By STEVE FRYER
OCVarsity.com

Connor and Michael Loftus, brothers who transferred from Servite to Orange Lutheran earlier this year, have been ruled athletically ineligible by the CIF-Southern Section.

CIF-SS spokesman Thom Simmons said the Loftuses are ineligible because during their transfer, a violation of CIF-SS rule 207 section 5, which is titled “Pre-Enrollment Communication or Conduct,” occurred. 

Simmons said the section office found prima facie that the transfer was made for athletic reasons, a violation of rule 207. Part d. of rule 207, section 5 states that if there is sufficient evidence that a student-athlete transferred from school A to school B to be with a coach who had moved from school A to school B, then the move would be interpreted as being made for athletic reasons. Two former Servite assistant coaches, Greg and Joe Cicero, joined the Orange Lutheran coaching staff before the 2007 season.

Michael Loftus, a junior, played safety and was Servite’s kicker and punter for most of the ’07 season. Connor played quarterback, cornerback, kicker and punter on the Servite freshman team in 2007.

According to part d. of rule 207, section 5, the student-athletes are athletically ineligible for one year from the date they enroll in the new school. According to the CIF-SS Web site, the Loftuses are ineligible until Jan. 28, 2009. The Loftuses can appeal the CIF-SS ruling.

Orange Lutheran football coach Jim Kunau said Lutheran did not commit a violation, but deferred further comment to Orange Lutheran principal Gregg Pinick, who also declined comment.

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