‘Association Rule’ ruled out by Southern Section

Laguna Beach High coaches and athletes will now be able to focus on their sports year-round.

The CIF Southern Section Council voted April 24 to eliminate the “Association Rule,” which severely limited contact between sports coaches and student athletes outside of the sports season. The rule will become void July 1. Laguna High Athletic Director Mike Churchill said the responsibility will now rest with the individual schools in the district, which will decide how much contact is allowed between coaches and athletes during the school year.

“I feel that this rule elimination will make our teams better,” he said. “It basically opens up the ability of our high school coaches to have and run clubs to promote sports.”

Churchill said the athletic department will hold meetings with all of the school’s head coaches in the upcoming weeks.

— Ashley Breeding