All-CIF spins into irrelevancy
The All-CIF-Southern Section teams, in the Prep-dog's opinion, were always a hit and miss affair. Having examined these teams over the years, it seemed that some deserving kids wouldn't make the teams because nobody would lift a finger to promote them. Others seemed to earn the honor because a coach or league rep was pushing them.
Then there's All-CIF-SS volleyball 2007 ... or whatever they're calling it these days. Have you seen the list? Not likely. After calling CIF a few times and calling various divisional coordinators who were at the meeting, the dog still hasn't rounded up any lists for athletes who have made the all-star team for this area.
That team used to be called All-CIF, but after speaking to CIF administrative assistant Kim Willeman and assistant commissioner Scott Raftery, I've been informed it's no longer referred to as All-CIF ... it's not under their auspices, they say. The teams supposedly go to the L.A. '84 committee. And the teams aren't on the CIF Web site like they used to be. They're not on the L.A. '84 Web site either, said Division III coordinator Sonny Okamoto of Gahr High School.
Where to get the All-CIF - er, uh - All-L.A. 84 - team? Who knows. Okamoto said he would send me the D3 team and whatever else he can get his hands on. But he's worried about sending it to me and then having other newspapers ask why they didn't get a copy.
Okamoto and I were musing this morning over the situation - taking the time to pick what used to be a prestigious all-star team for such a huge area and then not letting anyone know who made it. It's kind of like playing the CIF title games in a shuttered gym.
This problem may extend beyond volleyball, too. Okamoto told the dog that if CIF releases the football all-star team and not volleyball, he will be upset.
The dog is already feeling chippy. You shouldn't have to make countless phone calls to learn who made an all-star team. SOMEBODY ought to put it on some Web site. It is 2007 after all.
Anybody else think this is ridiculous - this whole it's-not-my-job, we-don't-want-answer-any-questions foolishness?
I think having to wait for over a month or possibly longer, for them to release the teams is nuts! They have had the nominees since the day of the finals! I think it is guaranteed that football will come out first. I did some research on the "LA84" site and found that the football players were honored in January and Volleyball in February. Why so long?! Any word on when the all-county teams will be released?
No allCIF/ LA84 team yet?...How about an all San Andreas League team for girls volleyball? Has that come out yet, if so, where can I see it?....Thanks
Sometimes these things get changed at the last minute, but the Sun and Daily Bulletin all-star teams are scheduled to come out Dec. 25 (football) and Dec. 26 (volleyball).