Why the system works for some, and not others ..
When you think of all the grief that Jordan and Jamie Canada went through trying to become eligible at South Hills, their family moving into the area only to be declared ineligible because of "athletically motivated," reasons, it stinks why others are allowed to transfer, even when on the surface it's obvious it's just another athletically motivated transfer. If a school has a grudge against a player, as was the case with Duarte's administration in regards to the Canada's, they can stop them by crying foul. If a school lets the kids do what their families wish, in Long Beach Poly's case, as with other cases like South Hills allowing Travis Santiago to go to Charter Oak without a fight, they can transfer without suspicion. The system isn't working, it isn't fair, read Bob Keisser's column in the Long Beach Press Telegram about Dylan Lagarde.
By Bob Keisser: In football, you know to watch the ball at all times, because no one has ever scored a point without catching it, running with it, kicking it or pursuing it. When it comes to quarterbacks in high school, however, you need to expand your field of vision beyond 100 yards. Perhaps to 100 miles, in some cases.
There is a local case in point causing spit takes around town and laments about the way parents, and the coaches who enable them, game the system by moving their athletically inclined sons and daughters from school to school on a whim.
There's nothing whimsical about it.
Dylan Lagarde went to Serra High School in Gardena as a freshman (ninth grader). He then transferred to Long Beach Poly, able to do so thanks to state rules that allow freshmen to transfer without compunction.
Lagarde won Poly's starting quarterback job not so much on merit as senior Chris Leachman's missing preseason work with a bad case of mononucleosis. Lagarde was 1-3 in three starts on a rare Poly team in rebuilding mode, completing 41 percent of his passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Raul Lara replaced Lagarde with Leachman in the third loss, to Oceanside. And Lagarde promptly quit and immediately transferred to Los Alamitos. Lara said Friday that Leachman was always the intended starter for 2009 but his mono set him back.
Not the end of the story. Lagarde's family requested a meeting to discuss his immediate
eligibility, and Los Alamitos cleared him. It was it's decision to make, despite the understandable belief among some that the CIF-Southern Section office has a voice in the matter.
"Lagarde had a valid change of address," Thom Simmons, the CIF-SS media director, said. "We received paperwork from the school indicating that the `family unit' (Lagarde and his father) lived in the Poly district and then moved to the mother's home, which is in the Los Alamitos district.
"It is up to Los Alamitos to verify the validity of the address. It is up to Poly to file a protest if it feels the transfer was athletically motivated. Poly didn't."
Well, of course not, because Poly routinely takes in transfers from other schools and it isn't about to get in a snit over a kid - or his parents - who decided he didn't want to be a Jackrabbit anymore.
"It was his right to transfer, and we don't hold anyone back who wants to go to another school," Lara said.
Lagarde joined the Griffins' junior varsity, playing two games. Last Thursday, he replaced senior Dylan Cook as Los Al's starting quarterback and threw for 195 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns in an easy Sunset League win.
Cook, who completed 59 percent of his passes this season for 505 yards and helped Los Alamitos to a 5-1 record, quit the Griffins when John Barnes promoted Lagarde to the starting job.
Makes you want to take a shower, doesn't it?
A source at Poly, talking on background, said that Lagarde's family was bothered in part by the constant sniping and spreading of blame among Poly's fans and family over their 1-3 start. If the Poly crowd at games was a movie, it would be R-rated.
A CIF source, also on background, said the CIF-SS believed Lagarde would be ruled an athletically motivated transfer and ineligible, but Los Al came with the proper paperwork and Poly didn't object.
The CIF-SS office shouldn't be blamed here. It has no enforcement officer; the entire staff numbers about 15 to cover 576 schools in the section. The CIF-SS is a member organization and it relies on the members to do the right thing.
Most don't. There's a certain honor among thieves not to protest when a kid moves on, and some schools - like the parochial private schools - have become adept at making sure parents of prospective parents have their paperwork in line to say why their child will benefit academically from the change.
A few do. Jake Thompson is a fine Long Beach State pitcher who played at Mayfair as a sophomore then transferred to Wilson. Mayfair claimed it was athletically motivated, contested the transfer, and Thompson had to sit out his junior season. He then decided to accelerate his high school degree and skip his senior season so he could become a Dirtbag.
Attempts to reach the Lagarde family were unsuccessful. But there's little reason to expect anything but the standard response - that they want the best for their child and their son is hardly the first to transfer with athletic opportunities foremost in his mind. Amen to that. If I had $1 for each California high school athlete who transferred, I could bail out the state in its budget crisis.
It's just hard to imagine what was wrong at Serra, which has a powerhouse program, or Poly, because you know the Jackrabbits' rough 2009 season is an aberration and they'll bounce back.
Another CIF source, speaking on background, noted that the party most at blame here is the state. Imagine that, Sacramento bungling something.
There was a move a few years ago to tighten up transfer rules in the wake of some obvious recruiting (i.e., theft) of athletes by powerhouse schools. But the state instead supported the freshman rule (they can transfer for whatever reason) and backed off any tougher restrictions because they feared litigation and the inherent legal costs.
"Call your state legislator if you have a problem," the source said. "They're the ones who could end this issue once and for all."
Until they do, expect parents to call coaches to see if there's room for their son who just lost his starting job or doesn't like his coach.
And follow the bouncing quarterback.
23 Comments
Leave a comment
Links
Tribune Prep Sports
Miguel Melendez's prep blog
ESPN
OC Varsity
San Bernardino Sun Preps
LA times Varsity Blog
Daily Bulletin Preps
Whittier Daily News Preps
LA Daily News Preps
Long Beach Press Telegram Preps
Daily Breeze Preps
Dyestat Track and Cross Country
MaxPreps
Rivals.Com
College Level Athletes
Miguel Melendez's prep blog
ESPN
OC Varsity
San Bernardino Sun Preps
LA times Varsity Blog
Daily Bulletin Preps
Whittier Daily News Preps
LA Daily News Preps
Long Beach Press Telegram Preps
Daily Breeze Preps
Dyestat Track and Cross Country
MaxPreps
Rivals.Com
College Level Athletes
Hey Coach's corner...still can't see the forest for the trees, can we? Focus on the issue for a moment which is not whether some schools get or lose kids to transfers but, instead, is the UNIFORM application of the rules by the CIF. Do you honestly believe that Lagarde's transfer wasn't athletically motivated? At the minimum, there was prima facie evidence of same so the CIF should have investigated? Instead, they turned a blind eye...which anyway you cut it is the CIF ignoring their own rules....selective enforcement makes the CIF a joke.
COCharger Fan,
Funny you should be the one trying to defend the actions of the Canada's. Since many of your stars llive outside your district boundries. HMMM....Throapy, and Golden, former Monrovia Wildcats...Come On Man...Who are you Kidding ? If it weren't for transfers from other districts you guys would be very average at best. Godd luck with that arguement ...
This story is in the paper today. Various school districts feel that "good students" are getting poached. I wonder if they can stop the transfers by lobbing darts such as the "athletically motivated" accusation. I wonder if non-athletes will be vulnerable to the same type of harassment. For instance, what if a losing school made claims that transfers were "socially motivated" rather than academically motivated...
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_13691932
Some of you can't see the forest for the trees...the Canada’s like Lagarde had a valid change of address but the difference is that the CIF ruled that the Canada’s transfer was “athletically motivated” ONLY BECAUSE Duarte protested but the issue of why Lagarde transferred was never even broached by the CIF because Poly didn't protest. One would have to be a total imbecile to not see that Lagarde's transfer was entirely athletically motivated so the CIF didn’t apply the same rules to both transfers and that’s what makes the CIF’s office and their so-called “rules” a total joke.
The Duarte staff could have just done what Poly did with the Lagarde kid and let them leave but they chose to be vindictive…it is what it is so don’t try to point a finger at anyone else.
The bad news for Duarte is that the negative press of their vindictiveness will affect their program for years and years…which is good news for the Monrovia Wildcats and perhaps even CO.
I can't believe some of you are still blaming Duarte's administration, oh, but I guess you are the people who also blame teachers for failing your kid and you blame other people for your short comings instead of taking responsibility. The administartion isn't to blame for the ineligibility of the Canada brother. If you want to blame the administarton for anything point the finger at them for following the CIF blue book and for standing up for the kids who were left from the Crutchfield after lash. Good for Duarte to stand their ground and follow some rules, we all know their ex-coach didn't. Start by pointing the finger at parents who think there is greener grass else where. Sure maybe true, but following the rules of CIF before you jump the fence to the other side. The Duarte administration is following rules not making them up and not acting like scorned lovers (come on SGV for 30 yrs). Also, for those of you who don't know this, there were 7 transfers, not just the Canada brothers and each one was questioned it was nothing against the Canadas or SH. If you are talking about this specific issue, then look at the mother if you are pointing blame. She opened her mouth to the press and had no idea how she was putting her kids out there to be questioned. Don't blame CIF and don't blame Duarte, blame the parents who don't teach morals to their kids about showing loyalty and integrity. Take responsibility people for your own actions and know that lies come back and bite you in the ass, or I guess you can say scholarship.
FRED YOU SURE DO SIT ON YOUR ASS...
JUST CHECKED MAXPREPS FOR DUARTE'S FOOTBALL TEAM
18 VARSITY PLAYER...EIGHTEEN!!!!
16 SENIORS...SIXTEEN!!!!!
2 JUNIORS...TWO!!!!!
WTH IS GOING ON OUT THERE?....AND WHERE'S "THAT" STORY?????
18 PLAYERS....11 ON THE FIELD...HOW MANY ARE PLAYING HURT? TIRED? OUT OF POSITION?
SHAME ON EVERYONE CONCERNED....WHAT A COMPLETE EMBARRASSMENT FOR EVERYONE WHO PLAYED A PART IN THIS DISGUSTING AFFAIR
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD...WHAT IS SANDERS GOING TO DO NEXT YEAR?
Fred, Steve or Miguel why not sick a microphone in the faces of the players who stayed at Duarte? Isn't that a story worth telling? What is Duarte now...07..or 0-8?
Maybe we can all learn something from "these" young men who decide to stay and finish what they started as freshmen.
Everyone always wants the same thing..."attention". Amat goes 8-0 and bloggers complain about equal coverage...really? Everyone says put up a list of the best in whatever and people have a pissy fit yet at the same time talk about the "team" and the lack of being an "individual".
So Fred, Miguel and Steve...we've heard form the mother, the school, actually "both" schools, bloggers, even Coach Sanders...but what about the kids "NOW"...who think about them? A once proud program reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye. Congrat to Coach Sanders for taking the job and to the young men who decided to fight the good fight...years from now no one will remember those who quit and ran away but you guys will always have the respect of players everywhere who would stayed...to the players that left, btched and pouted..shame on you~ "you got played!"
When I read comments, like some on this Blog, it makes me laugh with irony. Those of you who continue to bash Duarte High School and the CIF-SS for what you think is undeserved punishment to the Canada's are laughable at best. And it is a direct reflection of what is wrong with our society, A LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY !!!! All of you who think that the kids should be allowed to go where the please because the coach sucks or they lost their starting job, etc. or dead wrong.Playing athletics is a privilege not a right. If you want to find fault look at the parents. Their the one's who have failed the kids. They have to teach a valuable life lesson that you don't always get what you want, and cheating the system is wrong. They have failed these kids future's. Because someday, they will have to grow up, and when that day comes life won't be kind. Then what ? Then they become a burdon on the rest of us who work hard everyday. Parent's teach your kids to be accountable. Because life will !!!!!
Like I said, change of residency wasn’t the reason that CIF denied eligibility because Gonzalez never even raised this issue, instead, they denied his petition for Hardship. So, one can’t compare the Poly/Los Alamitos kid to WG because they sought eligibility for completely different reasons.
If WG had moved anywhere outside of Glendora, he could have gone to any private school including Amat under Rule 206(B)(3) which specifically uses “public high school” wording…it says “School Choice Following a Valid Change of Residence: A student, whose parent(s)/guardian(s)/caregiver and sibling(s) with whom the student was living when the student established residential eligibility at the prior school move from a residence in public high school attendance area “A” to a residence in public high school attendance area “B,” has a choice among continued attendance at the previous school, attendance at School “B,” or attendance at a private school. The student is eligible if the student remains in School “A,” or if the student enrolls and attends class immediately or no later than the beginning of the next school year in School “B” or a private school.
COCharger Fan:
Tech support is right, Gonzales had to file a hardship for CIF to rule upon because he did not have a legitimate change of address. For private schools attendance area is determined by whatever public school you would be enrolled at.
For example, let's say a Damien student lives within the attendance area of Bonita. That student would have to move outside of Bonita's attendance area and could then file a legitimate change pf address to attend any private school they like.
Interestingly, the student could not transfer to Bonita without filing a hardship even though they live in that attendance area.
In Gonzales' case he would have to move from whatever public attendance area he currently resides (whether Glendora's or not) to qualify for a legitimate change of address to attend Bishop Amat.
The Canadas move was most definitely athletically motivated. All you need to do is read what the mother was saying, that if Coach Crutch goes so go her sons. If that is not athletically motivated what is? Remember these young people are STUDENT athletes. I believe teaching them that circumventing the rules will have consequenses is a valuable life lesson. The education is the important issue not athletics.
Even with private schools the "change of address" rule is still in effect.
Prep fan, Amat is a private school so, unlike public schools, they do not have any enrollment boundaries (“attendance area”), thus, change of address for WG wasn’t the issue. My understanding is that WG sought eligibility under the hardship rules, which CIF denied.
As to suing the CIF, unfortunately, the courts have given them pretty broad powers to regulate and as a quasi-governmental regulatory body they are pretty much exempt from regular civil judgments (an exception would be fraud)…if you prevail, all you can get is your attorney fees paid. Legislation is the only answer, in fact, the recent rule changes dealing with eligibility of court appointed guardians came about because legislation was pending to change this rule (because of a lame CIF ruling) and perhaps regulate CIF’s authority. Smartly, the CIF agreed to change the rule to appease the lawmakers.
The CIF’s decision with the Canada kids defies logic and more so a sense of fair dealing (ironically, this is part of the CIF’s mantra). The CIF is comprised of the same folks that make the decisions on teaching our kids…wonder why the educational system is failing so many???
All of these stupid rules that the CIF has about transfers should finally be delt with in a crushing way.
In fact, I just wish someone with deep pockets would finaly take these morons on and settle this stuipd policy once and for all.
Sue them, get the judgement, and we dont have this discussion any more.
And BTW, your absolutly correct Don, kids aren't cattle and they most certainly do not belong to the school districs that they live in.
This is America where people have a right to further thier oportunites, not some backward azz country, but it seems like that almost every day.
Gonzales did not have a legitimate change of address so CIF did not need Glendora to protest the move in order to rule as they did against Gonzales. The Poly kid moved and Poly didn't object, they are different situations.
Fred you can't draw parallels here with the Canadas as they moved before this Academic year. Although it is quite a rotten smelling tomato. But you can draw a parallel with the Wallace Gonzalez case as with both players they had already started a game for their first school and then transfered mid-season. So the question is why is CIF not treating their decisions like it should as precedents. Also how could this not be an Athletically motivated transfer, it screams of such. All of the kids that have been denied eligibility definitely got screwed and it should be taken to court.
I think it's B#$$%^&t that the CIF would believe so much garbage regarding a athletically motivated transfer! Duarte if you're going to hate and ruin a young mans senior year of playing ball, just because he wasn't going to play for a sorry ass team anymore is outrageous! Hey I thought we were in this for the kids not for our own selfish gain...I hope you get convicted enough because of your own selfish reasons and send a letter to the CIF asking to retract your previous statement giving him a chance. It sounds like the administrators from Duarte are just as competitive as if they were involved in sports as well. Believe me even if this young man would of stayed with your program...you wouldn't of done any better than your doing at this time...Grow Up... and get back to basics...you're suppose to be in it to teach children and allow them to mature and do something with there lives...not rob them of the opportunity and the blessing because you feel like you been robbed! Make some changes from within...like within the administration and maybe your school and atheletic program will improve. Stop Hating!
After what i saw at Walnut baseball team last year. I put my son at ----- school because Walnut coach suck. The ? is. Is CIF hurting these kids by making them play for a team with coaches that can't coach, or the team suck. So the sports writer don't cover the team as much as they would a BA, SH, or a CO team
Since when is seeking enforcement of well established rules equal to holding a grudge?
Stop being such a crotch sniffer Fred. They broke the rules and got caught. Now they pay the price. End of story.
Frankly I'm more disappointed in Poly not challenging this move than Duarte challenging the Canadas.
I read Keisser's piece Sunday and agree with some of it.
For sure kids should be allowed to attend any school that will have them for any reason their family might have. Over the years, I've seen boys and girls move from campus to campus not only because of sports but to hook up with a music or dance program, even a certain AP Calc teacher once. Where was the outrage there?
Some parent's reasoning is wacky, (off the bat, the Grigsby's come to recent mind), and I'd be hard pressed to move a kid, especially after a couple years, but that's not to say the parents were wrong. Kids aren't cattle. They don't belong to a district and to discriminate against a certain class of them, in this case athletes, is just wrong.
I also take some exception to Mr. Keisser's characterization of the “parochial private schools” being more adept at working the system. Honor among thieves indeed; Mr. Keisser has clearly never met Judi North, has forgotten nearby Artesia High School antics with basketball players, and doesn't read his brother paper's coverage of Taft.
So these schools are breaking...or circumventing the rules? And how that applies to the Duarte situation? Not seeing the connection.
Only knowing what I know through this blog....it appears that a coach and some players...parents...were threatening the football program if certain demands were not met. I don't think we were talkin about opportunities in the Duarte case...we were talking about trying to manipulate a program with threats of mass exodus. I have to believe that if Santiago were threatening to take the whole football team with him....say if his mom couldn't coach, South Hills would have a different stance.
If that is truly what happened at Duarte, then the rule served it's purpose.
This just goes to show how rotten the people at Duarte are, robbing a senior football player of one of the most memorable years a person can have in their lives. You should be ashamed of yourself Duarte, how can you look at yourself in the mirror. What you have done to this family is a crime, not a legal crime, but a crime of jealousy, revenge, and for what, you're supposed to be the adults, supposed to do what's in the best interest of kids, not what's in your own best interest. Shame on you, shame on you, shame on. And I agree, CIF should do something about this, allowing schools to police themselves does nothing but leave the ruling bodies in the same hands of people who vote along party lines when it comes to releaguing, etc. What a horrible system this is, no due process, just a bunch of back-stabbing jealous adults who can stick it to kids whenever they want.