A Look Back At The Last 5 Years – 2011-2016

Commissioner’s Message #11

Since being named the Commissioner of Athletics for the CIF Southern Sec on on August 2, 2011, working together with our member schools, the Executive Committee and our dedicated staff, I believe we have been able to accomplish many things that have moved our sec on forward. We have done so in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, which should make each and every one of you as proud as I am for what we have achieved. As we look back over the last 5 years, here are some goals that have been realized…

  • Expanded communica on with all stakeholders through social media, specif- ically Facebook and Twi er, which have seen our followings on those pla orms increase over 120% in our first year and con nued to show significant increases in our social media presence each year a er. (2011-12 and subsequent years)
  • Significant growth in coverage and revenue distribution to our member schools through television and webcasting rights. Each year, we have over 300 events broadcast over television and the Internet and we distribute over $200,000 in rights fees to our member schools. (2011-12 and each year after)
  • Sold out the Champions for Character Golf Tournament, approximately 150 golfers, for the first me in 2011-12 and have continued to do so each and every year since. (2011-12)
  • Created new Commissioners Committees such as the Athletic Trainers Advisory Committee and the Private School Leadership Advisory Committee to open a dialogue with these specific groups and establish relationships with them in an effort to be proactive regarding relevant issues involving our sec on. (2011-12)
  • The CIF Southern Sec on celebrated our 100th Anniversary, highlighted by the 100th Anniversary Gala, held on April 13, 2013, the publishing of our 100th Anniversary Yearbook and the selection of our 100 Athletes for 100 Years, a collection of the finest athletes that have a ended CIF Southern Sec on member schools. Also, through the incredible work of our historian Dr. John Dahlem, we have created a historical library in our office which includes a written history of the CIF Southern Sec on, films from our past that have been transferred to DVD’s, information on All-CIF Southern Sec on teams through the years and Champion- ship Game programs from various sports, among other items. Our library is available to our member schools, the media and the public in assisting them in their research. (2012-13)
  • Implemented a web-based communications system for our member schools called CIFSSHome, which has enabled us to accomplish virtually all of our processes electronically: membership directory information, payment of membership dues, transfer paperwork, input of schedules, rosters and scores, submitting playoff information and entries, etc. (2012-13)
  • Established scholarship program for student-athlete Champions for Character Award winners (2012-13, we began by awarding $500 to each student-athlete. It grew to $750 for each student-athlete in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and is now $1,000 for each student-athlete award winner in 2015-16) (2012-13)
  • Facilitated 6-year extension of the Fox Sports West partnership resulting in increased revenue and expanded coverage of CIF Southern Sec on events on live television and on the Internet. (2013-14)
  • Enhanced championship experiences for student-athletes, coaches, fans and communities by returning Basketball Championships to the Honda Center (2013-14), moving the Masters Meet Wrestling Championships to Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario (2013-14), continuing our commitment to hosting championships at venues like Angel Stadium and Dodger Stadium, conducting our inaugural CIF Southern Sec on Girls Wrestling Championships (2013-14) and for the first me, combining our Individual Golf Championships and Team Golf Championships into one showcase event. (2013-14)
  • Implemented League Compliance Officer position for the 86 leagues within the CIF Southern Sec- on to serve as a liaison between the CIF Southern Sec on Office and each league focusing on be er communication, training and education related to the CIF Southern Sec on Constitution and Bylaws. (2013-14)
  • Established CIF Southern Sec on Hall of Fame/ Distinguished Service Awards Luncheon to honor Hall of Fame and Distinguished Service Award Winners. The event has grown each and every year with almost 300 people in attendance at our most recent luncheon on October 14, 2015) (2013-14)
  • Returned the en re amount of membership dues from the 2014-2015 school year, approximately $475,000, to member schools. (2014-15)
  • Returned record playoff revenue from the 2014-2015 school year, approximately $1.4 million, to member schools. (2014-15)
  • Implemented credit card process for all CIF Southern Sec on Championship events, making it much more convenient for people a ending. (2014-15)
  • Instituted the Athletic Administrator Summit, with 431 attendees, in this first year. (2015-16)
  • Established the CIF Southern Sec on MVP AD Certification Program with 163 athletic administrators taking the inaugural MVP AD Exam. (2015-16)
  • Implemented Competitive Equity Playoff Groupings for select team sports: Baseball, Boys/Girls Basketball, Football, Boys/Girls Soccer, So ball, Boys/Girls Tennis, Boys/Girls Volleyball, Boys/Girls Water Polo. (2016-17)
  • Working with our Executive Committee, Athletic Administrators Committee, Public/Private Committee, Superintendent’s Advisory Committee and Private School Leadership Advisory Committee, revised and updated interpretations of CIF Bylaw 510 to reflect the changing dynamics we are experiencing in communications. (2016-17)

As this year comes to a close, I am truly thankful to you for your help and support in this effort and I look forward to what lies ahead working with the young people we are so fortunate to serve.

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CIF-SS