Admiral King Admirals (2002–10, consolidated into Lorain)
- Lorain Southview Saints (2002–10, consolidated into Lorain)
- Warren Warren G. Harding Raiders (2010–2013, to All-American, football through 2014 season)
- Cleveland Heights Lutheran East Falcons (2017–2019)
- Shaker Heights Red Raiders (1923–2012, 2020–2023, to Greater Cleveland)
- Cleveland Heights Tigers (1928–2023, to Greater Cleveland)
| Lake Erie League Divisions (1993–2011, unless noted) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Division | Erie Division | ||
| Admiral King (2002–06) | Admiral King (2006–10) | ||
| Cleveland Heights | Bedford (1998–2011) | ||
| Elyria (1997–2003) | Garfield Heights (1993–2007) | ||
| Euclid (1998–2011) | Lorain (2010–11) | ||
| Lakewood (1993–2007) | Maple Heights (1998-2006, 2010–11) | ||
| Maple Heights (2006–10) | Normandy (1993–2003) | ||
| Mentor | Parma (1993–2003) | ||
| Shaker Heights (1997–2011) | Shaker Heights (1993–97) | ||
| Shaw (1993–97) | Shaw (1997–2011) | ||
| Southview (2002–03) | Southview (2003–10) | ||
| Valley Forge (1993–2002) | Valley Forge (2002–03) | ||
| Warren Harding (2010–11) | Warrensville Heights | ||
See also
References
- ^"Lorain to Join the Greater Cleveland Conference". GCCOhio.net. May 15, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^Goul, Matt (May 20, 2025). "Lake Erie League dissolving after agreement among administrators". cleveland. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
- ^OHSAA Member SchoolsArchived November 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, last accessed 17 August 2011
- ^"Lorain to Join the Greater Cleveland Conference – Greater Cleveland Conference". gccohio.net. May 15, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
- ^"N.O.C. Welcomes New Member the Mentor Cardinals!". NortheastOhioConference.org. Northeast Ohio Conference. July 6, 2011. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
