JSerra Wins Appeal, Gets Placed in Orange County

JSerra had a huge victory last Saturday when it won its appeal to CIF to be placed in a league in Orange County. The CIF-Southern Section Executive Committee’s original recommendation to place JSerra as a “Free Lance Area” school was overturned so that it may be included into league configurations in Orange County starting in 2006-7. Some of the main arguments JSerra cited for its inclusion included: competitive equity with local schools, severe travel adversity with “Parochial & Small School Areas” and the precedent of private schools aligned in public school leagues.

JSerra now has the opportunity to see its students play in a local league within Orange County. Starting in 2006-07, the school will no longer have to travel great distances to play games, thus reducing academic minutes lost due to travel. JSerra will also have the opportunity to play for league titles and have its student-athletes compete for all-league selections and create rivals within close proximity to its location. Athletic Director, Ralph Grajeda, stated “This has been a long, hard-fought battle, but I’m extremely pleased with the outcome and sentiment of CIF. Our kids deserve to have their own identity within Orange County and to reap the benefits of being in a league.”

Currently, JSerra’s 29 acre athletic complex is underway with construction divided into three phases. The school’s athletic fields (football/soccer stadium, baseball & softball fields), slated to be covered in artificial turf, are scheduled to be ready for competition in May or June of 2005.

The second phase includes the completion of a two-level gymnasium that will open in September or October of 2005, which will house the school’s basketball and volleyball programs. The gym itself will host 2,800 spectators for future events. The third phase includes both 50 and 25 meter pools that play host to JSerra’s aquatics, accommodate the community’s swim programs, and will address the handicap and elderly. The pool is scheduled to be ready for the 2006-07 school year.