How do you follow up on our 100th Anniversary Year? You take a break, recharge your batteries and get ready to go for Year 101. It is with that in mind that I welcome you to the 2013-2014 school year and look forward to beginning our second century as an organization working together with you.
The 2012-2013 school year was filled with many noteworthy changes, specifically the launch of our CIFSSHome system and the implementation of new state-wide transfer rules. I want you to know that in preparation for this school year, there was a concerted effort made at all levels, CIF Southern Section and CIF State, to not make too many significant changes for 2013-2014. It is our hope that with last year’s experiences as a foundation, our member schools are able to build upon the knowledge they have gained working through the new communications system and the new rules to make things easier for you this upcoming year. We have come a long way from where we were a year ago!
That being said, what should we look forward to in Year 101?
- Expanded Communication Tools – One of our top priorities this year is to take advantage of various communication systems to better inform our member schools and all of our stakeholders. Specifically, we will increase our commitment to using social media in getting our message out to as many people as possible. There is something you can do to help. We encourage you, and ask that you encourage others, to like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, Google Plus, Pinterest, etc., and be looking for more updates through these social media platforms, as well as visiting our section website. In this way, we can continue to engage all who are interested and involved in the CIF Southern Section.
- Girls Wrestling Championships – For the first time in our history, we will conduct the CIF Southern Section Girls Individual Wrestling Championships in February, 2014. We are excited to bring this new event to our section and expect this sport to continue to grow and prosper in the time ahead. We have seen significant increases in the number of female wrestlers at our schools each and every year since the sport was adopted. Now that we have a championship of our own, we will see more and more opportunities available for student-athletes to participate in high school athletics, which is what we are all about.
- Boys and Girls Golf Championships Format – Beginning with Girls Golf in the Fall, 2013, the WSCGA Team Qualifier and CIF Southern Section Girls Individual Finals will be run concurrently on the same date, same time and on the same golf course. In the Spring, 2014, Boys Golf will do the same. By combining these two events into one each season, we will not only have incredible competition at the highest levels in our section, we will also save our member schools time away from their campuses and decrease their travel costs.
- Playoff Groupings – This year, we will begin the process of formulating Playoff Groupings for the 2014-2016 Playoff Groupings Cycle. That process will begin in October, 2013 with our yearly attendance survey, continue in January, 2014 with a survey of our leagues to get feedback for divisional placement and then in February/ March, 2014, our staff will distribute recommendations for league/ divisional placement for 2014-2016.
These are just a few of the highlights that you can look forward to in the year ahead and there are many more to come. As we embark on our journey into Year 101, I thank you and I appreciate you for your outstanding work in service to our student-athletes.