VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : VIEWPOINT : Rooney Supporters Believe Archdiocese Fumbled Firing

Like most parents of students at Alemany High, I was shocked and appalled to hear of the recent firing of Dudley Rooney, longtime athletic director, teacher and softball coach, by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. I have two children attending Alemany, and a daughter who graduated this year.

I know Rooney and greatly respect his dedication, integrity and love for the entire Alemany community. I believe his firing is grossly unfair and without merit. To make a scapegoat out of a committed educator and coach who served the Archdiocese for some 22 years is cowardly and immoral.

Both of my daughters played softball for Alemany. Rooney and his wife, Cathy, an assistant softball coach, set a wonderful example for students. Rooney is a highly respected member of the community and I sincerely doubt you would find a person, student, teacher or opposing coach to say a negative thing about him. He is a constant presence at Alemany, attending athletic events, teaching classes and mentoring students.

I can only hope and pray that the Archdiocese reconsiders its decision and reinstates Rooney so he can continue the work that he believes in and has devoted his life to. It is the right thing to do.

ANNE REISS

Simi Valley

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Have I been transported back to Salem and its witch hunts? Twenty-two years of dedication down the drain for carrying out your superior’s instructions?

Scapegoat is not a strong enough word for this ridiculous decision made by the Archdiocese on dismissing Dudley Rooney at Alemany. As a parent of a Notre Dame graduate and an Alemany graduate, I have seen my children excel under two Rooneys, Dudley and Kevin.

Every parent knows that we are lucky to have such talented, professional and personable athletic directors at these two top high schools. For the Archdiocese to dismiss Dudley for this unproved mistake is unbelievable and unconscionable.

I, for one, won’t take this without a fight. How about it Father Milbauer, care to join me and other angry students, parents, teachers, friends and family of Dudley Rooney when we picket in front of the Archdiocese?

BEVERLY BLONSTEIN

Northridge

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I am a senior at Alemany and have been part of the varsity softball program for the last three years, and hopefully one more year with Dudley Rooney. I was overcome with emotion and outraged to find that the Archdiocese had fired Rooney as athletic director, as a teacher and as my coach.

I thought from attending a Catholic school and being brought up in a Catholic environment that the Archdiocese would have handled this situation in a completely different manner, instead of finding a scapegoat.

I have learned a tremendous amount of information from Rooney, who has a tremendous amount of integrity. After teaching at Alemany for 22 years, he would never endanger any of his students. This man cares more about the students than himself, and that is why I respect him.

I know I am not the only person who feels this way. I hope after all is said and done that the Archdiocese discovers it has done a tremendous injustice to Rooney and his family and will reinstate him.

There will be a huge void at our school without him and his guidance. I know the students feel a terrible loss.

COURTNEY CARR

Sylmar

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I have been reading about Valley sports since I was a student-athlete at Alemany in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, and rarely do I agree with your commentaries. But I read about the incredibly bogus firing of Dudley Rooney and was moved to write.

I have known Rooney since his days at St. Didacus School in Sylmar. Even though I attended a rival school, Rooney was always quick with a hello, a kind word and a handshake.

As a student-athlete at Alemany, I was able to get to know Rooney better. I have been back to see a few games and he still remembers me and my friends, and he is quick with a kind word.

I strongly agree with your assessment of Rooney, that his exemplary work and dedication should be commended and not punished. And a Catholic school should give a man with such integrity the benefit of the doubt, to say the least.

STEPHEN DELGADO

Sylmar