Nocetti Assumes New Role After Roger Blake Retires at Conclusion of 2018-19 School Year
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. – After months of speculation by the high school sports media that he was going to be the choice for the job, the state's high school athletics' governing body made it official in the following Wednesday afternoon press release.
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Executive Committee has named Ron Nocetti, current Associate Executive Director of the CIF, as the Federation’s ninth Executive Director. Nocetti replaces retiring Executive Director Roger L. Bake and will begin his new position August 1.
“It is an honor to be selected as the new Executive Director and I am excited to continue serving side by side with the entire CIF family who works so relentlessly to provide opportunities for our students to participate in education-based athletics,” said Nocetti. “I also join the entire organization in thanking Roger for his 43 years of service to secondary education in California. He worked tirelessly on behalf of our member schools and their student-athletes and we wish him and his wife, Karen, the best in their retirement years.”
The CIF Executive Committee began the search for the new candidate in March after Blake announced his intent to retire at the end of the 2018-19 school year. Nocetti was recommended following the conclusion of the selection process and will be ratified at the June 2019 Executive Committee Meeting.
“Ron Nocetti’s dedication to education-based athletics in California is an example for all involved,” said CIF State President James Perry. “We are excited to work with Ron in continuing the CIF mission to engage the 1,606 CIF-member schools in an effort to provide positive opportunities for all our student-athletes.”
Blake adds, “There is not a more qualified person for this job than Ron Nocetti. He is well prepared and will do an outstanding job. I’m retiring from the CIF knowing that his leadership will only improve the experiences for the students and schools participating in education-based activities in California.”
Nocetti received his bachelor’s degree in economics, a master’s degree in sport management and a doctorate in educational leadership all from the University of San Francisco. He has been involved in education since 1991 as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator. In 2008 he was hired by the CIF State Office as the Director of Championship Events, promoted to Senior Director and became the Associate Executive Director in 2012.
To add to the press release we have to say that the response from several media members that have worked with Nocetti since he joined the CIF staff has been nothing but positive.
"Extremely deserving. Not only knowledgeable and accomplished, but in touch with the most important issues all around the state and stays in touch with the schools," said Prep2Prep Senior Editor and Heritage Athletic Director Nate Smith, who worked hands on with Nocetti at last month's California State Athletic Directors Association yearly conference in San Diego.
"Nocetti was the right choice," Tweeted Sacramento Bee Senior staff Writer/Columnist and California Prep Sports Media President Joe Davidson. "He’s highly regarded in the state - from athletes, coaches, administrators and more."
"The state CIF will be in great shape with Ron Nocetti as Executive Director," Tweeted Maxpreps Staff Writer, San Francisco Chronicle contributor and CPSM immediate past president Mitch Stephens.
Nocetti is a native San Franciscan that graduated from Sacred Heart Cathedral where he played basketball and baseball. After deciding to get into high school athletics he rose the ladder from coaching basketball at his alma mater, to Dean of Students and Assistant Principal for Student Services, before leaving to take the Athletic Director's job at Jesuit-Carmichael.
"When I left to take the Jesuit position a lot of people questioned my decision because they felt I was line for the principal's job," Nocetti said. "I didn't see it that way."
Instead, Nocetti now fulfills his vision of what he did see for himself.
On behalf of the Prep2Prep nation we want to wish Nocetti the best for the future for himself and high school sports in California.
