Alemany Parents Contest Proposal

An Encino attorney representing a group of Alemany High parents is trying to convince the Southern Section to reverse the decision of the Catholic Athletic Assn., which has proposedmoving the Indians’ football team into the Division I Del Rey League next season.

David Dicker, an attorney representing parents of Alemany players, said Tuesday he has raised safety and competitive concerns to Southern Section attorney Andy Patterson.

“Clearly, it’s wrong,” Dicker said of the releaguing proposal. “While we recognize the fact not everybody is going to be happy, there’s no way this will be the right answer. The parents of Alemany are looking for fairness and the latest releaguing proposal is not fair.”

Dicker said the CAA did not follow guidelines and criteria established by the Southern Section and CAA when determining the releaguing structure, including geography and competitiveness.

Southern Section league representatives will meet Jan. 28 to adopt the releaguing proposals, but Commissioner Dean Crowley warned football coaches at a clinic last week that the challenge by Alemany parents could cause a delay in finalizing playoff groupings.

Last month, the CAA refused to reconsider moving Alemany and St. Paul from the Division III Mission League to the Division I Del Rey, which also includes perennial Division I football powers Loyola and Bishop Amat.

School officials at Alemany declined to appeal to the Southern Section.

Sister Cheryl Milner, president of the CAA, said the releaguing proposal has been finalized and must be voted on at the Southern Section Council meeting.