The possibility of one final athletic contest for seniors over the summer was floated in a letter to principals and athletic directors of the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS) from Commissioner of Athletics Rob Wigwood on Wednesday.

With spring sports officially canceled, athletic programs in CIF-SS now move to the “Summertime Rules” bylaws.

Under these bylaws, summer athletic programs fall under the authority of the high school principal and are not bound by CIF rules, opening the door for a potential final competition for graduated seniors.

“We are definitely aware that our member schools are hoping to conduct at least one more athletic contest at some point, when it is deemed safe to do so, to properly recognize their senior student-athletes and provide some point of closure for what has already been lost,” said Wigwood in the letter. “Under the provisions contained in Summertime Rules, that is entirely possible.”

The Summertime Rules permit the use of the school names, uniforms and equipment, with approval from the principal, for a contest unrestricted by academic eligibility, residential eligibility or other CIF rules.

Schools would have to arrange for their own facility permits and insurance coverage were they to attempt such a competition.

While projections remain difficult during the coronavirus pandemic, the CIF-SS office also continues to work on potential scenarios for the start of fall sports.

“There will be more flexibility for us in the fall that we did not have in the spring, as we can adjust calendars within a larger time frame and there will be many different options that can be explored,” Wigwood said in the letter. “Just know that we are totally committed to doing everything we can to be able to go forward with fall sports championships.”

The primary factor CIF-SS officials have to wait for is the date schools reopen, which will then allow them to adjust the calendars to an appropriate date when sports can safely resume.

The commissioner’s full memo is available here.

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