Little progress reported in Mater Dei-CIF mediation

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

An attorney representing Santa Ana Mater Dei and the Roman Catholic diocese of Orange in its lawsuit against the CIF Southern Section said Saturday that there was little progress made during a mediation meeting Friday.

‘The parties met and conferred with [retired California Court of Appeal] Justice Edward Wallin for more than eight hours, with no real progress made,’ attorney Jerome Jackson said.

Thom Simmons, the Southern Section spokesman, said, ‘There was no resolution at this time.’

Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod participated in the talks.

A jury trial is likely to be delayed until next fall.

Mater Dei has been seeking clarification of a CIF rule that bars athletes from playing if they transfer for athletic reasons and gives authority to section commissioners to enforce the rule.

The rule could become the focal point of discussions around the state.

-- Eric Sondheimer