The Preps : Mater Dei Accepts Year of Probation

Mater Dei High School has agreed to accept a one-year probation recommended by the Southern Section’s Executive Committee for recruiting violations.

Father John Weling, Mater Dei principal, notified Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas on Wednesday that the school would accept the penalties announced Feb. 18 after a hearing in Buena Park.

In addition to the one-year probation, the committee asked that John Merino, assistant principal, be removed from administration of any interscholastic athletic activities and that Weling ensure that athletic highlight films are not distributed to prospective students or their parents.

Dennis Evans, principal at Corona del Mar High School, brought charges against Mater Dei after Danny O’Neil, a former student-athlete at Corona del Mar, transferred to Mater Dei.

“We are pleased that officials at Mater Dei High School have decided to accept the committee’s recommendations,” Thomas said. He said the probation will be subject to review after a report by Weling to the executive committee in February.

Weling was unavailable for comment.