Torrance High Volleyball Coach Quits After Complaints of Abuse

Pete Field, whose disciplining of a player resulted in allegations of abusive behavior against him, has resigned after only a month as coach of the highly ranked Torrance High girls’ volleyball team.

Torrance played its first match under new Coach John Radcliffe on Thursday, beating West Torrance in a Pioneer League opener to run its record to 7-0. Radcliffe, the school’s activities director, said that Field and Athletic Director Jeff Phillips met Wednesday and agreed it would be best if Field stepped down.

“They mutually agreed that it was not going in the direction they wanted it to go,” Radcliffe said. “(Field) didn’t feel comfortable and some of the girls didn’t feel comfortable.”

Field could not be reached for comment.

Tiffany Fujimoto, a senior middle blocker, has rejoined the team after quitting because of a run-in with Field during a practice Sept. 14. Fujimoto said Field scolded her, grabbed her by the arm and ordered her to leave the gym when she tried to explain why she made a mistake during a passing drill.

Fujimoto said she was happy to return to the team and was not surprised by Field’s resignation. “I kind of suspected something was going to happen because the team was telling me how much they didn’t like (Field),” Fujimoto said. “It feels good to be back.”

Fujimoto’s parents, Audie and Shirleen, had complained to school officials about the treatment of their daughter by Field. The 5-foot-7 Fujimoto is also a basketball star.