CIF panel approves all-sports swap for Oaks Christian and Calabasas

Forget about a new four-team football-only league featuring Oaks Christian, Grace Brethren, St. Bonaventure and Santa Clara.

The CIF Releaguing Committee upheld appeals from the four schools during a hearing Wednesday morning at Los Alamitos.

In February, Northern Area administrators voted in favor of creating the controversial new league, which would have pitted a pair of state powerhouses— OCHS and St. Bonaventure— against much smaller programs.

Following the appeals hearing, a CIF panel voted in favor of an all-sports swap between Oaks Christian and Calabasas, with OCHS joining the Marmonte League and Calabasas going to the TriCounties Athletic Association beginning in 2010-11.

OCHS athletic director Jan Hethcock said the decision can be appealed during a CIF Executive Council meeting on May 20.

"Right now we're going to move forward with this decision," said Hethcock, adding that he still had concerns with the proposal based on school enrollment.

Under this plan, Grace Brethren would remain in the TCAA and St. Bonaventure will continue to compete in the Channel League for football, Hethcock said. — Stephen Dorman