TO: CIF SOUTHERN SECTION PRINCIPALS/ ATHLETIC DIRECTORS FROM: ROB WIGOD, COMMISSIONER OF ATHLETICS
SUBJECT: CIF SOUTHERN SECTION UPDATE
DATE: JULY 20, 2020
I hope you and your families are well. Here is the latest update…
- 2020-2021 Sports Calendars – Over the last several months, and through the ever-changing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been working on various scenarios to deliver Fall, Winter and Spring sports during the 2020-2021 school year. Below, you will see the results of that effort, with some explanations/clarifications regarding the decisions that have been made. I want to thank CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti and CIF Associate Executive Director Brian Seymour for their leadership, along with my fellow Section Commissioners and our entire staff for their hard work, dedication and professionalism throughout this entire process. From start to finish, the focus has been on how we can serve the young men and young women we are so fortunate to serve in the best way we possibly can, and I commend everyone involved for never wavering in their support of that
- Two Seasons – Fall and Spring – In examining the most effective way to deliver Fall, Winter and Spring sports for the 2020-2021 school year, the decision was made to condense three seasons of sport into two seasons of sport, primarily to help with the spacing between particular sports and the overlap of certain sports between
- Length of Regular Seasons – Regular seasons, some of which were 83 days (Soccer), 81 days (Basketball), 64 days (Football) and 57 days (Girls Volleyball) already had quite a range, in terms of the length of their seasons in previous years. We believe that to help with the overlap of seasons, affecting student-athletes, coaches and facilities, we would standardize the length of the regular seasons to approximately 72 days, for those who previously had more days than that, while leaving the others with less than 72 days alone. In doing so, we would help with the issues mentioned, but keep in mind that we are not imposing any reduction on the maximum number of allowable contests, per CIF Bylaw 1206, in any sport. The total number of days in some sports will be reduced, approximately 5%-12%, but schools can still play the same number of maximum allowable contests, if they choose, in that smaller
- Section Championships – The 2020-2021 sports calendar includes full Section Championship experiences, which means the same number of champions in each sport, the same number of divisions in each sport and the same number of guaranteed entries from leagues advancing to the playoffs in each sport, as in previous
- CIF Regional/State Championships – The CIF State Office has made the decision to streamline the CIF Regional and CIF State Championships competitions/tournaments to no longer than one week, once our Southern Section Championships have concluded. More details on format, dates, etc., will be forthcoming from the CIF State
- CIF Bylaws 600-605 Suspended for the 2020-2021 School Year – CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti has made the decision to enact CIF Bylaw 1108.A, which states, “In emergency situations, the State CIF President or Executive Director or his/her authorized designee my act for the Federated Council in the best interests of the organization. The action will be reviewed by the Executive Committee.” Therefore, a decision has been made that CIF Bylaws 600-605 will be suspended for the 2020-2021 school year. The thought behind this decision was it would not be a realistic expectation, with the major adjustments of our sports seasons, that we would still prohibit students from participating in contests for outside teams during the high school season of sport.
- Summertime Rules Extended – Once we had to cancel the remainder of our Spring sports season in April, the decision was made to have our schools go immediately into Summertime Rules, meaning your athletic programs are under the authority of the high school principal. It has been decided that Summertime Rules will be extended from when the school year begins in August/September through December and the beginning of Fall sports. As schools open and students return, provided state and local health authorities deem it safe to do so, schools can begin their pre-season preparations as they see fit, depending on what is allowed by health authorities during that time period. The only real difference is if the principal allows teams to represent member schools as school teams during the off-season during the school year, schools will be allowed to do so during the 2020-2021 school
- Approval Process – CIF Southern Section Bylaw 54.8 states the following, “In emergency situations, between meetings of the Southern Section Council, the Executive Committee shall be empowered to act for the Southern Section Council when necessary. Any actions taken by the Executive Committee will be subject to review by the Southern Section Council at their next meeting. Emergency situations would include, but not be limited to, those involving disasters, fires, earthquakes, or situations of extraordinary significance affecting member schools and their athletes.” Therefore, the 2020-2021 sports calendars will be placed on the agenda as an Emergency Action Item at the next scheduled meeting of the CIF Southern Section Executive Committee on Thursday, August 13, 2020. At that meeting, per CIF Southern Section Bylaw 54.8, the Executive Committee will consider the 2020-2021 sports calendar for
I have stated previously that if we are to deliver Fall, Winter and Spring sports this upcoming school year it will require vision, creativity, flexibility, teamwork and unwavering commitment from all involved to answer this call to leadership. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and there is no doubt that is where we are right now. It is my sincere hope and expectation that you are ready to embrace the challenges that lie ahead as we embark on this journey together.
I hope this information is useful to you moving forward and if you have any questions, or I can help you in any way at all, do not hesitate to contact me. My staff and I are ready, willing and able to assist you in any way we possibly can.
Thank you very much for your help and support, it is truly appreciated. Be well, stay safe, take care and all the best to you and your families.
2020-2021 SPORTS CALENDARS – JULY 13, 2020
FALL SPORTS
BOYS/GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY FIELD HOCKEY
11-MAN FOOTBALL
8-MAN FOOTBALL GYMNASTICS
TRADITIONAL COMPETITIVE CHEER BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL BOYS WATER POLO GIRLS WATER POLO
SPRING SPORTS
BADMINTON BASEBALL
BOYS/GIRLS BASKETBALL COMPETITIVE SPORT CHEER BOYS/GIRLS GOLF BOYS/GIRLS LACROSSE BOYS/GIRLS SOCCER SOFTBALL
BOYS/GIRLS SWIMMING/DIVING BOYS TENNIS
GIRLS TENNIS
BOYS/GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD BOYS/GIRLS WRESTLING
2020-2021 SPORTS CALENDARS
FALL SPORTS
BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY
First Contest – Saturday, December 26, 2020 SOP Date – Friday, January 29, 2021 (35 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, March 4, 2021 (70 days) Last Allowable Contest – Friday, March 5, 2021
CIF Southern Section Prelims – Friday/Saturday, March 12/13, 2021 CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 20, 2021 CIF State Championships – Saturday, March 27, 2021
FIELD HOCKEY
First Contest – Friday, December 18, 2020 SOP Date – Friday, January 22, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, February 26, 2021 (71 days) Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 27, 2021
11-MAN FOOTBALL
First Practice Date - Monday, December 14, 2020 Week 1 Contest Date – Friday, January 8, 2021
SOP Date – Monday, February 8, 2021 (32 days)
Week 10 Contest Date – Friday, March 12, 2021 (64 days)
CIF Southern Section Playoffs – March 19, March 26, April 2, 2021
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, April 9/10, 2021 CIF State Championships Bowl Games – Friday/Saturday, April 16/17, 2021
8-MAN FOOTBALL
First Practice Date - Monday, December 14, 2020 Week 1 Contest Date – Friday, January 8, 2021
SOP Date – Friday, February 5, 2021 (29 days)
Week 9 Contest Date – Friday, March 5, 2021 (57 days)
CIF Southern Section Playoffs – March 12, March 19, March 26, 2021
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, April 2/3, 2021
GYMNASTICS
First Contest – Monday, January 4, 2021
SOP Date – Wednesday, February 3, 2021 (31 days) Last League Contest – Friday, March 5, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, March 6, 2021 (62 days)
FALL SPORTS
TRADITIONAL COMPETITIVE CHEER
First Contest Date – No Established Date SOP Date – Monday, November 16, 2020
Last Allowable Contest Date – No Established Date
CIF Southern Section Championships – Saturday, April 3, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, April 17, 2021
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
First Contest Date – Saturday, December 12, 2020 SOP Date – Tuesday, January 12, 2021 (32 days) Last League Contest – Thursday, February 11, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 13, 2021 (64 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 6, 2021 CIF Southern Regionals – March 15-20, 2021
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
First Contest Date – Saturday, December 19, 2020 SOP Date – Tuesday, January 19, 2021 (32 days) Last League Contest – Thursday, February 18, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 20, 2021 (64 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, March 12/13, 2021 CIF State Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, March 19/20, 2021
BOYS WATER POLO
First Contest Date – Monday, December 21, 2020 SOP Date – Monday, January 11, 2021 (31 days) Last League Contest – Thursday, February 18, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 20, 2021 (62 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 6, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Finals – Friday/Saturday, March 19/20, 2021
GIRLS WATER POLO
First Contest Date – Monday, December 28, 2020 SOP Date – Monday, January 18, 2021 (31 days) Last League Contest – Thursday, February 25, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 27, 2021 (62 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 13, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Finals – Friday/Saturday, March 19/20, 2021
SPRING SPORTS
BADMINTON
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 6, 2021 SOP Date – Saturday, April 10, 2021 (36 days)
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 15, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Regional Individual Qualifier – Wednesday/Thursday, May 26/27, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, May 29, 2021
BASEBALL
First Contest Date – Friday, March 19, 2021 SOP Date – Friday, April 23, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 29, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, June 18/19, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Championship Finals – Saturday, June 26, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL
First Contest Date – Friday, March 12, 2021 SOP Date – Friday, April 16, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Friday, May 21, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 22, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, June 11/12, 2021 CIF State Championship Finals – Friday/ Saturday, June 18/19, 2021
COMPETITIVE SPORT CHEER
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 27, 2021 SOP Date – Monday, May 1, 2020 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Saturday, June 5, 2021 (71 days) Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, June 5, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS GOLF
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 20, 2021 SOP Date – Saturday, April 24, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, May 29, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Section Individual Regionals – Monday, May 31, 2021 CIF Southern Section Team Championships – Monday, June 7, 2021
CIF-SS Individual Championship/Team Qualifier – Thursday, June 10, 2021 CIF/SCGA Southern Regional Championships – Thursday, June 17, 2021 CIF State Championships – Wednesday, June 23, 2021
(Note – CIF-SS Individual Championship/Team Qualifier, CIF/SCGA Regional Championships and CIF State Championships dates are subject to change, due to course availability.)
SPRING SPORTS
BOYS AND GIRLS LACROSSE
First Contest Date – Friday, March 12, 2021 SOP Date – Monday, April 16, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Thursday, May 20, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 22, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, June 12, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER
First Contest Date – Saturday, February 27, 2021 SOP Date – Saturday, April 3, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Thursday, May 6, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, May 8, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, May 28/May 29, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Finals – Saturday, June 5, 2021
SOFTBALL
First Contest Date – Friday, March 19, 2021 SOP Date – Friday, April 23, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Thursday, May 27, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 29, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, June 18/19, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Championship Finals – Saturday, June 26, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS SWIMMING/ DIVING
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 13, 2021 SOP Date – Saturday, April 17, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Friday, May 21, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 22, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Monday, May 24 – Saturday, May 29, 2021 CIF State Championships – Friday/ Saturday, June 4/5, 2021
BOYS TEAM TENNIS
First Contest Date – Monday, March 1, 2021 SOP Date – Monday, April 5, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Friday, May 14, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 15, 2021 (71 days) CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday, May 28, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, June 5, 2021
SPRING SPORTS
GIRLS TEAM TENNIS
First Contest Date – Monday, February 22, 2021 SOP Date – Monday, March 29, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Friday, May 7, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 8, 2021 (71 days) CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday, May 21, 2021 CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, June 5, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 20, 2021 SOP Date – Saturday, April 24, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 29, 2021 (72 days) CIF Southern Section Preliminaries – Saturday, June 5, 2021
CIF Southern Section Divisional Championships – Saturday, June 12, 2021 CIF Southern Section Masters Meet – Saturday, June 19, 2021
CIF State Championships – Friday/ Saturday, June 25/26, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS WRESTLING
First Contest Date – Friday, March 5, 2021 SOP Date – Friday, April 9, 2021 (36 days) Last League Contest – Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, May 15, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Dual Meet Championships – Saturday, May 15, 2021
CIF Southern Section Individual Championships – Friday/Saturday, May 28/29, 2021 CIF Southern Section Masters Meet – Friday/Saturday, June 4/5, 2021
CIF State Championships – Thursday, June 10, 2021 – Saturday, June 12, 2021
