Sports Briefs: Former area star fired for ‘inappropriate behavior’
Zaun canned for comments, actions
Former Major League Baseball player Gregg Zaun, one of St. Francis High’s most successful athletic alumni, was fired Thursday by Canadian media giant Rogers Media for “inappropriate behavior.”
Zaun served as a television analyst for Rogers Media’s sports network Sportsnet covering the Toronto Blue Jays since 2011.
“This week, we received complaints from multiple female employees at Sportsnet regarding inappropriate behavior by Gregg Zaun in the workplace,” read a statement from Rogers Media president Rick Brace. “After investigating the matter, we decided to terminate his contract, effective immediately.
“This type of behavior completely contradicts our standards and our core values. We believe in a professional workplace where all employees feel comfortable and respected. We are grateful to our employees who spoke with us and we will take every measure to protect their privacy.”
The 46-year-old Glendale native spent 16 seasons in the major leagues and won a World Series ring with the Florida Marlins in 1997.
Zaun graduated from St. Francis in 1989.
Tologs volleyball earns league nods
Three members of the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy volleyball team were recognized for their efforts on the Mission League awards list.
Junior Megan Lund picked up a league first-team nod, senior Maddie Pernecky was a second-team selection and senior Ellis DeJardin was tabbed a league honorable mention.
Following a 5-12 start, Flintridge Sacred Heart closed out the regular season with a 15-1 run to finish with 20 victories and advance to the postseason for the fifth straight season.
“There was an understanding that we’re FSHA volleyball and it doesn’t matter what the record says, we have to go out and be competitive,” Flintridge Sacred Heart coach Ernest Banaag said. “It didn’t matter if were 0-7 and 7-12, we were going to fight and the girls propelled themselves into the playoffs.”
One person who personified that grit was Lund, who switched from the defensive backrow to outside hitter. Lund led her squad with a team-high 384 kills, 225 digs and 49 aces.
“To be a first-team Mission League pick says a lot about her and what she’s done,” Banaag said. “Every defensive specialist has the hitter mentality and wants to hit. So, when I gave her the opportunity, she took it.”
As a libero, Pernecky led her team in digs (397) and aces (51).
As for DeJardin, the Yale-bound senior missed most of the season due to injuries but finished with 67 digs and 15 aces.
Christmas golf tournament set
The Senior Men’s Christmas Golf Tournament, hosted by Scholl Canyon Men’s Golf Club, will be held Dec. 16 at Scholl Canyon Golf Course, 3800 E. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale.
The cost is $35 per person. Check in at 6:30 a.m., followed by tee off at 7.
New golfers invited. Cans of food being accepted for local food bank.
For more information, email Lynn McGinnis at mcginnix@aol.com with a subject line titled “Golf.”