Southern Section responds to Mater Dei suit
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Southern Section Commissioner Jim Staunton is ‘baffled’ at the decision by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange to file a civil suit against the organization on behalf of Santa Ana Mater Dei, charging that the organization is biased against the school.
“Mater Dei has been a long-standing member of CIF Southern Section and is clearly aware of our policies,” Staunton said in a statement released by his office. “If Mater Dei had concerns about eligibility decisions, they had several channels of communication to express those concerns. Why they did not exercise their options as members is baffling.”
Staunton added, ‘While the CIFSS never wishes to be involved in litigation with one of our member schools, we look forward to demonstrating the fair and equal application of our rules on behalf of all our membership.’
A CIF state appeals panel is scheduled to hear an appeal from Mater Dei linebacker Todd Hunt on Wednesday. Hunt was declared ineligible by Staunton after transferring from Connecticut.