A look back at the CIF decision that re-arranged high school sports for 2020-21

Corona del Mar players charge out before a game last season. CdM won the CIF and state title. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

About a week ago, CIF Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod announced at a press conference that officials planned to move most fall sports to December 2020 and begin football on Jan. 8, 2021.

The decision to divide sports into two seasons was made in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has haulted high school sports since March. Fall sports typicaly begin in August.

In order for the new plan to work, high schools need to be back to in-person schooling and state and local guidelines would have to allow high school sports to be conducted safely, Wigod said.

During the week, OC Sports Zone published a number of stories, including a question and answer interview with Comissioner Wigod, who explained the process step-by-step.

We will be keeping you updated as we get closer to December with any new developments. We will also be providing special features in the months to come. We welcome your story ideas: please email them to timburt@ocsportszone.com

We also realize some of you may have been on vacation when the decision was announced while others may want the information in one place, so here goes:

—CIF Commissioner Rob Wigod announced on Monday, July 20 that high school sports will be postponed and be played in two seasons, some as early as December with football starting on Jan. 8, 2021.

—CIF officials announce key dates for high school sports beginninng in December 2020.

—High school football coaches seemed to greet the news of a January 2021 start with mostly positive reactions.

–Athletic directors at Century and Santa Ana High School reacted to the CIF plan and expressed some concern about staffing and facilities.

—The water polo coach at Northwood High School among those who will be coaching two teams during the same season.

—In an interview with OC Sports Zone, Commissioner Rob Wigod goes step by step through the new CIF plan and said its critical to show a “united front” to bring high school sports back.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com