Moorpark AD Robert Dearborn elected Southern Section president

Dearborn will serve as president-elect for two years before taking over as president.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:31pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a high school sports competition, with sharp geometric planes in navy, green, and red representing the dynamic energy and multiple perspectives of the event.Dearborn's election as Southern Section president-elect signals a new era of leadership for high school sports in the region.Moorpark Today

Moorpark High School athletic director Rob Dearborn has been elected as the president-elect of the CIF Southern Section, the governing body for high school sports in Southern California. Dearborn will serve in the president-elect role for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years before assuming the presidency.

Why it matters

The CIF Southern Section oversees athletic programs and competitions for over 500 high schools across seven counties, making the president's role an influential one in shaping the future of high school sports in the region.

The details

Dearborn was elected to the position by the Southern Section Council on Thursday. He will serve under the current president, Alexis Barile, the former principal at Corona Centennial High School, before taking over the top role himself.

  • Dearborn was elected as president-elect on April 17, 2026.
  • He will serve as president-elect for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
  • Dearborn will then assume the role of Southern Section president starting in the 2028-29 school year.

The players

Rob Dearborn

The athletic director at Moorpark High School in California, Dearborn was elected as the president-elect of the CIF Southern Section, the governing body for high school sports in the region.

Alexis Barile

The former principal at Corona Centennial High School, Barile is the current president of the CIF Southern Section and will serve in that role until Dearborn takes over.

CIF Southern Section

The governing body for high school sports in Southern California, overseeing athletic programs and competitions for over 500 high schools across seven counties.

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What they’re saying

“I'm honored to be elected as the president-elect of the Southern Section and look forward to working with Alexis and the rest of the council to continue enhancing high school sports in our region.”

— Rob Dearborn, Athletic Director, Moorpark High School

What’s next

Dearborn will begin his term as president-elect on July 1, 2026 and will officially take over as Southern Section president on July 1, 2028.

The takeaway

Dearborn's election as Southern Section president-elect underscores his leadership and influence in the high school sports community, and his upcoming tenure will shape the future direction of athletics for hundreds of schools across Southern California.