Louisville Officially Accepts to Join All-American Conference – Press Release

The Louisville Leopards will be ending their nearly decade-long run as an independent athletic program after accepting to join the All-American Conference (AAC). They will begin play in their new conference during the 2026-27 school year.

Official Louisville City Schools Press Release

Louisville City Schools Excited to Join All-American Conference Beginning 2026-2027

Louisville City Schools is thrilled to announce that Louisville High School has been officially accepted into the All-American Conference (AAC) beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. The AAC is an Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) sanctioned league composed of competitive high schools across the Youngstown area.

This exciting development ends a period of independent scheduling for Louisville athletics. It marks a new chapter filled with increased opportunities for student-athletes to compete, grow, and thrive within a dynamic and well-respected conference.

“We are beyond excited to officially join the All-American Conference,” said Superintendent Michele Shaffer. “Our student-athletes and coaches have worked tirelessly to maintain a high level of excellence as an independent program, and now they will have the opportunity to build meaningful rivalries and traditions within a strong, competitive league. This is a major win for our entire Louisville community.”

The AAC currently includes powerhouse schools such as Austintown Fitch, Boardman, Canfield, Howland, and Warren Harding. Louisville’s inclusion strengthens the league and offers fresh competition across a range of athletic programs.

AAC Commissioner Jim De Toro confirmed the news, sharing: “The AAC superintendents voted unanimously to welcome Louisville into the conference. We are confident that Louisville will be a great fit and enhance the competitive spirit and integrity of the AAC. We are looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship for all of us.”

Terrie Horn, Louisville City Schools Athletic Director, shared her enthusiasm as well:

“This is a great day for Louisville Athletics, a day that has been in the works for a while now. Our coaches and athletes have faced the challenge of independent scheduling with pride and determination, and joining the AAC allows us to align with schools that share our passion for competition and sportsmanship. We’re looking forward to building new rivalries and traditions while continuing to represent the Leopard name with pride.”

Louisville City Schools looks forward to collaborating with AAC leadership and member schools as the district prepares for the transition over the next school year. Additional details, including scheduling and divisional alignment, will be shared as they become available.

Interview with Athletic Director Terrie Horn on Kenny & JT Show

All-American Conference Press Release

Louisville City School District Joins the All-American Conference

LOUISVILLE, OH [JULY 23,2025] — The All-American Conference (AAC) proudly announces that the Louisville City School District has been accepted as the league’s newest member. The Louisville Leopards officially joined the OHSAA-sanctioned conference on July 23, 2025, joining a competitive field of respected member schools across Northeast Ohio. Full AAC Conference competition will begin with all sports except football in the Fall season of 2026.

The AAC supports student-athletes across multiple sports and promotes sportsmanship, competition, and academic excellence. Member districts include Austintown Fitch, Boardman, Canfield, Howland, and Warren G. Harding.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Louisville to the AAC family,” said AAC League Commissioner James DeToro. “Their athletic tradition, community support, and competitive spirit make them a perfect fit. We’re excited for the energy and excellence they’ll bring to the league.”

Louisville brings a strong athletic history and a commitment to excellence in both academics and extracurricular activities. The move offers the Leopards the opportunity to compete in a well-established conference with schools of similar size and values.

“Joining the All-American Conference is a great step forward for our district and student-athletes,” said Michele Shaffer, Superintendent of Louisville City Schools. “We are excited for the new rivalries, friendships, and opportunities this move will bring for our entire school community.”

Acknowledgement Press Release from July 14

Louisville City Schools Acknowledges Potential Opportunity to Join All-American Conference

Louisville, OH – While no official decision has been made at this time, Louisville City Schools can confirm that they were notified today at 3:35 pm that the All-American Conference (AAC) had voted to include Louisville High School in the conference beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.

The AAC, an Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) sanctioned league, is composed of high-performing high schools across the Youngstown area, including Austintown Fitch, Boardman, Canfield, Howland, and Warren Harding. According to the email from AAC Commissioner Jim De Toro, Louisville’s invitation was the result of a unanimous vote by AAC superintendents.

While this is an exciting opportunity for the district, no formal contract has been signed, and no final decision has been made. The district’s administration and Board of Education will review the contract in the coming weeks to determine whether joining the AAC is the right fit for Louisville’s student-athletes.

“We appreciate the invitation from the All-American Conference and the confidence they’ve shown in our athletic program,” said Superintendent Michele Shaffer. “While this is certainly an exciting possibility, we want to ensure we take the time necessary to fully evaluate what this move would mean for our students, staff, and families before moving forward.”

Terrie Horn, Louisville City Schools Athletic Director, added:

“We’ve always been proud of how our athletes and coaches have embraced the challenges of independent scheduling, and we’re grateful for the relationships we’ve built along the way. Being considered for membership in a strong league like the AAC is an honor, and we will continue working through the appropriate steps before any decisions are finalized.”

Return to Conference Competition

The Leopards have competed as an independent since the Northeastern Buckeye Conference disbanded following the 2017-18 school year. Louisville joined the Northeastern Buckeye Conference in 1988 for football, and 1990 for all other sports, after previously being a member of the Federal League (1968-1990). Louisville was also previously a member of the Tri-County League (1932-1966) and Stark County League.

About the All-American Conference

The All-American Conference was formed in 2008 through a merger of the Trumbull Athletic Conference and the Metro Athletic Conference (formerly the Mahoning Valley Conference). At its peak, the league featured over 20 teams across four divisions (Gold, Red, White, and Blue), with alignment based on school enrollment and sport. Over time, some divisions broke off or disbanded, and as of 2025, the AAC primarily consists of its former Red Division schools.

Current competing AAC members include:

• Canfield Cardinals – Joined in 2008 (from Metro Athletic Conference)
• Howland Tigers – Joined in 2008 (from Metro Athletic Conference)
• Austintown Fitch Falcons – Joined in 2011 (from Federal League; Football joined in 2014)
• Boardman Spartans – Joined in 2014 (from Federal League)
• Warren G. Harding Raiders – Joined in 2014 (from Lake Erie League)

With Louisville joining, the AAC bolsters its membership with another strong all-sports program.

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