CIF BYLAW 510: THE "PRIMA FACIE" TRAP THAT KILLS ELIGIBILITY
If you received a Notice of Ineligibility citing CIF Bylaw 510, the CIF Section is likely not accusing you of taking a bribe. They are accusing you of Pre-Enrollment Contact.
Parents often assume "recruiting" requires an explicit offer of a scholarship or a guaranteed roster spot. This is legally incorrect. Under the CIF Constitution, "Undue Influence" is a strict liability standard triggered by innocent conversations.
I. THE DEFINITION OF PRE-ENROLLMENT CONTACT
CIF Bylaw 510.D broadly defines pre-enrollment contact. It includes any communication of any kind, direct or indirect, with the student, parents, or relatives about the athletic programs at a school.
This includes:
Casual Conversation: A coach speaking to a parent at a club tournament.
Digital Communication: Emails, DMs, or text messages regarding the team prior to official enrollment.
Third-Party Contact: Communication through "associated" persons, such as booster club members or club coaches.
If you engaged in these communications before completing the enrollment process, you have violated the Bylaw.
II. THE "PRIMA FACIE" EVIDENCE STANDARD
The most critical legal concept in Bylaw 510 is prima facie evidence. Bylaw 510.C states that pre-enrollment contact or an athletically motivated transfer is considered prima facie evidence that the student enrolled for athletic reasons.
This shifts the burden of proof. The CIF Section does not need to prove you were recruited. They only need to show the contact occurred. Once they establish contact, the CIF presumes the transfer was athletically motivated. You must then present "sufficient proof" to satisfy the Commissioner that the transfer was not athletically motivated.
Subjective denials are insufficient. You cannot simply state, "We didn't talk about basketball." You must provide objective evidence that rebuts the legal presumption of recruiting.
III. COMMON TRIGGERS FOR BYLAW 510 VIOLATIONS
You trigger a Bylaw 510 violation and the presumption of ineligibility if:
You Follow a Club Coach (Bylaw 510.E.1) If a student transfers to a school where they participated on a non-school team (club/AAU) associated with that school's coach within the previous 24 months, the CIF considers this prima facie evidence of undue influence.
You Follow a Former Coach (Bylaw 510.E.2) If a student transfers to a new school within one year of their former high school coach relocating to that same school, the transfer is presumed to be athletically motivated.
You Attended "Open Gyms" Before Enrolling Participation in programs supervised by the school or its associates before enrollment constitutes pre-enrollment contact.
Related Reading: CIF “Following a Coach” Rule Explained | Undue Influence Transfers
IV. THE PENALTY: MANDATORY INELIGIBILITY
The consequences of a Bylaw 510 violation are severe and mandatory.
Student Penalty: The student is ineligible to represent the new school in interscholastic athletic competition for one (1) calendar year from the date of enrollment.
School Penalty: The school faces sanctions, including forfeiture of games, if they failed to disclose the contact.
V. WHY YOU NEED COUNSEL FOR A 510 APPEAL
Defending a Bylaw 510 allegation is a legal proceeding. You are attempting to rebut a presumption of guilt established by the CIF Constitution.
If the Section Commissioner denies eligibility based on Bylaw 510, you have the right to appeal to the CIF State Appeals Panel. However, the standard of review is rigorous. You must demonstrate that the Section's decision was unreasonable or that you provided sufficient proof to overcome the prima facie evidence.
We structure appeals to attack the sufficiency of the CIF's evidence and build the evidentiary record required to restore eligibility.
If you lose this appeal, there are no do-overs. Your child sits out for a year.
Do not gamble with your child's eligibility. You have one opportunity to present the "sufficient proof" required to save their eligibility.
We know how to rebut the prima facie presumption. We know what evidence the CIF demands. Do not let your pride or your belief in "fairness" cost your child their season.
Contact us immediately. We will fight to keep your child on the field.
