Taft Officials Investigating Baseball Coach

Taft High baseball Coach Rich McKeon acknowledged he is being investigated by school administrators in response to a complaint of unfair treatment by a former player’s mother.

The mother of Mike Rolbin, who graduated last spring, wrote several letters to Taft administrators, prompting the investigation. No timetable is set for completion.

“I know it happens from time to time with other coaches who have to deal with parents who are upset,” McKeon said. “Once they speak with other players and coaches, they’ll do an adequate job of telling the truth.”

Football

Cal State Northridge coaches will learn today if Darren Walton, the team’s top returning running back, will be academically eligible to play this season. Walton is scheduled to meet with an instructor today to discuss changing his grade from a summer-school class.

Walton, a 6-foot-1, 213-pound senior, ran for 301 yards and two touchdowns in 59 carries for the Matadors last season.

Antelope Valley High linebacker-fullback Justin Reinier has been dismissed from the team indefinitely by Coach Brent Newcomb for disciplinary reasons.

Reinier, a 6-foot, 208-pound senior, was one of the top returning players in the Golden League.

Former Taft High safety DaShon Polk has been cleared to play for Arizona this season by the NCAA after his Scholastic Assessment Test score was challenged.

Assistant Athletic Director Bill Morgan said a waiver was granted by the NCAA to restore Polk’s eligibility but he will be unable to practice for several days as additional paperwork is completed.

Littlerock High has announced a tentative agreement to play at St. Paul on Sept. 15. Littlerock was scheduled to play Hesperia, which backed out this week because of a prior commitment.

Curtis Marsh, a former Moorpark College receiver, was signed to the five-man practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Marsh, a rookie from Utah, was released by the Jaguars on Sunday but resigned on Monday.

Former Kennedy and Arizona running back Ontiwaun Carter has signed with the North Division leading Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.

Receiver A.C. Caswell, who played at Glendale College, was signed to the Oakland Raiders’ practice roster.

Track and Field

Matt Jones, runner-up in the shotput in this year’s City Section championships for North Hollywood High, has enrolled at Cal State Northridge and is expected to play football and compete in track for the Matadors.

Jones, who led the region in the shotput with a throw of 57 feet last season, is working out at defensive back with the football squad.

Ice Hockey

The Los Angeles Ice Dogs--a new franchise in the International Hockey League--will hold open tryouts Sept. 7 at the Sports Arena, four days before training camp opens at Iceoplex in North Hills.

Information: 213-749-7825, ext. 316.

Contributing: Dana Haddad, Steve Henson, Michael Lazarus, Ethan Skolnick, John Ortega.