Studio City South Will Hit the Bottom in Standings

Talk about the perfect team to schedule. Against the Studio City South American Legion team, you win if you win and win if you lose.

District 20 Commissioner Mel Swerdling said Tuesday that Studio City South, which Swerdling lists as 4-16 in the latest district standings, has been an illegal team all season and will finish the season Sunday winless.

The Campbell Hall-based team features eight outside players on its roster, a violation of Legion rules.

Coach Joe Sciuto said his team has beaten Granada Hills West, Van Nuys West, Van Nuys South and San Fernando, but that there has never been any attempt to hide the team’s ineligible status.

Sciuto said he tried to form an all-Campbell Hall team this season but didn’t have enough players.

But Sciuto said when he announced this at a mandatory coaches’ preseason meeting, he was cleared by Swerdling and other coaches to add players with the understanding the team would forfeit any victories.

The problem with this plan? Teams on Studio City South’s schedule were assured of a free victory, whereas others were not.

Sciuto said his team is a small-school all-star squad featuring players from Campbell Hall, Buckley, Viewpoint and Faith Baptist, among others.

He acknowledges the problem but said those opposed to the plan should have spoken up at the preseason meeting.

“They all agreed then but now that playoff dreams come into play, some people are saying it’s not fair,” Sciuto said.

“There was no intent to deceive but I understand a coach whose team finishes a couple games out of the playoffs being upset if we weren’t on his schedule,” Sciuto added.