North Adams, Mass. — Following several months of meetings, the Northern Berkshire high schools have announced collaborative changes to their athletic programs set to take effect in August 2025. The four schools—Mount Greylock, Drury, McCann Tech, and Hoosac Valley—have been discussing the long-term sustainability of their athletic offerings and exploring ways to ensure healthy program participation moving forward.
A key focus of these discussions was the declining participation in football programs. Reflecting national trends, schools in the Berkshires and across Western Massachusetts have experienced a decrease in student-athletes playing football. Previously, Drury fielded a cooperative team with Mount Greylock, while Hoosac Valley and McCann Tech operated independent football programs.
After extensive dialogue, the schools have agreed that Hoosac Valley will host a new cooperative football team, combining student-athletes from Drury and Mount Greylock, beginning in the fall of 2025. This decision was guided by several key factors including student-athlete safety, the ability to establish a junior varsity program, and declining enrollment at each school. The cooperative agreement is for two years with the MIAA. The team will compete in the newly realigned Suburban North league.
In 2024, both the Hoosac Valley and the Drury/Mount Greylock cooperative football teams reported fewer than 20 “varsity candidates,” falling below the MIAA’s recommended threshold for cooperative teams. The MIAA suggests that schools with fewer than 25 “varsity candidates” are eligible for cooperative programs. Projections for 2025 indicate that each of the three schools—Hoosac Valley, Drury, and Mount Greylock—will have fewer than 15 players. Neither Hoosac Valley nor Drury has fielded a JV team in the past two seasons due to low numbers. The previous cooperative agreement between Drury and Mt. Greylock had expired after the 2024 fall season.
McCann Tech will continue to operate its own football program in 2025 and beyond. The Hornets remain part of the Tri-County League.
Another significant development from these meetings is the addition of Volleyball as a varsity sport. After surveying student interest, Drury has announced it will launch a Girls Varsity Volleyball team in the fall of 2025. This team is expected to be a cooperative program, with Hoosac Valley serving as the guest school.
Additional updates among the four schools include the following:
McCann Tech will host a cooperative Cross Country team, with Drury and Hoosac Valley as participating schools.
In collaboration with the Special Olympics, Hoosac Valley will sponsor a cooperative Unified Basketball program starting this fall, with Drury participating as a guest school.
Golf will remain a cooperative team at Hoosac Valley with athletes from Drury.
McCann Tech will continue to host a cooperative Ice Hockey team, including athletes from Drury, Mount Greylock, and Hoosac Valley.
Mount Greylock will continue to host a cooperative Wrestling team including athletes from Drury, Hoosac Valley, and McCann Tech.
Hoosac Valley will continue to host cooperative Boys and Girls Lacrosse teams with athletes from Drury.
Drury will continue to host a cooperative Baseball team with athletes from Hoosac Valley.
Hoosac Valley will continue to host cooperative Track teams with athletes from McCann Tech and Drury.