Transfer numbers for high school athletes continue to drop, CIF officials report

The number of transfers among high school athletes from the last three months of this year have declined by about 82 percent over a similar period last year, CIF Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod said in a report Friday to high school athletic directors and principals.

Total transfers in July, August and September of this year were 493 compared to last year’s similar three month total of 2,864, the report noted.

High school sports have been shut down since March because of the coronavirus pandemic and the start of fall sports postponed until December with football scheduled to start in January 2021.

Wigod also noted in his report about actions and discussions during the CIF Southern Section Council meeting, which was held virtually on Thursday.

The council approved a new rule by a vote of 83-7-1, noting that two yellow cards in a soccer match will result in an ejection from that game, however it will not result in a suspension from the next game, amending the previous rule. A red card will continue to result in an ejection and a suspension from the following match, officials said.

Wigod also noted that a state-wide proposal for having beach volleyball as a CIF sport was introduced for future consideration.

In addition, the maximum number of contests for baseball and softball in a season has been capped at 28, CIF officials said.

Wigod’s letter also indicated the CIF schedule which has sports starting in December and football in January 2021 remains in place.

“Our member schools have done a remarkable job of arranging schedules and making plans for what lies ahead, and I truly appreciate the incredible efforts they have made in service to our student-athletes,” Wigod said in his letter Friday.

“Hopefully, progress will continue to be made in getting our students back on campus for academics and athletics as we forge on through these unprecedented times.”

Wigod also provided an update Thursday during the council meeting, in which the media, including OC Sports Zone, were invited to cover.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; ocsportszone.com