CIF revises ejection suspension policy

Athletes in the California Interscholastic Federation’s San Diego Section who are under suspension after being ejected from a game are now allowed to practice during their suspensions and will be allowed to attend the competitions if they are not in uniform.

The CIF San Diego Section’s Board of Managers unanimously approved the change June 3, fulfilling a request by the Grossmont Conference that athletes coming off suspensions be prepared for their next game or meet.

The length of suspension for an ejected player is based on the type of offense which caused the ejection. The general rule is that a player is suspended three games or more for a physical offense, two games for a language-related ejection, and one game for other offenses.

The June 3 Board of Managers meeting also included the tabling of a proposal to make suspensions proportional to the number of games in a season; the Board of Managers will reconsider that proposal after the CIF’s Coordinating Council hears a written proposal in September.

The Coordinating Council voted 26-0 to modify the suspension rule to allow for practice and non-uniform presence at contests. The CIF staff took no position, favoring the concept of allowing suspended players to practice but expressing concern about on-site presence at contests.

The new rule only applies to student-athletes and does not apply to coaches and spectators, who will still be subject to a “sight and sound” suspension.

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