The CIF provides equitable athletic competition for more than 1600 high schools in California. Since 1914, the CIF has grown to become the largest youth agency in the nation, serving more than 835,000 student-athletes who participate in the interscholastic athletic activities of California’s secondary schools. The CIF also is the service organization to its member-schools, providing awards, honor programs, and distributing information on up-to-date health and safety issues. The CIF is organized under the State Department of Education and is governed by the CIF federated Council. Ten semi-autonomous, geographical Sections make up the CIF.