Van Nuys Montclair Prep eliminates sports program

After more than 50 years of high school sports competition, Van Nuys Montclair Prep, a private school in the San Fernando Valley, announced Monday it will discontinue its sports program, stunning alumni and creating a scramble for its top athletes with eligibility remaining.

“As a result of this economy and overwhelming requests for financial aid, we had to restructure,” said the school’s director, Mark Simpson.

Besides the sports program being eliminated, the school, which was founded in 1956, will no longer offer financial aid and will drop its teaching program for seventh- and eighth-graders, becoming a 9-12 school. A letter went out to more than 200 students Monday informing them of the changes.

“It will be shocking, but I think if they really think about it, it won’t be that shocking,” Simpson said. “The cost of the athletic program is too much for the school to handle.”

Montclair Prep has been known, in particular, for its strong baseball program, producing major leaguers Russ Ortiz, Brad Fullmer and Torey Lovullo while winning six Southern Section titles. The Mounties also won five boys’ basketball titles, one in girls’ basketball and four in football.

One of the top pitchers in the Southland, Max Fried, a UCLA commit, now becomes almost a free agent. Under CIF rules, he and his classmates will be allowed to transfer to any private school they want or public school within their residential attendance boundaries without a loss of eligibility, according to Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons.

Fried, however, is hardly ready to decide on a new school. He was trying to come to terms with a decision that will also affect his younger brother Jake, an incoming freshman.

“I had no idea,” he said. “It’s tough. I would definitely like to play next season. We’re going to have to sit down as a family.”

Baseball Coach Rick Weber said he would help his players find new schools. The Mounties also have top basketball, football and female athletes who will probably transfer to continue their sports careers.

Alumni expressed disbelief at the decision.

“It’s beyond horrifying,” said Toi Cook, a Montclair Prep grad who played in the NFL.

“I’m completely shocked,” said P.C. Shaw, a former Montclair Prep baseball player who serves as an assistant coach at Studio City Harvard-Westlake. “With the athletic history we’ve had, it’s a sad day. I’m crushed.”

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com