CIF Rules ‘Recruited’ Athletes Not Eligible at Christian

Christian High School has been placed on a one-year probation for recruiting violations involving several of the county’s top basketball players.

The probation handed down by Kendall Webb, CIF commissioner of the San Diego Section, does not affect the private school’s ability to compete but only rules ineligible to play for Christian any student the school has “solicited directly or by contact of his parents,” according to a press release from Webb’s office.

The ruling came after an investigation by Webb into complaints from coaches and parents concerning a May 15 dinner attended by Ed Giles, Christian High principal; Gary Jenkins, a school booster, and six top basketball prospects, notably Valhalla’s Tony Clark, who led the section in scoring last year with a 29.5-point average.

Others in attendance were Monte Vista center Joe McNaull, Crawford guard Tracy Halton, Southwest center Adalberto Silva and University City forward-centers Ray Hooper and Greg Ballard. All will be seniors next season except Hooper and Ballard, who will be juniors.

That the dinner took place was the basis of Webb’s decision.

“I found that there was recruiting activity and attempts to influence students to attend Christian High,” Webb said from Florida, where he is attending the National Federation Conference. “Considering that any student who was present or represented at the meeting would be ineligible if he transfered seems to be appropriate action at this time. It also places Christian High School on alert to evaluate the activity of people operating on their behalf.”

After the dinner and before Webb’s ruling, only Clark had announced an intention to transfer to Christian. Clark could not be reached for comment.

Giles, who was exonerated by Webb, said he went to the meeting under the impression that several parents interested in having their children transfer to Christian made arrangements for the dinner.

“I do PR for our private school,” Giles said of the meeting. “I walked into it thinking the parents had made first contact.”

But Giles said he later learned that Jenkins, who serves on a committee that aids students coming to Christian, had been talking to the parents.

Giles said Jenkins came into contact with the parents through Art Clark, Tony’s father, who is the coach of the San Diego Slam-N-Jam basketball team that included the players invited to the dinner. Jenkins and Clark coach Little League baseball together.