VALLEY / VENTURA COUNTY SPORTS : Jones Gains Eligibility, Starr Slapped on Wrist

In the age of open enrollment, it was an increasingly familiar tale.

A high school player with Division I college aspirations transfers to a high-profile program and is granted eligibility over the protests of his former school.

Only this time there was a twist, one that resulted in Coach Troy Starr of Taft being suspended for one game while his program was placed on probation for one year.

Gerard Jones, a senior wide receiver and defensive back, transferred from Reseda to Taft through open enrollment in the spring.

However, he lacked one piece of paperwork--a pupil accounting report--and should not have practiced at Taft until Reseda forwarded the form to his new school.

Because Jones began practicing Aug. 2 and the paperwork did not arrive at Taft until Sept. 1, Taft was found to be in violation Thursday at a meeting of the City Athletics Rules Committee.

Starr must miss the Toreadors’ third game, at home against Dorsey. The probation, according to City Commissioner Barbara Fiege, means further transgressions will result in “the hammer coming down on Taft.”

Myra Fullerton, Taft’s first-year principal, believes probation is an appropriate sanction.

“A mistake was made and it won’t happen again,” Fullerton said. “I only get burned once. We will discuss whether to appeal Coach Starr’s suspension.”

Jones is eligible and played Thursday night against Banning. The committee believed he was a victim of Reseda’s reluctance to provide the proper paperwork and of Taft’s apparent ignorance of the rule.

“I am satisfied with the result,” said Rick Rossini, a vice principal who presented Reseda’s case.

Jones told the committee he and his mother repeatedly went to Reseda in June to obtain the documents necessary to transfer. They were told on one occasion computers weren’t functioning and on another that they had to meet with the principal, who was not on campus.

“Reseda was trying to hold our young man hostage,” Fullerton said.

Fullerton and Starr said they did not know the pupil accounting report was necessary.

“When you are a top-notch team and you are about to acquire a top-notch player, you make sure every ‘i’ is dotted,” said Sal Castro of the rules committee.

Reseda originally submitted documents alleging Jones was recruited by Taft players and a parent. However, Rossini withdrew the charges at the hearing.

Taft was placed on probation in 1994 for recruiting violations by Starr concerning running back Dante Clay of North Hollywood.