Bowl Proposal Is Expected to Pass

Despite dissension from the Southern Section, the largest and most powerful of California’s 10 sections, the proposal for state football bowl games is expected to pass when the CIF Federated Council votes on it next week.

The Southern Section rejected the proposal by a 51-21 vote Thursday at its regular council meeting, but commissioners from the City, San Diego, Central, Sac-Joaquin, San Francisco, Oakland and Central Coast sections said Thursday that their sections would support the proposal.

Those sections account for 70 votes -- five more than it will need to pass. The Southern Section has 32 votes. The North Coast Section, which includes state power Concord De La Salle, votes today and is expected to reject the proposal.

“It’s rare that you see things go the opposite way of the Southern Section,” said Pete Saco, Sac-Joaquin Section commissioner. “They control a lot of the power there.”

The Central Coast Section, with 12 votes, cleared the way for the proposal’s passage. “We surprised everybody,” said Commissioner Nancy Lazenby Blaser. “The thought process was that it will rarely affect one of our teams, but we will reap the benefits.”

The proposal calls for three enrollment-based bowl games between teams from Northern and Southern California in 2006 and 2007. Only section champions are eligible and the teams will be selected by a committee.

All the revenue generated from the games will go to a state fund to be used for coaching education programs. Participating schools will have travel expenses paid but will not get a cut of the gate receipts or television deals. There is no provision that provides expenses for bands or cheerleaders.

“That’s a big negative,” Mission Viejo Coach Bob Johnson said. “The two teams should be getting some of the money back.”

Invited teams are not required to play, but Shawn Ashley, the Long Beach Poly principal who opposed the proposal, said he doesn’t expect a team would say no. “You would have a lot of people to answer to if you did that,” he said. “I couldn’t deny the kids that opportunity if we are selected.”