Costa Mesa coach suspended for 40 days

Roger Carlson

Eugene Day, whose 2001 boys soccer team claimed the Pacific Coast

League championship and was the first Mustangs’ team to qualify for

the CIF Playoffs in 10 years, has reluctantly been suspended for 40

days by Costa Mesa High.

The issue was forced by an interpretation from CIF of rule

24:2411, which states: “No member of the school athletic staff shall

organize, sponsor or coach a soccer team outside the season of

soccer, during the school year, in which students with remaining

eligibility at that school are participating.”

Day is the father of senior Sharon Day and freshman Jasmin Day,

who are on the girls soccer team, and have been members of the Gold

Coast Extreme Soccer Club, coached by their dad, the boys’ coach at

Costa Mesa.

“It just came down to the letter of the law,” said Day, who said

he had verbal permission from CIF and had been coaching the club team

since 1999 with complete confidence that he was within the rules.

“At the time I was not the head (boys) coach and I asked if I

could coach the (high school) boys while being a coach for the girls

club team, and they said ‘Yes, that’s fine.’ ”

Day could only recall the response at that time as a “male voice,”

and had no name or documentation.

Antonio Salinas, one of Day’s assistants this season, will take

the reins through the 40-day suspension period, according to Day.

Day will return to his post as boys coach Jan. 22 when the

Mustangs visit Golden West League foe Santa Ana.

Costa Mesa’s administration confirmed the CIF’s stand, disagreed

with the decision, but agreed to stand by it.

Among the items pointed out by the Costa Mesa communique to CIF:

That Day’s character is above reproach and that taking this action

would have an adverse effect on the boys’ soccer program.

That Day agreed to sever all ties to the Gold Coast Extreme Soccer

Club.

And that Day would begin his 40-day suspension immediately.

Costa Mesa was 0-2 in nonleague play heading into Friday’s match

with Cerritos.

Day said he was going to look at the positive angles, such as

having the opportunity to watch his daughters play and would not be

within distance of the boys team at practice, or at games.

“I’m not going to open any can of worms,” said Day.

“Hey, I can sleep in now,” he said in a happy manner.

Karen Hellyer, the CIF Southern Section Assistant Commissioner,

apparently ruled on the matter.

That could not be confirmed because she refused comment Friday

afternoon, stating through Sports Information Director Thom Simmons

that she had not seen any response from Costa Mesa in written form.

A copy of the response from Costa Mesa Assistant Principal Kirk

Bauermeister and Girls Athletic Director Pat Leahy to CIF

Commissioner James Staunton was faxed to the Daily Pilot at 12:35

p.m. Friday.