Fryer: Thoughts on the Orange Lutheran ineligible transfers …
April 21st, 2008, 1:22 pm · 10 Comments · posted by STEVE FRYER, ocvarsity.com
From what I know, this is not some heavy-duty recruiting violation. It is a technicality tucked into the very long, legalistic Rule 207, regarding transfer eligibility, in the CIF-Southern Section Blue Book. I am certain the CIF-SS office thoroughly made sure the rule was violated. But I compare it to a car or truck without license plates on the front of the vehicle. That’s a violation, sure, but it’s not like going 55 mph in a school zone at 8 a.m.
The Loftus boys are good guys, from a good family. They and Orange Lutheran still can prove to the CIF-SS office that their transfer was not done solely for athletic reasons, although that won’t be easy.
A strong point for them: the Loftus boys went to Salem Lutheran School from kindergarten through eighth grade, and Orange Lutheran, where so many of their K-8 friends are, thus is the best fit for them.
– Steve Fryer
April 21st, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Fryer to the rescue. Do you really think anyone will believe they transferred for any other reason than to play football at OLu? Get real. Too many players have suffered because of minor technicalities, or what you refer to as “driving without a license plate” which is a mild fix it ticket. Think about the LQ Girls basketball team, or the Troy Football Team. Changing their decision would show who really controls CIF.
April 21st, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Fryer you are niave. Had Mike made all his kicks last year, they would still be donning the Friar crest. Why even bother starting the year at Servite if that were the case? Ask Daddy Loftus how many different Pop Warner football leagues they played for? That’s what he does. He pouts and leaves. I’m pretty sure they didn’t leave Servite because they were attracted to the OLU online course availability.
April 21st, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Sure, degrees always vary all the time but a violation is a violation. Sadly, it appears that one of the boys — the junior — appears to have lost his senior season of football.
Is this a big deal? I’d say it far from being as minor as my friend Fryer suggests. This violation falls under key new rules on the books to combat the murky waters of transfers.
This one seems easy to call. Appeal? It doesn’t seem there is much of a case, really.
Another way to look at this: at least this issue comes out now rather then, say, a day or two after the Servite-OLu game or say, the day before the Pac-5 playoff seedings are to be released.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Thanks Dan, for not ‘posting under the influence”. Steve must be smokin’ something if he thinks there’s a chance CIF will lift the punishment.
April 21st, 2008 at 10:32 pm
For all the debate about private vs. public schools — many forget there are issues just like this — private vs. private — sometimes, the real problem isn’t the type of school but the type of people at the school.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
I’ve seens so many minor violations cost players and teams victories and whole seasons. It’s a shame that it has to continue to happen. We print these stories all the time, so it’s hard for people to say they are ignorant of the rules.
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Yes, the Loftus boys are good guys. Does this mean CIF should look the other way if there was a rules violation?
If OLu was the best fit, why did daddy decide to send both his boys to Servite and leave one of them there for 2 1/2 years before deciding that Olu was the place to be? Was it a coincidence that the transfer happened after the older boy had trouble getting the ball through the goalposts and wound up getting yanked toward the end of the season?
C’mon Fryer! Get real!
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Steve,
Orange Lutheran is renowned for blatently recruiting transfers from other schools. I know firsthand; my freshman son was coerced by an O Lu. coach to transfer to O Lutheran after a victory at a wrestling match this year. It is common knowledge but the CIF does nothing about it.
I look forward to the day when they are exposed and punished.
Your work as always is admired and appreciated.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I have known the family for years and Daddy made the decision and left Servite not considereing his kids at all. I don’t even follow football and have known about this rule for many years. Daddy is VERY smart, Michael is just his pawn of a son and he has to suffer because of his dad. Football was the only reason why they went to Servite in the first place. Not OLU, at the time they had nothing to offer his sons. Big screw up for him. His kids are nice kids it is just too bad their Dad did this to them. No exceptions should be considered, OLU has an arrogance that needs to be cut down a notch ALL AROUND, CIF needs to start looking in their direction more often and this is the best way to start.
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
this stuff goes on in softball, imagine football. i know people at marina high varsity softball, there girls there that use rental address, other peoples address just to play for better high school programs.
same with lakewood high softball, football must be alot worse.
the checking of grades has become a joke aslo. checking grades after softball season is over or football. why not have a 1.0 grade average. who cares about grades in sports..