Sports

CIF panels weighing options on how to improve transfer rules

Published

11 months ago

April 13, 2025

CIF panels weighing options on how to improve transfer rules

Discussions are getting serious within the California Interscholastic Federation over the idea of establishing a one-time free transfer rule for athletes during their four years of high school.

There are questions about what happens after the free transfer takes place. Should a second transfer result in a one-year ineligibility for varsity competition? Should a valid change of residence be allowed to establish eligibility after the one-time free transfer is used? What kind of hardship waivers will be allowed?

Currently, if you transfer without moving, you have a one-time sit-out period for half the season. A valid change of residence makes you eligible any time you transfer.

These issues are being discussed as part of seven CIF committees put together to figure out priorities for the coming years. With a record transfer number of more than 17,000 statewide last year and another record expected for this year, there’s growing concern that education-based high school sports is turning into AAU or college sports, where students are switching teams for sports reasons whenever they want without consequences.

The largest section in the state, the Southern Section, made it clear during a discussion last month at the state‘s Federated Council meeting that it would not be in favor of switching to a one-time free transfer rule unless the valid change of residence transfer is disallowed because there would be little change from the current rule allowing wealthier families to keep moving from school to school. The Southern Section would be in favor of waivers for military families if the valid change of residence rule is removed.

Another administrator criticized the idea of any transfer restrictions, warning with college sports creating a transfer portal that allows athletes to switch freely every season, high school sports would be falling behind in the changing environment. Other states are also debating whether to remove transfer restrictions.

Redondo Union basketball coach Reggie Morris Jr. said the changes taking place can’t be ignored.

“It you wanted to enter into the business world, you would go to a school that had courses to prepare you. If you want to pursue athletics, why wouldn’t you do the same?” Morris said.

It’s clear the California Legislature encourages school choice and there are so many permits, magnet programs, charter schools and schools offering online courses that transfers are likely to keep growing. How the CIF intends to protect its mission of being about education-based sports is the dilemma as pro and college teams focus on TV contracts and NIL deals to fuel their growth.

Along with the proposal to allow a one-time free transfer is another idea to discourage illegal recruiting: “Multiple transfers to the same school/school program would initiate a meeting with the Section office with the possibility of further investigation.”

That proposal is already being implemented by the City Section and should be embraced by others. There’s nothing more preventative than making sure parents, coaches and administrators understand an alarm goes off when a group of transfers suddenly show up for one sport. It’s a simple but effective deterrent. Any one-time free transfer rule must come with an increased commitment from section offices to enforce illegal recruiting rules. Otherwise, don’t do anything.

Membership schools need to decide whether investing millions of dollars in high school sports should be about winning championships or preparing teenagers to be adults. Yes, you can do both, but there’s too many people willing to cheat, take shortcuts and ignore rules in the name of “helping kids.”

The rules need to be made to let average students enjoy their high school experiences and make it easy for families who want to switch schools for any reason correct their initial mistake. But those families wanting to play the system, enough. You’re welcome to go pay thousands of dollars to a private coach who will keep telling you how good your son or daughter is no matter the truth.

The CIF understands with college athletes free to keep transferring year after year, the pressure will grow for high school sports to follow. Don’t let it happen. There are too many rogue people interested in ruining the high school sports experience to help their own wallets or egos.

Sports

Charles Barkley scolds sports fans for getting wrapped up in Olympic hockey frenzy

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Charles Barkley scolds sports fans for getting wrapped up in Olympic hockey frenzy

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Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley sounded off on the frenzied reactions to the U.S. men’s hockey team getting invited to the White House by President Donald Trump.

Trump talked to the Olympic gold medal-winning team immediately after they defeated Canada in overtime last weekend. He said they would be invited to his State of the Union address and added that he needed to invite the women’s team as well or he would be “impeached.”

Charles Barkley sits courtside against the Minnesota Timberwolves during an NBA Cup game at Mortgage Matchup Center on Nov. 21, 2025. (Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)

Trump critics took the joke as a shot at the women’s team, which sparked questions from NHL and Professional Women’s Hockey League reporters as the players returned to their respective club teams.

“I’m proud of the United States men. I’m proud of the United States women. You should have invited both of them to the White House, but it shouldn’t have been disrespect, misogyny,” Barkley said on the “Steam Room” podcast. “Like, yo, man, why do y’all have to mess everything up? Everything isn’t Democrat, Republican, conservative, liberal. That’s why we got this divided, screwed up country. Stop it man. Because, you know, the public, they’re idiots. They’re fools. They can’t think for themselves. I know y’all say stuff to trigger them. Y’all say stuff and y’all know they’re going to be fools.”

Barkley lamented that the average person would get riled up over the supposed controversy.

The U.S. team poses for a group photo after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Milan, Italy, on Feb. 22, 2026. (Luca Bruno/AP Photo)

“We don’t have to fall for stupidity. But we do – that’s my point. These people out here are stupid. They need something to trigger them. Just because they want us to be stupid. We don’t have to be stupid. He should have invited both teams to the White House. Simple as that. Guys who didn’t want to go shouldn’t have to explain why they didn’t go.”

The former Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns star made clear he would go to the White House regardless of whether Trump was in office.

“I’ve said this before, I’m not a Trump guy. But if I got invited to the White House, I would go. I’m not a Trump guy – I want to make that clear. But I respect the office,” Barkley said. “He’s the president of the United States. But if guys don’t want to go, I understand that too. It doesn’t have to be a talking point. It doesn’t have to be un-American.

Megan Keller (5) celebrates with a flag alongside Cayla Barnes (3) of Team United States after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime during the women’s gold medal match against Canada on Day 13 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 19, 2026. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

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“I just wish y’all would stop falling for the stupidity.”

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Sports

Prep talk: Birmingham’s Slava Shahbazyan celebrates winning state wrestling title

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Prep talk: Birmingham’s Slava Shahbazyan celebrates winning state wrestling title

Three years ago, as a 14-year-old freshman, Slava Shahbazyan made it to Bakersfield for the state wrestling championships.

“It was good to get experience that young,” he said.

Then came Saturday night when he had a breakthrough moment, winning the state 165-pound championship as a 17-year-old senior for Birmingham High.

“It means everything to me,” he said. “It took four years.”

Shahbazyan, who transferred from Chaminade after his sophomore year, is set to attend Stanford and still in the hunt to be valedictorian at Birmingham. Coach Jimmy Medeiros said he was close to winning last season before finishing fourth.

“He got a lot better,” Medeiros said.

Shahbazyan has been wrestling since he was 8. “My father loves wrestling,” he said.

Two St. John Bosco wrestlers, Jesse Grajeda at 144 pounds and Michael Romero at 150 pounds, also won state titles.

Here’s the link to complete results.

This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.

Sports

Deion Sanders mourns loss of Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder: ‘One of my favorites’

Published

21 hours ago

March 1, 2026

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Deion Sanders mourns loss of Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder: ‘One of my favorites’

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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder died this weekend, the team’s head coach Deion Sanders confirmed on Sunday with a social media post.

“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends and loved ones,” Sanders wrote on social media. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”

Ponder was 23 years old.

Details of Ponder’s death are not yet known.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against TCU Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)

Ponder, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller, joined the Buffaloes and “Coach Prime’s” program in 2024 after spending time at Bethune-Cookman before making his way to Boulder.

Last season, Ponder played just two games for the Buffaloes while serving in his backup role. He recorded two rush attempts and one pass attempt.

The Opa Locka, Fla., native also received tribute from a fellow quarterback with the Buffaloes, Colton Allen.

Bethune-Cookman QB Dominiq Ponder takes a snap during the Wildcats’ spring game Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Daytona Stadium. (IMAGN)

“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote on Instagram. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life.”

Ponder was going to be a part of Colorado’s spring practices, which are set to begin on Monday. It’s unknown if Sanders will postpone the start due to Ponder’s passing.

Ponder also received a tribute from the University of Central Florida.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (Tyler Tate/AP Photo)

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“Our prayers are with Dominiq and the Ponder family along with all in the Colorado football program,” the university’s football account on X wrote.

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