Football: Push for Open Division for bowl games gaining momentum

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There’s growing support for the creation of an open division for the CIF State Football Bowl Game Championships, and that would enable the top team from Southern California to meet the top team from Northern California regardless of school enrollment.

A state football advisory committee is scheduled to meet on Feb. 7 to make recommendations since the CIF Federated Council has approved expanding the bowl games from three divisions to five this fall. A proposal to leave one of those five divisions for a ‘Super Bowl-like’ game could help increase fan interest.

‘As a football fan, I’d be in favor of an open division,’ said Ken Gunn, the event’s director.

Steve Brand of the San Diego Union-Tribune has an excellent story discussing the issue.

It would seem the smart way to go, giving options to the 10 commissioners who select the teams. About the only people who might oppose an open division are supporters of small schools because it could potentially take away spots from schools with small enrollments.

-- Eric Sondheimer