Fontana School District Rejects Loyola Ruling

The Fontana Unified School District on Wednesday rejected an arbitrator’s ruling to award five Loyola High assistant football coaches and the school’s trainer a combined $20,000 in damages stemming from a fight after a 1999 Southern Section Division I playoff game.

Riverside Superior Court Judge Gary Tranbarger will review the case and set a trial date during a Sept. 14 hearing. According to John Girardi, lawyer for the plaintiffs, the trial is not likely to begin before January, but it could be settled at any time.

“Given all the circumstances, it is surprising the claims adjuster from the school district has not attempted to resolve this case,” Girardi said.

The lawsuit alleges that Fontana coaches were negligent in supervising their players after a 28-7 loss to Loyola in an first-round playoff game at Pierce College in Woodland Hills.