Alemany to Investigate Bill Payment

Southern Section Commissioner Dean Crowley said Monday he will ask Alemany High officials to investigate whether the family of star football players Deon and Deandre Scott has received financial support from the parent of a teammate.

Jim Clausen, the father of Alemany quarterback Casey Clausen, said Monday he paid a bill for the Scotts’ mother, Jennifer Strong, when the family home had a roof problem in January and she needed financial help.

Deon Scott transferred last summer to Alemany from Muir. His brother, Deandre, a top youth football player, also enrolled as a freshman.

The Scotts were among four top newcomers who enrolled at the $4,100-a-year private Catholic school last spring and summer.

The other transfer students were Casey Clausen and lineman Chad Dyslin, both of whom previously attended La Canada.

Jim Clausen was La Canada’s football coach from 1994-96.

Clausen said the payment, which he termed “an insignificant amount,” was made before the Scotts or his son decided to transfer to Alemany. Clausen said he has known the Scott family for about three years and was acting as a friend.

Strong has repaid the loan, Clausen said.

The Southern Section asked Alemany to investigate because state high school rules prohibit athletes from accepting financial inducements which might influence their decision on what school to attend.

First-year Alemany Coach Jim Bonds said he had “no idea” that an Alemany parent had provided financial support to the Scotts.

Dudley Rooney, Alemany’s athletic director, said the school will “definitely look into it.”

The Scotts recently moved to Sylmar from Pasadena.