Bomb Threat at Chaminade Halts Game

The threat of violence touched another school, forcing the postponement of Thursday’s anticipated Mission League softball showdown between favorites Chaminade and Notre Dame highs.

A bomb threat was reportedly phoned in to Chaminade Middle School, site of Chaminade High’s home games, forcing an early end to the school day and the postponement of the game while police and officials searched for a bomb. None was found.

Notre Dame (8-3), ranked No. 6 in the region by The Times, was boarding its bus in Sherman Oaks when Coach Cindy Kramer received a call from Chaminade Athletic Director Rob Webb at 2 p.m., telling her not to come.

“He just said that there was a bomb scare and that the whole school was closed down,” Kramer said. “We were ready to play.”

A makeup date has not been announced.

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Kristin Lueke, who has helped Hart climb to a No. 10 national softball ranking by Student Sports, has committed to play at Princeton.

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Dudley Rooney will be honored at Alemany High later this season for his contributions to the softball program.

Rooney, among the region’s most respected coaches, resigned at Alemany last summer to take an administrative job at Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian.

In 18 seasons, Rooney guided the Indians to 13 Mission League championships and a 350-123 record.

The school and its boosters have not decided how or when they will honor him.

“The parents and booster club would essentially like to recognize his accomplishments at Alemany,” Athletic Director Tim Browne said. “If not by dedicating the field to him, then maybe with a memorial plaque, even though the man’s still alive. Dudley did so much for this softball program and this school.”

Rooney said he was flattered.

“I was kind of hoping for a full-length bronze statue,” he joked. “It would give something for the pigeons to land on.”