Here's a stunner: Suppan is headed to Chaminade

Jeff Suppan has been a major-league pitcher for 16 years and is probably the best baseball player produced by Encino Crespi. He also has been a loyal Celt, contributing money and time to the Celts' program long after he graduated in 1993.

So it is a stunning public-relations blunder on the part of Crespi that his nephew, incoming freshman pitcher-shortstop Dylan Suppan, won't be arriving at Crespi to begin classes this week. Instead, he's expected to enroll at rival West Hills Chaminade.

Suppan had been working out with Crespi during the summer, then suddenly stopped. His father, Mike, is a Crespi teacher. Mike Suppan declined comment, but Crespi's administration apparently did away with allowing children of faculty to attend school for free, and Chaminade came forward with a better offer.

Suppan is highly regarded as a pitcher and hitter. "I saw him throw this summer, and he looked real good," Chaminade Coach Frank Mutz said.

Also at Chaminade is Chad Gubicza, the son of former Kansas City Royals pitcher Mark Gubicza, so the Eagles are going to have some big names to turn to.

The issue of a Suppan not going to Crespi is so sensitive that Celts Coach Scott Muckey said, "You'll have to talk to them about that."

The alumni might want to have a talk with the school administration. If a Suppan decides not to go to Crespi, something is wrong.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Comments

[Disgraced Celt]

We wish Dylan the best at Chaminade. Crespi treated his dad wrong and his dad made the best move for the family. The vast majority of Crespi parents and faculty are irate at Crespi with the administration. Jeff Suppan has seperated himself from his alma mater permanently. Doesn't that speak volumes?????

We wish Dick Dornan the best in his future. What a classy guy! He still keeps in touch with many faculty members and former alumni. What's that saying, "Once a Celt, Always a Celt"? How about "Once beloved, Always beloved".

Losing Dornan, Doyle, Lamarre, DeMartini, Sherwood, Miller, Tunney, Van de Bovenkamp, Simon and others is Crespi's loss and the world's gain!

[Press Box John]

Celt Alum - Dick Dornan was not terminated. He was out on paid leave until the investigation and the school year ended. After that his contract was not renewed for the following year. All teachers work on a one year contract. Also, please note that Dick was NEVER charged with anything. His character, as well as his professional career, were permanently ruined by a totally unfounded allegation levied against him.

[No News Here...]

Anton - Obviously you're not part (nor were you ever a part) of the Crespi community, otherwise you'd understand what I meant about Dick Dornan being a Crespi legend. You questioned his legacy based on the fact that he started his brother, won a "Mickey Mouse" CIF title (how many rings do YOU have?), and was released due to a serious charge? Did you know that he was never formally charged of anything because there wasn't enough evidence for a charge to even be made? Do you have any idea how much that man is loved and revered amongst Crespi alumni and faculty members? As for the "you don't know Jeff Suppan" line... oh really? What kind of rinky-dink assumption is that, Anton?

You must feel pretty proud of yourself providing absolutely no facts to support your claims. Also, name-calling is always a classy move in a debate.
Two final questions: A.) Why did you even bother wasting your time to post on this page knowing that you had absolutely NO CREDIBLE information to bring to the table? B.) Who's the clown now?

[Greg]

Why don't the Celts have a "home baseball field?" Have you seen the size of the piece of property Crespi sits on South of the Blvd in the really good part of Encino? There is just enough space for one large two-story classroom building, one arts building, a gym and a football field with a (now) legit track. Had the stupid Cardinals given the Carmelites the church next door to operate, then a baseball field would have been a possiblity.

[Pitcher's Dad]

Maybe Dylan Suppan is a left handed hitter? That would explain it. Chaminade's band-box versus LAVC's cavernous Pike Field. Why doesn't Crespi have it's own field?

[MSFB]

From what I heard the kid already has Football offers from BIG Named Schools: USC, UCLA and FLORIDA. Obviously he would not have to go anywhere for football. So it would appear that it is for academics. He already has it made with football in the HOOD!

[Jack Dowry]

Anton surely you must know that some of the comments are rhetorical. Why are you so bent out of shape over this article anyway. This is a typical high school incident that will pass away soon. You sound like someone who has not attended Crespi High School. Crespi is a great school with great teachers and students, despite the 2 priests in charge who have no idea what they are doing. Surely you must also know this.

[GH Parent]

As a Crespi alum and Suppan family friend, the Crespi administration made a HUGE mistake on not helping Mike with Dylan's tuition. Sure, Jeff could have stepped in, but he has done more than enough for the school both financially and as a superior role model for the students. You are letting not only a great baseball player, but even better kid, go to the competition. Chaminade athletics are on the rise and this will only snowball the effect of possibly losing more quality student athletes to them. Somebody in Encino please step up and do what is best for the whole athletic and academic program at Crespi...not just for football. Egg Egg

[Eric, what happened?]

Eric,

What happened to the great post called "Wake Up"? It was accurate, well-written and absolutely 100% true! Please re-post.

Thank you! - Celt Alumns

[CHAMINADE HOMER]

THEY FORGOT TO MENTION THAT STEVE YEAGER HAS TWO KIDS PLAYING BASEBALL AT CHAMIANDE ALSO.

[WG]

Crespi haters. Remember you were taught by your mamas to not judge. Every name listed in Volga are unemployed, live at home, have no companion and no success in their lives. Sondheimer, this is wat u want to create? It must be true, you were picked as a kid. So today u pic on education. Think about it. U just hurt the kids trying to get an education. Like u were hurt! Grow up! Oops, you did!

[anton]

Hey no nothing (news)
You have no idea what you are talking about. Dick Dornan a legend? He started his brother who had a whopping 1.3 points a game average. Yeah, I know, they won a mickey mouse CIF title beating up D-4 competition. And he was let go because of a very serious charge. Jeff Suppan has donated millions? Yeah, right. You have no idea who Suppan is. High school football coaches make six figures all over the country. Now go hang out with that legendary clown,dick doyle.

[Crazy Cal]

Hey.Hey. NO NEWS......State -of- the- art? Check out Crenshaw's multi-million dollar football stadium and then check out the sad excuse for a baseball diamond. One of the reasons they'll never get a long term baseball coach and Coach Garrett, he loves it that way. Ask him and he'll tell ya straight up! Check out the football sleds and soccer practices on the Cougar outfield every summer and fall. Last year, a media helicopter mistook the diamond for a parking lot and landed on it during school hours. Same deal as Crespi. Well, one consolation. At least it's one hell of a Football School. No chance they will be trading places, huh?

[Big Trouble in Little Encino]

Want a real story? See how long it takes for Crespi to find a reason to terminate Mike Suppan because of this incident.

And if this seems far-fetched to anyone reading this, clearly you're unfamiliar with the way the current administration works at Crespi Carmelite High School..

[No News Here...]

This story is nothing new. The Crespi of today is nothing like the Crespi of yesteryear.

Crespi has a recent history (almost a decade) of treating their teachers poorly. Ask any alumnus or current teacher at Crespi what I'm talking about, and they'll smile and remain silent because they are "at-will employees." Ask any Crespi teacher about the terminations of such Crespi legends as Dick Dornan, Joseph Schellendorfer, Craig Sherwood, Ian Miller, Linda Simon, Mary VandeBovenkamp, Sean Ryan, Andy Kramer... the list goes on and on. Incredible educators and incredible individuals who bled the brown and gold but were let go of due to a selfish, narrow-minded, sports-driven administration. As for Jeff Suppan, he donated millions to Crespi! He would pay for his nephew's tuition in a second, but why would Dylan even want to play for a school that wouldn't reward his father with one of the few benefits that Crespi teachers received? Talk about a slap in the face. My kid graduated during the David Doyle years when Celt Pride wasn't bussed in from Los Angeles, coaches coached out of passion and not for 6 figure contracts, and teachers were respected and offered contracts.

Actually I'm surprised this is even news. Crespi is a FOOTBALL SCHOOL. If there's any question about this, compare the salaries of Coach Muckey and Coach Mack... or compare Crespi's state-of-the-art football field to its non-existent baseball diamond.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the kid would rather go to a school with girls. Crespi is still all male and that could be hard.

[getreal]

Ms Weatherby-Did you ever hear of personal pride or fairness? Maybe he didn't want to ask his brother for help because he's his own person. In case you're not aware, teachers don't make alot of money-certainly not enough to afford 15k of tuition and related expenses. The least Crespi could do would be to help an underpaid employee's deserving kid attend the school (which I assume they did to some extent). Do you know Jeff Suppan well enough to make that ridiculous assessment? Financial aid applications don't ask what other family members earn in deciding on whether to offer scholarships based on need.

[Jack Dowry]

Libby, who are you? Jeff Suppan is a great Catholic/Christian person. No classy person would bring up something that has nothing to do with the story. You sound bitter. Your comment actually gives away who you are, and who you know. I'm sure Dylan's parents take care of their son. Maybe the other school was a better fit for their son. If you think you have inside information, think again.

[PB]

I like how Texas handles the public-private issue. If you go to a private school, you cannot play against the public school that you could be going to.

[john johnson]

chaminade is on the rise in all sports!

[Libby Weatherby]

What a disgrace for a baseball player who made $12 million this year and can't afford to pay for his nephew to go to school. I think something is very wrong with Jeff Suppan.

[Optimus Prime]

The kid qualifies for financial aid if his father is on a catholic school teacher's salary. Those teachers don't make much. One of the few perks SHOULD have been a tuition break. This is not only a problem with the athletics department, but also for employee morale. Crespi can't treat their own teachers like that. Chaminade is a way better education anyway. Clearly, a Crespi teacher knows that also. Nice move by this parent.

[Greg]

Jeff Suppan v. Rick Dempsey. That would be a close call. One a NLCS MVP and the other a World Series MVP. But a great battery that any other local high school (probably not named Long Beach Poly) would have a tough time matching.

[Eagleinflight]

All privates offer financial aid to kids that apply for it. Everyone knows that. Chaminade must have been offering more in financial aid than Crespi was. Believe me Crespi was offering aid also. Plus The kid probably likes girls.
A pitchers dad should know this!

[Little Jimmy]

Hey, everybody knows MLB kids get to go wherever they want. Come on. CIF? That's for Agoura's kids.

[Pitcher's Dad]

"Chaminade came forward with a better offer"? Really? High Schools "offering" money to students in an effort too entice them to play a sport at a particular school is against CIF rules, last time I looked. Surprising you should mention such a blatant violation here. I couldn't care less where this kid goes to school, but if Chaminade is making monetary offers in an effort to recruit kids....well there's an actual story you might want to write about.