Dear Feehan Families,
We're excited to share an important update about Bishop Feehan athletics that will enhance the experience for our student-athletes and families beginning later in this 2025-26 school year.
After careful evaluation, most of our athletic programs will transition from the Catholic Central League (CCL) to compete as independents beginning with this coming spring season (Spring of 2026). Four programs - Boys and Girls Ice Hockey, Boys Golf, and Cheerleading - will remain in the CCL, as we feel like the CCL (for a variety of reasons) is still our best option for those four programs.
Why This Change Benefits Our Shamrocks
This decision addresses key feedback we've consistently heard from families in our annual surveys these past few years and reflects our commitment to providing the best possible athletic experience:
Stronger Competition: With the MIAA's current strength-of-schedule rating system for tournament placement, we can now put together schedules that are more competitive overall, with fewer games against opponents from much smaller schools. This will prepare our student- athletes most effectively for post-season play and provide us the best opportunities to earn strength-of-schedule points in the MIAA system.
Better Geography: We will significantly reduce long travel distances to inconvenient locations, allowing more time for academics and family commitments and making it far easier for friends and families to enjoy away games.
Complete Programs: We will be able to schedule full freshman, JV, and varsity seasons - addressing the ongoing challenge of many CCL schools not fielding complete lineups at all levels, which often left our younger athletes without games.
Scheduling Partnerships: We are developing formal all-sports scheduling relationships with schools like LaSalle Academy and St. John's Shrewsbury, ensuring strong annual matchups and rivalries at the core of our schedules, while maintaining flexibility to add other quality opponents to fill out our schedules.
What This Means
Our athletic department is working diligently with coaches to build competitive schedules that serve our student-athletes at every level. We'll continue our professional relationships within the CCL and will still compete against many of these schools - but now by choice rather than obligation, allowing us to create the most beneficial schedules possible. This is a benefit for our CCL partners, as well, many of whom had to play us even when the match-up wasn't helpful for their programs either.
This change represents our commitment to continuous improvement and putting Feehan student-athletes in the best position to succeed both competitively and developmentally.
We're confident this transition will provide enhanced opportunities for our Shamrocks while maintaining the high standards of competition and sportsmanship that define Bishop Feehan athletics.
Thank you for your continued support of our student-athletes and programs.
GO SHAMROCKS!
Sean Kane--Principal
Christian Schatz--Athletic Director