Munroe Is Out as Coach at Hart

Dave Munroe, who led Hart High to nine Foothill League girls’ basketball titles in 11 seasons, will not return as coach at the school.

Munroe, who had a 210-85 career record and won a Southern Section championship, would not discuss the reason for his departure.

“Let’s call it personal reasons and leave it at that,” he said.

Munroe’s departure is the sixth by a coach at Hart in two years.

Earlier this year, boys’ basketball coach David Montgomery was fired for philosophical differences with Principal Gary Fuller.

The school also has replaced its softball, baseball and boys’ and girls’ soccer coaches.

“Dave Munroe set the standard for coaching girls’ basketball in the Santa Clarita Valley,” Athletic Director Mike Herrington said. “It’s a shame we’re losing him. We will never find a better coach.”

Munroe said he would consider taking a position at another school.

“I’m a survivor,” he said.

* Brett Michel of Simi Valley High, the third-leading scorer on the all-time Ventura County list, has committed to Azusa Pacific.

Michel, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, scored 2,051 points during his four-year career as a starter for the Pioneers, averaging 19.6 points and 6.8 rebounds as a senior.

TRACK AND FIELD

* Clark Goodwin of Ventura High, two-time defending Southern Section Division II champion in the boys’ 400 meters, will accept a scholarship from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Goodwin ran a career best of 47.98 to win the Mt. San Antonio College Relays in Walnut on April 15, third on the all-time Ventura County list.

ATHLETICS

* After months of discussion and debate, the City Section Interscholastic Athletic Committee has overwhelmingly rejected a proposal that would have mandated one division for its playoffs.

The vote Tuesday means the status quo will be in effect, with most sports divided into Championship and Invitational divisions.

In other actions:

* El Camino Real’s softball program has been placed on one-year probation and must skip two practices before the start of league play next season for holding an illegal weekend practice during spring break.

* Nashid Beard, a 6-foot-8 junior basketball player at Reseda, has been awarded another semester of eligibility under a hardship waiver, clearing him to play next season for the Regents.

* A third-place game has been approved for the 32-team City boys’ soccer playoffs. The game will be played before the City Championship final.

* Pre-high school-aged students will not be allowed on the bench or sideline during athletic contests because of liability concerns. That includes the common practice of football coaches using their sons as ball boys.