CIF Bowl Games expanded to 13 games in 2015

By a vote of 71-64, the proposal to expand the California Interscholastic Federation football bowl games from five to 13 games was passed Friday in San Jose.

Four other proposals, bylaws and/or additions were passed — all unanimously — at the Federated Council meeting held at the Double Tree Hotel adjacent to the San Jose Airport, but most folks were interested in the football expansion.

Part of the interest was because football expansion is not only a lightning-rod issue, but also because the vote figured to be close.

It was.

See original proposal story

Only three of the 10 sections voted against the proposal, but they were big ones — the Southern (34 points), North Coast (14) and Central Coast (11).

The Sac-Joaquin (17), San Diego (12), Central (11), Northern (5), San Francisco (2) and Oakland (2) sections voted in favor.

Twelve additional votes are counted from these organizations and individuals:

* California Coaches Association (CCA)

* California Association of Private School Organization (CAPSO)

* California State Athletic Director Association (CSADA)

* California School Boards Association (CSBA)

* Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)

* Superintendents Representative

* California Department of Education

* California Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD)

* California Association of Directors of Activities (CADA)

* State CIF President

* State CIF past president

* State CIF President-elect

In addition to the three sections that voted against the proposal, so did the CAPSO, CAHPERD and the CADA.

The 13-game format will be implemented in 2015, said CIF Associate Executive Director Ron Nocetti.

The football bowl system has been scrutinized since its inception in 2006 for being, like the BCS, a subjective process — the CIF commissioners handpicked first the Bowl teams, then the regional finalists, which then played for Bowl spots.

Now, all 51 section champions move into regional championships to create 24 regional title games from the North and South. As they do presently, the commissioners would choose the top team from each region to advance directly to a state Open Division title game. Two other champions will partake in a play-in game.

The winners from the regional games would then face off the following week, giving California 13 state champions.

The state bowl title games would likely take place at three sites, at least, on the same Friday and Saturday. The main site, which will include the Open Large Division, will be at Sacramento State University. From its inception, all the bowl title games were at the StubHub Center in Carson.

The new divisions are: Open Large, 1AA, 1A, 2AA, 2A, 3AA, 3A, 4AA, 4A, 5AA, 5A, 6AA and Open Small.

The new format answers at least a couple of complaints to the former system:

* Three champions from the Central Section (Divisions I, III and V) would be moved to the North. All of Central Section has always been lumped in with the South. This move is to even up the brackets.

* Sections will be able to advance non-section championship teams from an Open Division. Currently, only the Central Coast and San Diego section puts together open divisions.

The other items to pass Friday:

* Proposed Bylaw 503 Concussion Protocol Revision: Motion passed unanimously.

* Bylaw 1901 A&B Additions: Motion passed unanimously.

* 1502 (baseball) and 2502 (softball) additions: Motion passed unanimously.

* Proposed revision of Bylaw 22.B.(9) Training and Bylaw 503J. Sudden cardiac arrest protocol: Motion passed unanimously.