rooney firing protested

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SoCalHoops High School News

More Letters To Editors: Dudley
Rooney Firing Protested--(Sept. 21, 1999)

Like the unexpected resignation of Dean Bradshaw which created an outpouring of affection in the Times and Daily News, the recent firing of Dudley Rooney, the long-time athletic director, teacher and girls softball coach at Alemany High has also sparked some concerns from the community, and some criticism which is being leveled at the Archdiocese, which runs Alemany High.

Here's a recap of what happened: Darryl McDonald, an assistant coach two years ago and the long-time coach of the CAVS basketball program, a private youth league run through the YMCA in San Fernando, somehow got the head boys basketball coaching job at Alemany High. Only one minor problem. McDonald was a convicted sex offender, registered as such with the State of California. When he was hired at the YMCA, he or someone assisting him submitted a set of fingerprints not his own in order to avoid detection. It worked and the YMCA was not aware of McDonald's past, and neither were any of the players or parents at the Y or San Fernando. When he got the job at Alemany, the administrators, evidently Rooney, reportedly relied on that prior criminal justice background check conducted by the YMCA, and so McDonald again evaded detection. When the truth came out, McDonald was terminated (and he's also being investigated for possible violations of his probation, and possible violations of the registered sex offender law--he didn't inform State authorities he was working with kids, as required when one is convicted as a registered sex offender). The upshot also was that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was greatly embarrassed by the entire incident, which not only involved this new questionable coach with hidden "credentials" but it also involved several transfers by students who, in their senior year, ended up possibly displacing a few long-time Alemany students on the roster, which created a lot of controversy (rightly or wrongly) during last season. Suffice it to say, the Archdiocese was going to suffer, but not enjoy, talk about illegal recruiting and questionable transfers. But they weren't going to suffer having a convicted registered sex offender as a head coach at one of their high schools. Heads had to roll. One of those heads was Dudley Rooney, the man apparently responsible for hiring McDonald in the first instance. We don't know if Rooney had anything to do with the actual hiring of McDonald, but he did have the title "Athletic Director" and that was good enough for the Archdiocese. They fired him, after more than 17 years with the school. And that had a lot of people mad. Here's what they're saying:

From Kaitlin Ross, Simi Valley (Daily News):

I am a 10th grade student at Alemany High . I am writing on behalf of most of my fellow students who are disappointed and upset with the recent firing of Dudley Rooney, athletic director, teacher and softball coach. Mr. Rooney was my softball coach. There is nobody with greater love and concern for his players than Mr. Rooney. There has never been a time when I stepped on Alemany's softball field under Mr. Rooney's coaching and not had fun or learned something. There is nothing Mr. Rooney wouldn't do for any one of the students at Alemany. I have never attended an event where I have not seen Mr. Rooney there cheering us on. I ahve only had the privilege to know and be coached by such a wonderful man for one year, but I know he has touched my life forever. With so many negative influences in the world today, I can't believe one of the best role models I know is being taken away from the students he touches.

From Celia Morabit, Northridge (LA Times):

Like numerous others, I am shocked at the horible injustice of Dudley Rooney being fired from Alemany High. He was my seventh-grade teacher at St. Didacus. As the first male teacher our class ever had, Rooney was an excellent example of a mature, responsible, hard-working Catholic family man. He was also the first adult male who made me realize that being a girl and being athletic is nothing to be ashamed about. Rooney opened up a whole new world for my sister and me, suggesting we play on his softball team in the very competitive Sepulveda Park League. Rooney is incapable of doing anything that would warrant his firing. He is the epitome of the ideal role model. He is a champion of the underdog and doesn't tolerate injustice. When a seventh-grade boy was routinely picked on, Rooney handled the situation better than any teacher I ever had. he dipolomatically sent the boy on an errand, then very effectively made it clear to the rest of us that we'd have him to deal with if we continued our rude behavior. Unlike many teachers and coaches, Rooney didn't gain his popularity by being friends with his students at the expense of showing leadership and setting standards. Unless you do your best, he doesn't hesitate to show his disapproval and disappointment. Rooney is exactly the kind of leader that every school, expecially a Catholic one, should feel fortunate to have. Until this action is reversed I will remain thoroughly ashamed of the Archdiocese.

From James E. Strong and Julie Strong, Van Nuys (LA Times):

We have had children attending Alemany High for seven years. We believe that the adminstrators and teachers have always strived to provide a wonderful, spiritual learning environment for our daughters. We feel that the termination of Rooney is a great loss for Alemany. Rooney has proven his dedication and love for the students. We understant the Archdiocese is trying to recover from an unfortunate situation with the hiring of Darryl McDonald, but we do not see how Rooney can be held solely responsible. It is obvious that McDonald was very deceitful in his application for a position at Alemany. It is also obvious that a mistake was made in hiring McDonald but we do not see how firing a dedicated teacher makes up for that mistake. We believe Rooney would never knowingly put our children at risk. We sincerly ask that you reconsider your decisoin and reinstate Rooney in his position at Alemany. Our main concern should be the welfare of our children. We believe that firing a deciated, supportive teacher like Rooney is not to the benefit of our children or Alemany.