Since 1968, every high school in Brevard County has been a member of the Cape Coast Conference. This association is the athletic body that all of our schools compete in very similar to the SEC, Big 12, and ACC at the college level. The charter members of the conference were Cocoa, Merritt Island, Eau Gallie, Melbourne, Satellite, Titusville, and Vero Beach (in the 90’s a new by-law was enacted that only allowed Brevard County schools to participate which removed Vero from the conference). During those early meetings forming the conference there was a contest held to determine a name to call this new athletic organization and they were offering prizes including a T.V. set, a rod and reel, a set of new golf clubs, and a even a .22 gauge rifle (my how things have changed!). Some of the names submitted included Spaceway Conference, Spaceport Conference, and Countdown Conference. In the end, it was decided that the name “Cape Coast Conference” best represented the area in which we live. And, thus started one of the greatest athletic associations in the state of Florida.
For a number of years, the conference was basically made up of athletic teams comprised of just males. Then in 1975 women athletics were introduced into play and have flourished ever since. During the many years of athletic competition in Brevard County, there have been many outstanding athletes who have not only shined in high school but also have gone on to have stellar careers in college and the pros. The following is a partial listing of many of these outstanding conference athletes:
Astronaut High School
Currently known as the T.V. sports broadcaster, Chris Collingsworth also was an All-Pro for the Cincinnati Bengals. Wilbur Marshall played for the Chicago Bears and is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Eau Gallie High School
Current knuckle baller from the Boston Red Sox Tim Wakefield and first baseman phenom from the Milwaukee Brewers, Prince Fielder.
Melbourne High School
Current manager of the San Francisco Giants and 1999 National League Manger of the Year with the San Diego Padres, Bruce Bochy.
Merritt Island High
Winner of four world championship rings playing alongside Michael Jordan was Wil Purdue. From professional football we have Leon Bright, Derek Brown, Cal Dixon, and Bubba McDowell. From professional baseball we have former player and manager Clint Hurdle. And from professional golf there was PGA player Scott Gump.
Satellite High School
Current NFL star Leonard Weaver. Kelly Kretschmann was a standout on a number of United States Olympic Softball teams.
Titusville High School
Mitzi Kremer participated in the 1992 Olympics in swimming.
During the over forty years of existence there have been numerous issues that have surfaced that the conference has had to resolve. These include the changing face of the Florida High School Athletic Association, gender equity, budgets and athletic equalization, retaining school level coaches, and the transfer of athletes from school to school. Each of these issues have raised concerns that have been resolved to allow our conference to continue to best serve the student athletes of our schools.
The Cape Coast Conference is indeed one of the premier athletic associations in the state of Florida. There are so many people who work so hard to insure our student athletes are provided with the best resources and opportunities to compete including our outstanding coaches and athletic directors. It is very important that everyone understands the importance athletics plays in the lives of our young people. The Cape Coast Conference has been providing those opportunities for over four decades and looks forward to many more years of outstanding athletic competition in the future.