Football: Linebackers try to get eligible at St. Bernard

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Cousins Osaiasi Lauaki and Sia’anga Moala, both senior linebackers, have been denied hardship waivers by the Southern Section after transferring from St. Monica to St. Bernard and are seeking an expedited appeal before a CIF appeals panel. They are ineligible to play football.

Robert Glassman, an attorney who has agreed to represent the cousins, said in an email that the earliest hearing available is late October, which is only a few weeks from the conclusion of the regular season in football.

According to Glassman, the families’ decision to attend St. Bernard was based on ‘financial hardship, geographic convenience and the fact that St. Bernard has ESL support for Tongan-speaking students.’

Complicating the move was the fact that St. Bernard’s new coach, Larry Muno, previously coached at St. Monica. And most interesting, according to Glassman, both ‘received scholarships’ while living in Inglewood and paid no tuition at St. Monica last school year.

To me, this is another messy sports transfer situation that has become way too common. It’s a question of whom to believe and whether families can prove financial hardship.

-- Eric Sondheimer