THE EXCEPTION : Kennedy, Playing Under Different Rules, Retains Its Controversial Athletic Period

Don Wise, principal at Pacifica High School, knew it was time for a change.

Pacifica, which is located near the center of a rapidly growing business district in west Garden Grove, had declined in enrollment by nearly 900 students, and it changed from a four-year to a three-year school.

The Mariners’ athletic programs were no longer winning in the Empire League against perennial powers such as Los Alamitos, Esperanza and El Dorado. Transportation costs were skyrocketing.

“We had to get out of the Empire League,” Wise said. “We were no longer competitive, and the costs were rising every year.”

Pacifica, a member of the Garden Grove Unified School District, was originally a member of the Garden Grove League, but it moved into the stronger Empire League eight years ago.

Wise wanted to move back into the Garden Grove League, but there was a hitch. First, he needed unanimous approval from members of both leagues. Second, neither the eight-team Empire League nor the six-team Garden Grove League could be left as an odd-numbered league once a move was made.

Wise needed a second school from the Empire League to join his school in the Garden Grove League. Several schools had expressed an interest in leaving the league.

“I started comparing sizes, strength of programs and projected enrollments for several schools,” he said. “Kennedy seemed to fit perfectly.”

Well, almost. Kennedy had one distinct advantage over the seven members of the Garden Grove League. Kennedy, a member of the Anaheim Union High School District, has an athletic period that allows its athletes to train with their coaches for one hour during the off-season.

Wise said that when the move came to a vote, there was concern among coaches and principals about Kennedy’s athletic period.

“But the issue didn’t override the decision,” Wise said. “Contrary to what anyone says, we made it clear that Kennedy would be allowed to retain its athletic period.

“We knew Kennedy would dominate for some time. But regardless of who we brought in, they would have different rules regarding the athletic period. We made it plain and clear that the athletic period was a district rule, not a league rule.”

But Tony Lipold, former basketball coach at Bolsa Grande, felt deceived.

“I asked several times and was told Kennedy would have to comply with our district rules,” Lipold said. “They have a big advantage and will have a big advantage for years to come. It’s not a fair situation.”

Jim Perry, athletic director and basketball coach at La Quinta, was in attendance when the issue went to vote. He said the athletic period was debated heatedly among coaches, but the principals voted unanimously to accept Kennedy.

“When questioned whether Kennedy would be following our rules, their coaches immediately answered that they followed district rules,” Perry said. “That wasn’t the way I understood it, but it was too late.

“With the exception of football, our worst fears were realized. Kennedy dominated this year and will continue to dominate for some time.”