This is Hornet Stadium, new home of the CIF Bowl Championships.
Photo by Gary Jones
After nine straight seasons in Southern California — the StubHub Center in Carson — the CIF State Bowl Championship Games are moving to Northern California.
California Interscholastic Federation Executive Director Roger Blake announced moments ago that Hornet Stadium on the campus of Sacramento State University will serve as the main host for the games starting in 2015.
The current contract lasts through 2017.
"The CIF is pleased to bring the state football Championship Bowl Games to Sacramento State," Blake said in a news release. "We are excited to be holding this event at a facility which has hosted events such as the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships and will allow for a memorable experience for our student-athletes."
Luckily the games weren't moved to Sacramento State this season. It's been pouring rain all day today in the Sacramento region and Carson is slightly overcast with temperatures hovering in the 60s.
Hornet Stadium currently seats 21,195, down from StubHub's 27,000. The largest crowd through the first nine seasons have not exceeded 12,000.
Blake said that the StubHub organization and venue has been outstanding, but that roughly an 80 percent reduction in costs from the Sacramento State bid was hard to pass up. Blake estimated two-day costs for using StubHub is $120,000. Part of those savings, Blake said, will be put directly back into the event.
Blake said the aggressive bid from the Sacramento Sports Commission and knowledge of running events at Sacramento State was vital in the CIF heading North. The Los Angeles Coliseum and the San Jose Earthquakes' new stadium were finalists.
"We want to continue to create and build a 'wow factor,' " Blake said. "The event here has been a well-oiled machine. We need to do the same in Sacramento. .... The (Sacramento Sports Commission) has been awesome. If they can handle the Olympic Trials we're confident they can handle state football championships."
Said Mike Sophia, Director of the Sacramento Sports Commission: "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome the best high school football teams in California to Sacramento. The CIF is a tremendous organization and a great partner, and we are committed to providing a true championship experience for the student-athletes, coaches and fans."
Blake said the hardest part of the process was informing StubHub General Manager Katie Pandolfo that the games were moving North.
"She's a huge high school sports fan and StubHub has been a phenomenal partner," Blake said. "They have made a huge commitment to high school sports and I wouldn't be surprised to be back here in the future."
A CIF proposal to create 26 regional games and 13 state bowl championships is expected to pass this year and could be implemented as early as next season. Currently there are eight regional games and five state bowl games.
