Confused about the CIF Association Rule? I think we all are. The way it was explained to me is that actually there is no Association Rule. The Association Rule is dead…with exceptions. I was also advised that there were no amendments or changes to the rule.
CIF simply clarified the meaning of the old rule in a memo to all Athletic Directors and Principals. The memo was dated September 20, 2013 from CIF Commissioner Rob Wigod and sent to all ADs and Principals in the CIF Southern Section.
Here’s what the memo said:
“There are many outside organizations, NOT AFFILIATED with our member schools, that sponsor high school age activities outside the jurisdiction of the CIF and its member schools/Districts. In many examples, the teams participating use the school name and are coached by school personnel BUT ARE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE OUTSIDE, NON-SCHOOL ORGANIZATION such as club teams, AAU or the local Parks & Recreation Department.”
“Therefore, I am asking your office to review the involvement of students and/or staff from your school in these off-season competitions/leagues and make sure they are being conducted in the color and the authority of an OUTSIDE ENTITY AND NOT YOUR SCHOOL/SCHOOL DISTRICT. To assist you in making that determination, I would ask that you verify the following:
1. The outside group using your facilities for any reason, including practice and/or competition is being treated as an outside user and has followed your required processes to use these facilities.
* Does the WRITTEN approved use by an outside group include the PROPER LIABILITY COVERAGE?
2. Is all the equipment being used being supplied by the outside organization?
* If school purchased equipment (balls, bags, uniforms, etc.) are being used by the outside organization, does the school/district have WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH THAT GROUP FOR THE RENTAL OF THAT EQUIPMENT?
3. NO SCHOOL/DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION MAY BE USED TO SUPPORT THIS NON-SCHOOL ACTIVITY.
4. NO SCHOOL FUNDS OF ANY TYPE ( district, site or ASB) ARE BEING USED TO SUPPORT THIS NON-SCHOOL ACTIVITY.
5. FUNDS FROM AN OUTSIDE ORGANIZATION ARE NOT COMBINED AT ANY TIME WITH SCHOOL/DISTRICT FUNDS at any time, i.e. ASB accounts, etc.
So, according to this “memo” there are standards regarding throwing 7 on 7 (or for any other sport) still in place. Bottom line according to Rob Wigod is if you choose to practice out of season you need to become an “outside” user with no affiliation to a member school.
You must have written proof of liability insurance, written proof of equipment rental from the school, can’t use school buses or vans, and cannot pay for tournaments using ASB funds. The last one is one is really confusing. It appears to mean that a coach can’t pay for half of a tournament entry fee out of pocket and get the rest from ASB.
Apparently the entire point of this clarification is to reduce or eliminate the liability exposure of CIF, schools and districts.
Hope this clears it up…or not.
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