RSS FeedsProposal for separate playoff divisions for public, private schools is withdrawn
Southern Section council does vote to eliminate Association Rule, freeing coaches to work with their players during the off-season and on club teams.
A proposal to create separate playoff divisions for private and public high schools in the Southern Section was withdrawn Thursday by the Century League moments before league representatives were scheduled to vote.
Jerry Halpin, principal at Brea Olinda and president of the Century League, said the league still strongly supports the proposal but wanted more time to examine legal issues and conduct further research.
There was good reason for supporters of the proposal to pull it because a survey conducted by The Times of arriving league members found at least 38 representatives prepared to reject the proposal, with 18 in support and five undecided. There were 78 voting members who attended Thursday’s council meeting in Long Each. To pass a proposal requires 50% of the vote.
CIF legal counsel and the executive committee had recommended rejection of the proposal.
Halpin indicated another attempt to pass the proposal could come as early as October.
A committee will be formed by Southern Section Commissioner Jim Staunton to examine issues brought up by public schools who have complained about inequities.
In a major reversal, league members voted 41-37 to eliminate the Association Rule that has prevented Southern Section coaches from coaching their own players out of season. It had allowed the Southern Section to impose an unofficial break time for coaches and athletes.
High school coaches will now be allowed to coach their own players on club teams effective July 1, but Staunton expressed concern that players could be “extorted” to join a coach’s club team or not be allowed to play on the high school team.
“This is the biggest change in 25 years,” said Dave Reid, district athletic director for Corona-Norco. “It’s going to force principals to take charge of their athletic programs.”
Principals in the Southern Section must decide on use of their facilities by their own coaches during the off-season, with liability issues in the forefront.
“They are the gatekeepers, and it’s what they are willing to allow,” Reid said.
An attempt was made to revisit the issue after concerns by some league representatives who thought their vote on the Association Rule only involved girls’ water polo, but it failed to gain the necessary two-thirds vote.
eric.sondheimer@latimes.com
Jerry Halpin, principal at Brea Olinda and president of the Century League, said the league still strongly supports the proposal but wanted more time to examine legal issues and conduct further research.
CIF legal counsel and the executive committee had recommended rejection of the proposal.
Halpin indicated another attempt to pass the proposal could come as early as October.
A committee will be formed by Southern Section Commissioner Jim Staunton to examine issues brought up by public schools who have complained about inequities.
In a major reversal, league members voted 41-37 to eliminate the Association Rule that has prevented Southern Section coaches from coaching their own players out of season. It had allowed the Southern Section to impose an unofficial break time for coaches and athletes.
High school coaches will now be allowed to coach their own players on club teams effective July 1, but Staunton expressed concern that players could be “extorted” to join a coach’s club team or not be allowed to play on the high school team.
“This is the biggest change in 25 years,” said Dave Reid, district athletic director for Corona-Norco. “It’s going to force principals to take charge of their athletic programs.”
Principals in the Southern Section must decide on use of their facilities by their own coaches during the off-season, with liability issues in the forefront.
“They are the gatekeepers, and it’s what they are willing to allow,” Reid said.
An attempt was made to revisit the issue after concerns by some league representatives who thought their vote on the Association Rule only involved girls’ water polo, but it failed to gain the necessary two-thirds vote.
eric.sondheimer@latimes.com
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