ENROLLMENT CAP SOUGHT
The intent of the move several years ago was to help struggling high school programs — boys and girls — contend for championships.
It was never meant to have large schools beat up on small schools.
In many instances, however, that has been the case. Over the last four years, 60 percent of Division V championships have been won by schools with enrollment of more than 1,000.
In the 2020-21 school year, 67 percent of championships in Division V went to schools with an enrollment of more than 1,000.
In 2019-20, it was 60 percent.
In 2018-19, 100 percent of Division V titles were won by schools with more than an enrollment of 1,000.
In 2017-18, it was just 14 percent, much more of what was intended.
Some of the more lopsided championship games included:
Crawford (1,200 students) over Vincent Memorial (300) in boys basketball.
Orange Glen (1,700) over Holtville (504) in girls soccer.
Classical Academy (1,200) over Calvin Christian (90) in boys basketball.
Hoover (2,100) over Vincent Memorial (300) in girls basketball.
Kearny (1,400) over High Tech North County (400) in boys soccer.
Southwest-El Centro (2,100) over Warner (60) in girls basketball.
Hoover (2,100) over West Shores (350) in girls soccer.
Montgomery (1,900) over Mountain Empire (400) in softball.
Southwest-San Diego (1,700) over San Diego Academy (90) in boys basketball.
The San Diego Section places teams in divisions by competitive balance, not enrollment.
However, the San Diego
Section’s smaller conferences — Coastal, Southern, Southeastern and Frontier — have asked that enrollment for teams in Division V be capped at 1,000.
A proposal was presented to the San Diego Section Executive Committee two weeks ago and there was a first reading Wednesday at the Board of Managers meeting.
“The smaller schools feel there is an imbalance,” said San Diego Section Commissioner Joe Heinz. “They feel enrollment still matters in Division V.
“They feel a disproportionate number of championships in Division V are being won by schools with an enrollment of more than 1,000.”
The proposal, which is for team sports only, would affect the county’s 23 smaller schools.
The proposal will now go to the county’s conferences with a vote coming at the next Board of Managers meeting on March 23.
“I can tell you this is generating some good discussions,” Heinz said.
While the smaller conferences are trying to protect their schools, the larger schools may not want to give up an opportunity for some of their schools to take home a CIF title.
Overall, 23 schools would be affected if the proposal is passed.
Based on current alignment, seven schools from the City Conference, five from the Metro, four from the Grossmont, three from North County, two from the Southeastern and two from the Coastal would be affected.
The proposal, if passed, would be in place for the next school year.
Championship review
Heinz reported the Section did “very well” revenuewise on the fall season championships.
With costs rising to rent college facilities for championships, Heinz expects most championships will continue to be contended at high school venues.
“Escondido High took on a monumental task of hosting three days of football championships,” Heinz said. “They did a phenomenal job.
”Everyone we spoke to agreed it was a great venue.”
Likewise, at the State Football Championships at Saddleback College in December, State Executive Director Ron Nocetti said revenues were up and the site was very well received.
Games canceled
With games in all sports this winter season being canceled, Heinz said the minimum number of contests needed to be eligible for the playoffs may need to be adjusted.
New school
Cristo Del Rey San Diego High has petitioned the San Diego Section for inclusion.
The school, located at 1128 S. 38th St., currently has an enrollment of 125 with only freshmen and sophomores.
The school projects an enrollment of 260-300 and would compete in cross country, boys and girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball and track.
2022-23 calendar
The first draft of the 2022-23 sports calendar is out.
The first football practice date right now is scheduled to be July 30 with the first scrimmage Aug. 11 and the first game Aug. 18. The final regular-season contests would be played Oct. 28 with the playoffs Nov. 4-18 and San Diego Section championships Nov. 25-26.
The State Championships would be Dec. 2-10.