CIF Commissioner Rob Wigod says officials plan to make status report on fall sports by July 20

CIF Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod Friday issued a new set of guidelines intended to help coaches and athletes as they try to pave a way for the possible return of high school sports in the fall.

Wigod said in a letter to principals and athletic directors and shared with the media that CIF state officials expect to address the status of all fall sports, including football, no later than Monday, July 20. The update also provides recommendations for athletic physicals.

Wigod emphasized CIF officials remain committed to having fall, winter and spring sports for the coming year. He also made those comments in a recent two-part interview with OC Sports Zone.

High school sports have been shut down since March because of the coronavirus pandemic and a date has not been set for the start of fall sports, including football. Most of the spring sport schedule including CIF championship events were cancelled

However there have been confirmations that high school sports camps are returning, a possible first step toward the start of fall sports. A number of districts have announced that high school athletic camps can begin. Thursday night, officials with the Tustin Unified School District said camps can begin Monday, June 15 for Tustin and Foothill high schools and Monday, June 22 for Beckman under certain safety guidelines, including social distancing.

Earlier in the week, Irvine Unified School District officials and officials with the Newport Mesa Unified School District announced camps would open on Monday, July 6.

Here is Wigod’s update:

“The message I want to convey to all of you is that we are totally committed to having Fall, Winter and Spring Sports during the 2020-2021 school year. I want to remind you that the decisions to reopen our schools, and subsequently bring back athletic programs after they have started their academic year, will be made entirely by each local Superintendent/School Board from a public school district or each private school Head of School/School Board who have the authority to make those decisions. I am sure they will follow the recommendations of state and local health authorities in arriving at the decisions that are in the best interests of their students and school communities. 

“This week, we had a teleconference with the CIF State Office and the 10 CIF Section Commissioners. At this meeting, there was a lengthy discussion regarding the various scenarios that relate to Fall Sports. In the effort to give as much time as possible to make the most informed decision we can, it was agreed that there will be an announcement from the CIF State Office addressing the status of fall sports to be made no later than Monday, July 20. 

“CIF Return to Activity Guidelines – The CIF Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has developed a comprehensive document to help schools/school districts/private schools prepare for their student-athletes to return to athletic activities. Please keep in mind that these are recommendations and are subject to local county guidelines that must be followed at all times. 

“Pre-Participation Physical Examination – The CIF State Sports Medicine Advisory Committee has addressed the situation involving the difficulties students could experience in getting annual pre-participation physical examinations. The CIF Sports Medicine Advisory Committee believes that students need to have a pre-participation physical examination now more than ever. They are recommending that a 30-day waiver to obtain a pre-participation physical examination be available to those who wish to request it after their current physical examination has expired. The specific language related to the waiver is attached to this update. Also, a student-athlete requesting a temporary waiver must submit to their school administration a student Health Screening Form completed and signed by the student’s parent/legal guardian prior to participating in tryouts, practice or interscholastic competition. These documents will be posted on the CIF website, www.cifstate.org, in the coming weeks. 

“Financial Hardship – CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti has made the decision to enact CIF Bylaw 1108.A, which states, ‘In emergency situations, the State CIF President or Executive Director or his/her authorized designee my act for the Federated Council in the best interests of the organization. The action will be reviewed by the Executive Committee.’ Therefore, a modification to CIF Bylaw 207, relating to the consideration of financial hardship for a Hardship Waiver, Unlimited Eligibility, is attached to this update for immediate implementation. 

“Academic Eligibility – Waiver – The situation remains unchanged regarding schools continuing to certify their students for academic eligibility, per CIF Bylaws related to a 2.0 minimum grade point average and a minimum of 20 passing credits from the student’s last regular grading period, even in these unusual circumstances with Pass/Fail, Credit/ No Credit grading policies that have been adopted by many of our schools. 

“Introduction to the CIF Guidelines for Return to Physical Activity/Training: With the health and safety of students in mind, this document is intended to be a framework for schools and school districts to consider in designing return to physical activity/training standards that are in accordance with state and local county requirements. These guidelines are meant to assist schools and school districts as they begin to return to on campus physical activity/training but are not intended to supersede the state and local county directives designed to ensure student health and safety. 

“Much of the information in this document is consistent with the previously released NFHS Guidance for Opening Up High School Athletics and Activities, with the major exception of the Pre-Participation Physical Examination waiver that the CIF is allowing. The waiver that the CIF is allowing is described in the guidelines. In order to be granted a temporary waiver of the Pre-Participation Physical Examination (Bylaw 503.G.), the parent/legal guardian and student MUST complete, sign and submit to their school administration the required 503.G. Waiver and Release of Liability Form. In addition to the requirements discussed above, a student athlete requesting a temporary waiver must submit to the school administration a student Health Screening Form completed and signed by the student’s parent/legal guardian prior to participating in tryouts, practice or interscholastic athletic competition. These documents will be posted on the CIF website in the coming weeks (www.cifstate.org). 

“The term ‘phases’ as used in this document is intended to serve as a guideline for schools in developing a process for returning to physical activity/training on their campuses and is not intended to refer to the term as used by state and local county agencies on the gradual opening of workplaces, public activities, and travel. Schools and school districts are strongly encouraged to continually monitor the updates and guidance from state and local county departments of public health and to make adjustments to their process accordingly. This document does not cover return to competition policies in the COVID-19 era. The development of return to competition policies will be disseminated as they become available. 

“This document is not intended as medical or legal advice. Schools and school districts should refer to their local governing bodies and their own legal counsel for assistance.” 

A number of guidelines and recommendations were also shared on the CIF state office website.

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