Crespi Upset Over Releaguing Plan

A planned high school league that would reunite Crespi and Notre Dame is closer to reality after the Southern Section releaguing committee’s approval of a sweeping proposal by the Catholic Athletic Assn.

In addition, a recommendation to keep the Foothill League intact also earned committee approval at a hearing Tuesday. Both proposals, which would take effect for the two-year releaguing cycle beginning next fall, were forwarded to the Southern Section Council, which meets Jan. 18.

Parochial schools on Oct. 23 approved a plan to break up the Del Rey League, realign the San Fernando Valley League and group Crespi and Notre Dame with Alemany, Chaminade, Bishop Montgomery, St. Bernard and St. Paul in a new Mission League. Notre Dame left the Del Rey League and ended its rivalry with Crespi when the San Fernando Valley League was formed last year.

Although Alemany, Chaminade and Notre Dame endorsed the new league, Crespi lamented the dissolution of the Del Rey and voiced support for an appeal by Loyola on Tuesday.

Loyola, a Del Rey member, objected to its proposed inclusion in the newly aligned Angelus League, but the committee rejected its protest. Loyola vowed to appeal again at the council meeting next month. The council rarely ratifies appeals, according to Southern Section administrator Dean Crowley.

“I’m really disappointed because Loyola belongs in our league,” Crespi Athletic Director Paul Muff said. “It’s more logical for them to be with us than St. Paul. We want our association with Loyola to continue.”

Under the CAA proposal, the San Fernando Valley League would retain Bell-Jeff, St. Genevieve and Harvard and add El Segundo, La Salle, Louisville, Flintridge Prep and St. Francis, an all-boys school.

The Foothill Area plan, which was approved by area members Oct. 4, would keep Hart, Burbank and Burroughs aligned with Alhambra, San Gabriel and Schurr for at least two more seasons. Also remaining intact would be the Golden and Pacific leagues.

The releaguing committee also approved an alternate plan for the Foothill Area if the status quo proposal fails--an unlikely event, according to Crowley.

The alternate plan would disband the Foothill League and place Hart, Burbank and Burroughs in a newly aligned Pacific League with Crescenta Valley, Glendale, Hoover, Muir and Pasadena.