Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP is proud to announce a successful settlement on behalf of a local high school student-athlete in a high-stakes eligibility dispute against the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and CIF-Southern Section (CIF-SS).

Following her sophomore track season, our client participated strictly as an “unattached” runner in two open, off-season track meets in May 2025. Unbeknownst to the family, CIF considered this a violation of Bylaw 215, which prohibits high schoolers from competing in intercollegiate contests.

Rather than providing timely notice, a fair investigation, or a hearing, CIF-SS waited nine months to take action. In February 2026—just two days before the start of the student-athlete’s junior season—CIF-SS issued a declaration finding her permanently ineligible to compete in high school track and field for the remainder of her career.

Led by partners Mark A. Amador, along with associate Francesca V. Urrego, our firm immediately filed a civil lawsuit in Superior Court. We sought a Writ of Mandate, Declaratory Relief, and injunctive relief to halt the violation of the student’s procedural due process rights.

Our team aggressively argued that the lifetime ban was an arbitrary and capricious abuse of discretion that disproportionately punished a minor for an inadvertent procedural violation.

We gathered evidence demonstrating that other athletes routinely ran in similar mixed fields without facing career-ending consequences. The firm successfully highlighted the profound damage the ban inflicted on the client’s finite college recruiting window and her present Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earning potential.

After the court set an Order to Show Cause hearing for a Preliminary Injunction, our firm successfully negotiated a favorable Settlement and Release Agreement with the CIF and CIF-SS.

Under the terms of the settlement, our client will be fully eligible to participate in high school athletics again, allowing her to resume her athletic career and regain her collegiate recruiting prospects. Most of all, she gets to be back with her teammates and just enjoy her senior year with her friends.

Wingert Grebing remains fiercely committed to protecting the due process rights of student-athletes and ensuring that governing bodies are held accountable for fair and uniform enforcement of their rules.

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.