The 2026-2027 goals are designed to strengthen the CIF Southern Section’s commitment to education-based athletics by enhancing service to member schools, expanding opportunities for participation and inclusion, modernizing governance, developing educational leaders, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization.
1. Strengthen Member School Engagement and Service Excellence
Continue to provide exceptional service to member schools while strengthening relationships and expanding opportunities for meaningful engagement throughout the Southern Section.
Areas of Focus
- Maintain a high level of service during employee growth and office renovation.
- Increase face-to-face interaction with member schools through school visits, league meetings, and workshops.
- Expand opportunities for student voice and participation in CIF Southern Section initiatives.
- Enhance communication between the Southern Section office, member schools, officials, media, and the public.
- Continue to strengthen communication and engagement with small schools to better understand and address their unique needs.
- Continue to evaluate the competitive equity model and use data to support future refinement.
- Continue to enhance the championship experience through consistent administration, transparent communication, and ongoing evaluation of postseason events.
2. Modernize Governance and Compliance Practices
Ensure Southern Section governance remains responsive, equitable, and effective by evaluating policies, procedures, and organizational structures.
Areas of Focus
- Enhance consistency and efficiency within the transfer evaluation process.
- Evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of Season Previews and Playoff Bulletins as communication resources.
- Review Southern Section bylaws and recommend updates where appropriate.
- Successfully implement and communicate new CIF and Southern Section rules.
3. Enhance Leadership Education and Member Support
Provide innovative educational opportunities that develop athletic leaders, strengthen member schools, and reinforce the educational mission of interscholastic athletics.
Areas of Focus
- Expand educational opportunities for athletic directors and coaches.
- Develop resources addressing the most common eligibility and bylaw violations.
- Introduce leadership development centered on building successful athletic cultures and defining success beyond wins and losses.
- Increase support and resources for small schools.
- Expand professional development opportunities for female athletic directors and emerging leaders.
- Promote sportsmanship initiatives that reinforce positive spectator behavior and foster respect among student-athletes, coaches, officials, and school communities.
- Support leadership development opportunities for Student-Athlete Advisory Council members.
- Promote and expand Unified Sports opportunities that foster inclusion, participation, and educational experiences for all students.
4. Ensure Organizational Sustainability and Operational Excellence
Maintain the long-term financial health, operational effectiveness, and organizational capacity necessary to support the Southern Section’s continued growth.
Areas of Focus
- Maintain a balanced budget while identifying operational efficiencies.
- Evaluate staffing needs to improve organizational effectiveness and member service.
- Strengthen officials’ recruitment, retention, education, and recognition initiatives.
- Continue enhancement of the CIFSSHome platform to improve the member experience.
- Strengthen and enhance Southern Section media, broadcasting, and championship visibility.
- Invest in the professional growth and leadership development of Southern Section staff.