ANALYSIS: Update coming from CIF with cancellation of playoffs for some sports possible

Mater Dei football players hold the team flag during the CIF state title game in 2018. Coach Bruce Rollinson’s team defeated De La Salle 35-21. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

CIF Southern Section officials will provide their first update in more than a month on Tuesday morning for coaches, administrators, athletes and fans awaiting word on the future of high school sports for the rest of the school year.

Section Commissioner Rob Wigod said last week that he expects the update to be issued at 9 a.m. and then a press conference will be held in the afternoon.

The update will come as coronavirus cases continue to surge througout the state.

SOME ISSUES:

—CIF CHAMPIONSHIPS: Wigod is expected to address championships for the sports that are included in the first spring season, including football and cross country. He has indicated that CIF officials are considering allowing the football season to start in March if allowed by health officials, but cancelling the playoffs, allowing for more time for league contests at the end of the schedule.

Wigod has also discussed the possibility of football teams being involved in bowl games to end their seasons, instead of CIF playoffs.

The CIF proposes the first spring season sports running until April to be traditional competitive cheer, cross country, field hockey, football, gymnastics, skiing/snowboarding, girls volleyball and water polo.

However, Orange County and most counties in Southern California are in the most restrictive purple tier due to high coronavirus case numbers. California Department of Public Health officials have said that cross country, golf, skiing/snowboarding, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field could be held in the purple tier.

CIF officials have asked that the tiers be adjusted to allow more sports to compete. Wigod could provide an update on that Tuesday.

—-CROSS COUNTRY: The sport is in the purple tier and could start up as early as Jan. 25, according to guidelines from the CDPH. But since there is currently a stay at home order in many counties, it appears that may be tough to do. In addition, athletes need time to train. Wigod may provide some clarification on that.

Wigod has also indicated that a major concern for cross country is travel.

“If they’re going to try and host multiple team events, they have to go to their local health authority and ask for approval to host a local event with more than a dual meet kind of format,” Wigod said during last week’s CIF executive committee meeting.

“Are we going to be able to have a location at Mt. SAC where we have arranged for our (cross country) championships? Are we going to be allowed to have that location host schools from seven counties?”

BOYS VOLLEYBALL: CIF Southern Section officials announced last week that boys volleyball would start on Saturday, March 13.

However, it is expected that state, county and local health officials would have to give final approval. Officials could address this Tuesday.

SOME QUESTIONS:

ENFORCEMENT: If teams decide to conduct sporting events which are not allowed by the California Department of Public Health will there be ramifications and will CIF take action?

TIERS: Are these tiers which the California Department of Public Health has established for when sports can return locked in or can they be adjusted?Wigod said CIF officials have asked for changes.

CLUB SPORTS: How many athletes will decide to go the club-sport route and not wait for final plans from the CIF? Under CIF rules, athletes can play both club and high school sports.

CONDITIONING: If seasons do go ahead, will athletes have enough time to prepare so that it is safe to do so?

FINANCIAL IMPACT: Athletic teams have lost numerous fund-raising outlets since March due to the pandemic. How will schools make this up and how will affect them fielding teams? Due to the coronavirus pandemic, additional supplies and equipment to keep athletes safe may need to be purchased.

UNKNOWN FACTOR: What will the coronavirus infection rates be in the coming months? In the last report from the Orange County Health Care Agency Sunday there were 1,448 new cases and 47 new deaths in Orange County. However, vaccines are now available in Orange County and throughout the state which health officials hope can eventually lower the rates.

Please check back Tuesday for a full coverage

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

RELATED STORY (Dec. 22, 2020):

A look at CIF’s proposed seasons for high school sports, tiers and challenges ahead