"We expect to receive that back from them very shortly," McAleer said.
Mainland athletic director Mike Gatley, president of the Cape-Atlantic, said that Hammonton has informed the league of its intention to look into joining the Tri-County.
"You're always disappointed," Gatley said. "But my feeling is always that if somebody is making an educated decision that they think is in their best interests, I respect that decision. I wish them the best of luck."
The earliest that Hammonton, a Group 3 school, could join the Tri-County Conference would be for the 2014-15 school year.
Hammonton would join the Tri-County for all sports, including football. As a member of the Tri-County, Hammonton would become a member of the West Jersey Football League.
Hammonton has one of the best football programs in South Jersey. The Blue Devils have appeared in 15 sectional finals and have won five sectional titles since the start of the playoffs in 1974.
Under coach Pete Lancetta, who has a 197-52-2 record in 22 seasons, Hammonton has appeared in three of the last four South Jersey Group 3 title games. The Blue Devils beat Timber Creek for the title in 2009 and lost in the final to Shawnee in 2008 and to Timber Creek last season.
Football scheduling is believed to be a factor in Hammonton's interest in the Tri-County. The Cape-Atlantic is still working to devise a realignment for football for the 2012-13 scheduling cycle.
A preliminary proposal had the conference divided into two divisions, with Hammonton in the larger American Division with Group 4 teams as well as nonpublic programs Holy Spirit and St. Augustine Prep.
But because Hammonton also plays crosstown rival St. Joseph on Thanksgiving weekend, the Blue Devils would be the only public school to play all three nonpublic schools in football.
