Crowd Supports Weil; Vote Delayed

Al Weil, the recently retired Hart High softball coach who is seeking reinstatement, remains in limbo despite a flood of impassioned, inspirational and sometimes touching pleas by several supporters at the William S. Hart School District Board meeting Wednesday night at the administration building in Newhall.

Board President Paula Olivares refused to submit the action to vote despite the boisterous demands of the overflow crowd.

“In the near future we will be issuing a statement,” Olivares told the crowd of about 150.

Olivares met a request for a specific action date with further ambiguity.

“That’s a decision that is up to us,” she said.

Weil spoke on his own behalf, the first time he has publicly addressed the issue.

The 13-year veteran softball coach confirmed speculation that he had been forced to resign.

“They said, ‘You must step aside,’ ” Weil said. “They didn’t give me a choice. They said if I didn’t, I was going to be replaced.”

Weil, who has a 273-96 record at Hart and has won six Foothill League championships, resigned in July amid allegations by former players that he prevented a player from receiving a college scholarship and cut players from the team for personal reasons.

Tom Fortune, father of Hart player Amanda Fortune, immediately began to rally supporters. He handed out fliers, circulated a petition and collected names and addresses before and after the meeting.

Among those who spoke in support of Weil were Hart girls’ Athletic Director Linda Peckham, Hart baseball Coach Bud Murray, Saugus softball Coach Ron Hilton and various parents, players and former players.