Point Loma’s Trepanier Cleared of Rules Violations

Lee Trepanier, Point Loma High School girls’ basketball coach, did not violate San Diego Section rules when he visited All-American Terri Mann at her home before her enrollment at the high school nearly four years ago, Section Commissioner Kendall Webb announced Tuesday.

Webb based his decision on an investigation by the San Diego Unified School District, which examined the nature of Trepanier’s visits. The investigation also indicated that Trepanier was within rules when he purchased state championship rings for his players last season. A gift of more than $100 to individual players of championship teams is illegal. Point Loma has won the girls’ basketball state title the past three seasons and is favored in the section playoffs this season.

Trepanier could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

“My conclusion is that there was no documented evidence presented to the commissioner’s office that would indicate any violation of CIF or San Diego Section rules by Coach Trepanier,” Webb said. “We consider the matter closed.”

Webb requested the investigation Feb. 5 after a story in The Times indicated that Trepanier may have violated section rules by visiting the star forward, who lived outside the Point Loma High area, just after she completed eighth grade.

Webb asked that only two points be investigated by the district: Trepanier’s visit to the Mann home and the cost of the championship rings. Al Cook and Cathy Hopper, district assistant superintendents, conducted the investigation.

In a handwritten statement, Willie Mann, Terri’s mother, said Trepanier had not recruited her daughter and that Terri, a 6-foot 2-inch forward, decided on her own to attend Point Loma.

In a written statement, Trepanier said that he had visited the Mann home twice, but never discussed Pt. Loma girls’ basketball. Mann had injured her ankle during a summer league basketball game and Trepanier gave her a ride home, the statement said. The second visit was to inquire about the injury, the statement said.