What a Year!

Now that our sports year is officially over, it is time to reflect back on what a year it has been. 2012-2013 will certainly be a year I will never forget. It was highlighted by what I often referred
to as The Big Three: honoring our 100th Anniversary, the debut of the CIFSSHome system and the implementation of new state-wide transfer rules.

1. There was much to celebrate this year and we hope that your 100th Anniversary banner, the
   list of 100 Athletes for 100 Years and your 100th Anniversary Yearbook were just a few of the gifts you were able to enjoy. There is one more present coming our way and that will be the 100th Anniversary television show being produced by our partners at Fox Sports West that will air sometime in August. Stay tuned for information on when it will air and I think you will love it. In looking back at our past, it became more and more evident that the CIF Southern Section and what it stands for are truly something to be proud of. I hope that all of our member schools and our student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors and administrators share in that pride and realize that you are who this special organization is and always will be.
2. The first year of CIFSSHome has made a tremendous difference in how we communicate with you and how you communicate with us. We are extremely pleased with the progress we made this year and we certainly knew there would be an adjustment period to get this system functioning to its full capability. With the first year behind us, that effort will continue in the time ahead, but there is no doubt that CIFSSHome has made an incredible impact on your ability and our ability to work together more quickly and more efficiently than we ever have before. I thank you for your patience and understanding as we strive to make this system even better and always know that we are fully committed to doing so. I am truly excited to see the enhanced CIFSSHome next year and you will be too.
3. The new state-wide transfer rules that took effect this year have resulted in a significant reduction of legal costs for our section and the State CIF, which allows for those important funds to be used where they should be, for our schools and our programs and to keep membership dues from increasing. In looking ahead to next year, there has been a concerted effort to try not to make any significant changes to the current rules so that all of us can evaluate where we are now and allow these rules to be studied further. I expect that we will have an even better indication of how these rules are working a year from now, so continue the dialogue as we work through Year 2.

While this was an extremely eventful year for all of us with the many changes that we experienced, I look back with a feeling of accomplishment in that we were able to successfully navigate through the many challenges that always come with change. I believe we achieved what we set out to do and appreciate all of your efforts and those of our dedicated staff in making it all happen.

As this memorable year comes to a close, I want to thank you for your hard work, dedication and professionalism in continuing to partner with us in educating the young people we are so fortunate to serve. I am already looking forward to 2013-2014 and all it has to offer us.