Council to Consider Policies

The California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Council will discuss how the nation’s “no child left behind” transfer policy conflicts with the section’s new rule regarding athletic eligibility of transfers when it meets today in Long Beach.

The council will also examine whether high school coaches should be allowed to coach their athletes in club sports.

A federal law offers students the opportunity to transfer from academically under-performing schools to better ones within the same district, but a section rule requires athletes who transfer without a change of residence to sit out a year.

The conflict also will be discussed later this year at the CIF’s Federated Council session.

The Southern Section Council will discuss a proposal to eliminate a rule that allows coaches to have contact with their athletes outside of a sports season only during physical education classes.

Changing the rule could open the door for coaches to run club teams that include their schools’ athletes.

Council members are scheduled to vote on a proposal that standardizes golf matches in an effort to limit the number of days golfers miss class. A vote also will be taken on when football teams can have an open date in their schedule if they play a game before Week 1. Currently, a team playing in August must take an open date during Week 1 in September.

The council also will discuss a proposal for state boys’ and girls’ golf championships. Currently there are Northern and Southern California championships.

-- Dan Loumena

Matt Whisenant, who pitched four years in the major leagues, has been selected baseball coach at Van Nuys Montclair Prep. He replaces Marc Saraceno, who resigned after five years to devote more time to his job.

Whisenant, 32, is a graduate of La Canada High. The left-handed reliever pitched for the Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres, appearing in 189 games. He had a 9-8 record with a 4.96 earned-run average.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Frank Mazzotta of La Habra and Roger Takahashi of Fountain Valley Los Amigos have been selected coaches of the 43rd Brea Lions Club Orange County All-Star football game.

Mazzotta will coach the North and Takahashi the South when seniors from Orange County play July 11 at Orange Coast College.

-- Martin Henderson

Tony Barile, formerly the football coach at San Bernardino San Gorgonio, will take over the position at Riverside La Sierra.

Mike Sands has replaced Bob Burt as football coach at Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon. Sands was the school’s defensive coordinator.

A baseball showcase and skills evaluation clinic will be held on Feb. 2 at Mt. San Antonio College. Players will be assessed by professional scouts and information will be submitted to USA Baseball for future national team consideration.

Information: (866) 448-4797 or www.performancebaseball.net.