Babovic denied eligibility

Martin Babovic, a Serbian foreign exchange student, will not be allowed to play on the varsity boys’ water polo team for Corona del Mar High, an Orange County Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday.

Attorney Richard Bridgford said there was improper contact before Babovic enrolled at CdM, based on the CIF Southern Section’s argument and rule of when enrollment begins, Judge Steven L. Perk ruled. However, the judge didn’t believe Babovic was recruited and was randomly placed at CdM, his attorney, Bridgford said.

Bridgford, who said he would not appeal, argued that enrollment for Babovic began in March when he was granted to stay with the Watson family and attend Corona del Mar. But CIF Southern Section charged that enrollment begins the day the student attends the school.

“I thought the judge did a fine job of reviewing everything, but I disagree with the ultimate ruling,” Bridgford said. “We were here for two reasons. Far and away the most important reason was to clear the school, Martin and the host of any recruitment and pre-placement. They are cleared of that .. The second reason was for him to play water polo. But frankly the CIF bungled this so badly, by the time the ruling comes down, two thirds of the season is over.”

James Watson, the father of the host family, said Babovic will play junior varsity for CdM, as he was originally granted eligibility for. Babovic could not comment, Watson said, per his parents’ request.

Watson expressed frustration with the ruling because he said there had to be contact once Babovic’s place at CdM was secured to ensure trust among other aspects.

“On one hand I was pleased the judge found no wrongdoing,” Watson said. “But at the end of the day, they focused on some technicality, which is the definition of enrollment at the school.”