MISSION VIEJO : Drive Is On to Name Stadium After Coach

Parents and students at Mission Viejo High School are calling on trustees of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District to name the campus stadium in honor of deceased former football coach and teacher Mike Rush.

Rush died of a heart attack in November at age 46. Eight months earlier, he resigned his coaching position amid controversy over the school’s devil mascot and reports of conflict between him and Principal Robert Metz.

In five seasons, Rush’s teams compiled a 45-16 record. He had also been an assistant football coach at the school for 10 years. After stepping down as head coach, Rush continued teaching at Mission Viejo and was hired as an assistant football coach at Rancho Santiago College in Santa Ana.

“Mike Rush was a hero in this community; he touched thousands of lives,” said Sandie Gonzales, one of the parents spearheading the stadium drive.

“Mike stood for integrity, honesty, moral values, all the things that are so important to young people. What better way to pass Mike’s values along to the community and keep his values alive than to put his name on that stadium?”

Rush’s departure from the district came amid controversy over the school’s logo.

Rush had sided with players and students who rebelled against a ban on the school’s devil logo, put in place in 1986 as a result of concerns from the Christian community. Rush’s position caused tensions between him and school officials, but no one was ever willing to discuss publicly the reasons for his resignation as football coach.

Before Rush’s death, Gonzales and other parents petitioned the district’s Board of Education for his reinstatement. They also filed a lawsuit against the district last year, claiming it infringed on their children’s free-speech rights by forbidding them to wear in school the devil icon, representing the school’s Diablos nickname. Diablo is Spanish for devil.

The district later rescinded the ban and last September held an election in which students voted to adopt a baby-faced devil as the new mascot, replacing a bulldog. However, the new logo is in limbo because it may look too much like a trademarked comic-book character.

Last week, about 60 people--including parents, students, Rush’s widow and a Capistrano Valley High School football coach whose players competed against Rush’s teams--attended a trustees meeting to ask that the field on the Mission Viejo High campus be named Mike Rush Memorial Stadium. The field does not have a name.

About a third of those in attendance delivered occasionally emotional speeches testifying to Rush’s charisma, caring, interest in students and motivational abilities. They also presented the board with a petition with 1,500 signatures from students and community members.

“Mike was never one to brag about himself or carry on about his accomplishments,” said Pam Rush, his widow. “It’s something I don’t think the board can deny after the number and variety of people who got up to speak on his behalf.”

Board President Dore J. Gilbert said the board is concerned about setting a precedent by putting the name of a high school football coach on the stadium. It will be seeking reaction from parents and students throughout the district, particularly Laguna Hills High, which shares the stadium with Mission Viejo.

The board is scheduled to discuss the issue again on Jan. 25.

“The Board of Education is not making a decision based on how we as individuals may feel about Mike Rush,” Gilbert said. “We are making a decision based on what is right for the district.”