Kristine Palle
CIF-Southern Section
Tim Cates talks with CIF-SS Assistant Commissioner Kristine Palle. After being a standout swimmer and water polo player, Kristine returned to Mission Viejo HS as a teacher and coach. She quickly elevated into a role as Athletic Director with the Diablos. For the past 16 years Kristine has been helping run high school sports at the CIF-SS office. Kristine has a Masters in Coaching and Athletics Administration from Concordia University Irvine and currently teaches classes in the program.
Teacher, Athletic Director, Swim and Water polo coach at Mission Viejo High School and now 16 years as an Assistant Commissioner at California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section (CIF SS) and Adjunct Professor with MCAA. Coach of the year honors and great success as a coach; led her to be in the CIF office.
*CIF-SS goals are to provide 100% of all student athletes to have a great experience in high school. Looking at only 2% of high school athletes go on to collegiate sports but CIF is here to make the best experience for the 98% as well.
*CIF SS is made up of 17 people who are working for student athletes everyday. Grow sports and connection between students, high school and communities.
*Spring Championships are in full effect; Adding Sand volleyball 2023 as a championship sport
*Job Duties as an Assistant Commissioner at CIF-SS
*Swimming and Waterpolo as a High School and participated as a Collegiate athlete. Post high school as a collegiate athlete, she decided to be a teacher and coach.
*Talks about her pathway to the road of education and Assist. Commissioner at CIF
*Difference in teaching Math in the classroom vs Coaching on the Pool Deck
*Educated in the coaching realm as she was coaching at Trabuco Hills as a first year coach
*Transition from Coaching to Athletic Director all in God’s Plan
*Discuss all the duties and details of the Female AD position at Mission Viejo
*Importance of being a Female Coach and responsibilities
*Jump from AD to Assist. Commissioner
*Changes over the 16 years at the CIF SS office
*CIF works for Students, School and Principals this has been the biggest evolution over the last 16 years
*Take care of the 98% of high school athletes who do not go on to college to play and make sure all of them have a great experience
*Principles make the rules of the CIF and Asst. Commissioners are to enforce and be consistent with them all across all the participants
*Development and plans of the CIF Commissioner
*Change or new Direction within your current position and future over the next 5-10 years
*Looking at adding Flag Football and growing to include Activities such as Speech and Debate and Drama
*Creating the access to involve more kids in the experiences within High School
*Involvement in the MCAA program: Advance Theories in Aquatics, also taught Women in Sport and Sport Law Course
*Advice to young coaches as an Athletic Director
Tags: Swim, MCAA Podcast, Teaching