History

Beginnings (Since 1949)

The Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation (SCMAF) owes its origins to softball, a sport that grew to such popularity in the Southland during "The Depression" that a formation of a Southern California Softball Association was necessary to create some semblance of order out of a chaotic confusion. At one of the meetings of the softball association, the membership decided to look at the total sports picture, hoping to bring unity to all sports conducted by recreation agencies.

SCMAF was formed in 1949 by a group of about three dozen men from various cities and agencies to answer the need for an established comprehensive organization to provide guidance and services to people and agencies in many facets of athletics. The founders recognized the need for an area-wide organization that could develop rules, train officials, and conduct tournaments for the Youth and Adults of Southern California. After concentrating on softball to start, the Federation also developed programs for basketball, tennis, touch football and baseball. Even in its infancy, SCMAF encompassed a very large geographic area, from San Diego to Ventura and Long Beach to Barstow; these various agencies came together to promote unity and uniformity, as well as sportsmanship, character, citizenship and fitness.

SCMAF's core founding members included SCMAF first president, Dudley Shuman, Burt Anderson, F.V. Whippo, Burt Elmer "Red" Moon, Ferdie Bahr, John Batchelor, Jim Bishop, Bernie Boomer, Sydney Kronenthal, Mike Mason, Gene Laumeister, Ralph Smith, and Rod Ballard.

SCMAF Founders Meeting - December 1, 1948

SCMAF Past Presidents - 60th Anniversay Luncheon

Legacy

The foundational elements that SCMAF's founding members instituted decades ago, are largely still in place today. Over time, SCMAF has maintained a cutting edge through various shifts in the youth and adult sports landscape. As a vehicle for support in areas such as insurance, training, programming, networking, and professional development, SCMAF remains a vanguard in municipal recreation sports programming. SCMAF's diverse membership provides recreation professionals in Southern California with a strong network of administrators, partnering organizations, vendors, local sports franchises, and more.

Today

As SCMAF entered a new century, the Federation continued to refine its 'brand' by taking advantage of new technologies to improve communications with members and participants, while doing more with less. In 2001, SCMAF's website made its first debut and began integrating social media, such as Twitter. The Federation also adopted the Mission statement: "SCMAF creates healthier communities through sports and physical activities" in order to define its role in the community. These initiatives were achieved through strategic planning, led by the presidents of the decade.

From the 70's to the present day, SCMAF has been able to provide excellent recreation programs to Southern California's youth and adults - continuing "Opportunity - Tradition - Legacy" into the next 60 years.

2009-2019 Highlights and Achievements

2009

President: Manuel Cantu, City of Santa Fe Springs
Motto: Opportunity – Tradition - Legacy
Signature Initiative: New SCMAF website launched
Highlights:

-SCMAF 60th Anniversary Luncheon in Cerritos

-Turf and Ballfield Workshop conducted at Angel Stadium

-Adaptive and special needs recreation training conducted in Cerritos

-Participation in the ABC’s of Safe Summer at City of La Mirada Splash!

-Bill Bant hired as Marketing/Communications Coordinator

10 year Cal South Soccer Sponsorship agreement- June 2009

2010

President: Daniel Schneider, City of Rancho Cucamonga
Motto: Let’s Make it Happen
Signature Initiative: Board Expansion/Reorganization
Highlights:

-End of year budget positive $66,000

-$15,000 Major League Softball Sponsorship agreement

-Turf and Ballfield Workshop conducted at Home Depot Center

-“Recreation Leader Day” training conducted in Cerritos

-Membership Appreciation Social introduced at Awards and Installation

2011

President: Carlos Espinosa, City of Cerritos
Motto: Global Vision. Local Commitment
Signature Initiative: Promotion of SCMAF University branding effort
Highlights:

-Volunteer award introduced at Awards and Installation

-Adult softball tournament partnership with Major League Softball

-SCMAF Social conducted at Long Beach Lobster Festival

-Turf and Ballfield Workshop conducted at Rose Bowl

2012

President: Dave Dill, Southern California Special Olympics
Motto: Honoring the Past. Leading the Future
Signature Initiative: Agency membership structure overhaul
Highlights:

-First revenue stream received from Cal South Sponsorship agreement

-Expanded SCMAF platform to include nontraditional and action sports

-Surveys conducted on the value of SCMAF to member agencies

2013

President: Kevin Ellis, City of Downey

Motto: Reaching Higher, Achieving Greater Heights

2014 & 2015

President: David De Leon, City of La Habra
Signature Initiative: Two-year SCMAF Presidential term established
Highlights:

SCMAF Social in Rancho Cucamonga
Youth sports facility use workshop
Initiated process to develop SCMAF Non Profit 501c3
Launched new SCMAF website

2016 & 2017

President: David Coleman, City of Artesia
Signature Initiative: Finalized SCMAF Non Profit 501c3 A Better Life Through Sports. IRS approved August 7, 2017
Highlights: