SHS grad Ishida stepping down as CIF executive director

The woman with local ties who has led high school sports in California through unprecedented growth has decided to step down.

Marie Ishida, a 1965 Strathmore High gradaute, announced her retirement as California Interscholastic Federation executive director, effective June 30. Ishida, who has served 11 years as the CIF director, announced her retirement on Friday at a State Federated Council meeting in Ontario in Southern California.

Under Ishida’s leadership, high school athletics in California has seen unprecedented growth in the last 11 years. The biggest achievement obviously has been the implementation of a State Championship in football. And under Ishida’s leadership, the State Football Championships have been expanded as beginning next year Southern and Northern California Regional Championship games will be held in each division with winners advancing to the State Championship Game.  State championships have been added in other sports, including soccer and girls wrestling. Under Ishida’s leadership, the CIF also negotiated a 15-year deal with Time Warner Cable to televise regional and state championship events in boys and girls sports.

“It will obviously be a tremendous loss,” said CIF Central Section commissioner Jim Crichlow about Ishida. “She did some amazing things in her 11-year tenure. It will be hard to replace her.”

When asked if he was interested in applying to replace Ishida as CIF executive director to become another local person in the position, Crichlow quickly and emphatically said, “no,” making it clear he had no interest in the position.

The woman with local ties who has led high school sports in California through unprecedented growth has decided to step down.

Marie Ishida, a 1965 Strathmore High gradaute, announced her retirement as California Interscholastic Federation executive director, effective June 30. Ishida, who has served 11 years as the CIF director, announced her retirement on Friday at a State Federated Council meeting in Ontario in Southern California.

Under Ishida’s leadership, high school athletics in California has seen unprecedented growth in the last 11 years. The biggest achievement obviously has been the implementation of a State Championship in football. And under Ishida’s leadership, the State Football Championships have been expanded as beginning next year Southern and Northern California Regional Championship games will be held in each division with winners advancing to the State Championship Game.  State championships have been added in other sports, including soccer and girls wrestling.

Under Ishida’s leadership, the CIF also negotiated a 15-year deal with Time Warner Cable to televise regional and state championship events in boys and girls sports.

“It will obviously be a tremendous loss,” said CIF Central Section commissioner Jim Crichlow about Ishida. “She did some amazing things in her 11-year tenure. It will be hard to replace her.”

When asked if he was interested in applying to replace Ishida as CIF executive director to become another local person in the position, Crichlow quickly and emphatically said, “no,” making it clear he had no interest in the position.