Wausau East hockey players are still waiting for a varsity home next season, and the Wausau School Board is now looking at its legal options to get them one.

East previously played in a co-op with Merrill, but Merrill left that arrangement to form its own team after it had enough players. East then sought to form a co-op with Wausau West for varsity boys hockey.

Three Wisconsin Valley Conference members - Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids and Stevens Point - opposed the East-West co-op. Their votes produced a 3-3 tie, and the proposal failed.

School board members criticized the opposing schools, saying the vote denied East players a chance to play and suggesting the opposition was driven by concern about facing a stronger combined team.

The board ultimately authorized hiring legal counsel to evaluate and pursue its options. Another conference vote on the co-op is expected on Dec. 9.