2025 CIF State Cross Country Championships - November 29, at Woodward Park, Fresno

Credential Request Deadline:  Noon, Tuesday, November 25

Requests for credentials must be made in accordance with CIF policies through a legitimate newspaper, radio/TV station, magazine, website or other recognized news-gathering organization and by the sports editor/director. Only accredited professionals representing bona fide organizations will be considered.

CIF's definition of a bona fide media organization is as follows:

• Organization must have an established, longstanding history of coverage;
• Organization must have credibility as a news-gathering organization;
• Organization must have editorial oversight;
• Organization must create original content which can only be generated by being onsite at an event; and,
• Organization’s coverage must go beyond the distribution of in-game scoring updates.

Please note:

• Social media websites are not considered bona fide media organizations.
• Weblog-based (blog) websites are not considered bona fide media organizations.
• Organizations that are exclusively social media-based are not considered bona fide media organizations.
• Organizations that are scouting, ranking or recruiting services, college coaches, private clubs or specialty websites that are promotional services for an activity are not considered bona fide media organizations.

Below are the criteria that will be relied on to approve a request. Please be prepared to provide proof of any of the following items upon request.  Any request will not be approved until this information has been provided to CIF. 

Print Press:

1. Reporters – one bylined article published within the past 30 days, and a copy of the publication.
2. Photographers – original tear sheets or photos with credits of the issuing bona fide media organization within the past 30 days.

Online Press (including online radio/streaming broadcast organizations):

1. Website must belong to a recognized media organization with a specific, verifiable street address and telephone number.
2. Website must have at least 50% original news content, commentary, or analysis specific to CA high school sports and must be updated at least twice per week.
3. Websites should have been in continuous operation for at least six months.
4. Website must have your bylined article within the past 30 days that has been posted to the website.
5. Three months of web traffic data analytics may be requested.

Notice to all freelance staff: Information regarding the media outlet you are representing must be provided with your online request; otherwise, your request will not be approved.

ONLY ONE CREDENTIAL WILL BE ISSUED PER PERSON. For daily newspapers, a maximum of three (3) credentials, including photographers will be issued. Weekly newspapers may be issued a maximum of two (2) credentials (including photographer). For TV stations, a maximum of two (2) credentials will be issued. For radio a maximum of two (2) credential will be issued.  Internet sites may receive a maximum of two (2) credentials.

*Exceptions will be made for those media outlets located in the Championship host community.  Contact Rebecca Brutlag (rbrutlag@cifstate.org) at the CIF State Office with any special media requests.

*The submission of a completed media credential request form does not ensure approval for media credentials.  You will be notified after the deadline if your request is approved.