CIF Reversal Restores Varsity Eligibility for Tennis Player
Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP — Case Result
Mark Amador is one of California’s top trial attorneys, having conducted over 100 trials in his prestigious career including numerous high-profile cases
In a recent CIF eligibility case, attorney Mark Amador of Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP successfully overturned a CIF Southern Section ruling that had wrongly limited a high-school tennis player to junior-varsity competition.
The case centered on CIF’s misapplication of its “academy” bylaw — a rule intended to prevent high-school athletes from participating simultaneously in private sports academies and CIF-sanctioned teams. Despite the athlete not being enrolled at any California high school or affiliated with any athletic academy, the Section imposed the restriction, declaring her ineligible for varsity competition for the season.
The restriction jeopardized not just her season, but her long-term college recruitment trajectory.
Correcting CIF’s Misinterpretation
The “academy” rule exists for a legitimate reason: to prevent schools from using private training programs as recruiting pipelines. But in this case, CIF applied the rule where it simply didn’t fit.
Attorney Mark Amador and the Wingert Grebing team immediately recognized the error and launched an appeal to CIF. Their briefing detailed the procedural and factual flaws in the Section’s ruling, clarifying that:
The student had not competed for any CIF member school prior to the transfer;
There was no nexus between her prior participation and any “academy” structure; and
The Section’s interpretation contradicted both the text and intent of the CIF bylaws.
The Appeal and the Win
At the hearing, Amador presented the case with precision: no rhetoric, just facts and rules — properly applied. Within days, the CIF-SS reversed its decision, finding the student eligible for varsity competition effective immediately.
She took the court shortly after — her season and collegiate prospects fully restored.
A Broader Problem
CIF bylaws are notoriously dense and inconsistently applied. Terms like academy, pre-enrollment contact, and athletically motivated transfer are vague and open to interpretation. The result? Well-intentioned families find themselves navigating a regulatory maze that can upend an athlete’s career on a technicality.
This case highlights a simple truth:
CIF rules are only as fair as their enforcement.
When Sections overreach or misread their own rules, the only recourse is an informed appeal backed by evidence and a command of the bylaws.
Why Families Choose Wingert Grebing
Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP is one of the few firms in California with deep, hands-on experience navigating CIF eligibility appeals. Our attorneys handle complex student-athlete matters across every Section — from Bylaw 207 transfers to 510 “athletic motivation” allegations — and have built a record of successful reversals statewide.
When an eligibility ruling threatens a student’s season, we act quickly, strategically, and decisively.
Client Testimonial
“I can’t thank Mark Amador enough. After several other lawyers told me my daughter’s CIF athletic eligibility case was nearly impossible, Mark stepped in with confidence, professionalism, and deep knowledge of CIF regulations. He guided us through every step with care and determination — and great news, my daughter has been granted eligibility. Truly outstanding work!”
Has CIF Restricted Your Child’s Eligibility?
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A CIF eligibility decision can derail a student’s athletic and academic future. You don’t have to face the process alone.
Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP
1230 Columbia Street, Suite 400 | San Diego, CA 92101 |(619) 232-8151
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Laws, regulations, and best practices are subject to change, and the specifics of your situation can influence how they apply.
