Southern Section could be facing another lawsuit

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Lawyers representing St. Bonaventure, Oaks Christian, Damien and St. Lucy’s are moving forward to challenge the CIF Southern Section in court, according to athletic officials at two of the high schools. A lawsuit is expected to be filed later this month.

The schools believe that there was a lack of due process and religious bias with the decision of the Southern Section to send them to the parochial area for releaguing.

St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian have been in the Northern Area for sports placement, allowing them to compete in the Marmonte League for football and the Tri-Valley Athletic Assn. for other sports. Damien and St. Lucy’s have been part of the Mt. SAC area.

All four schools have been moved to new leagues starting in 2014-15. If they succeed in court, there would have to be new meetings to decide where to place the schools within leagues.

Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod, in a final commissioner’s message for the school year, said last week that new CIF transfer rules had resulted in a ‘significant reduction in legal costs’ for the section and CIF.

But it seems likely that 2014-15 will start out with a significant court challenge.

-- Eric Sondheimer