Flint Northwestern Merging Athletics With Flint Southwestern Academy

Flint Northwestern has a storied athletic history, but it will come to an end starting next year.

Flint School officials made the announcement this week that the athletics programs at Northwestern would be merging with Flint Southwestern starting next year.  The decision doesn't come as a surprise considering what happened with the girls basketball program this year.

Flint Superintendent, Bilal Tawwab commented on the move saying,

This decision was not made lightly, as we know that our students and the community have great ties and memories to the unparalleled athletic programs at both schools. Athletics remains an area of keen focus and investment, and we believe this merger will increase competition and create the best opportunity for our student athletes, our district and our community to succeed.

The schools will now need to pick a new mascot, and school colors.  As of right now, it will be up to the students to nominate, and vote on the replacements.

The plan is to keep both schools open for academics, but rumors are already circulating about Flint Northwestern closing their doors for good within the next 2 years. The loss of the athletics program will most likely lead to an even sharper decline in enrollment.  With a shrinking student body, Northwestern is most likely headed down the same road that both Flint Central and Flint Northern went down.

Despite all of the grim facts, it's still hard to believe that a school that produced athletes like Glen Rice, Claressa Shields, Jeff Grayer, Andre Rison, Kelvin Torbert, and many more isn't going to have any sports anymore.

Do you think that this will eventually lead to Northwestern closing?