Bishop Montgomery High School Suspends Varsity Football Program for 2025 Season Due to CIF-SS Violations
Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance has made the decision to suspend its varsity football program for the rest of the 2025 season and forfeit all remaining games. This action was taken following revelations that a booster, Brett Steigh, had provided financial assistance to parents of players from other schools before supporting the Bishop Montgomery program. The school self-reported additional violations of CIF-SS bylaws related to transfer students after an investigation conducted in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic School.
The CIF-SS, the governing body for high school sports in much of Southern California, had previously ruled five Bishop Montgomery players ineligible for violating a bylaw and providing false information. The school had over 20 incoming football transfers for the season, raising questions about the eligibility of players to transfer to another school this season. In response to these developments, the high school announced the dismissal of football coach Ed Hodgkiss, who also held the position of co-athletic director.
The suspension of the varsity football program and the forfeiture of games for the remainder of the 2025 season at Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance have been announced. This decision was made in light of a booster's admission of providing financial support to parents of players from other schools before assisting the Bishop Montgomery program. Following an investigation in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Department of Catholic School, the school reported additional violations of CIF-SS bylaws related to transfer students. As a result, the CIF-SS ruled five players ineligible last month for violating a bylaw and falsifying information. The school had more than 20 incoming football transfers for the season, raising questions about the eligibility of players to transfer to another school this season. Additionally, the high school announced the firing of football coach Ed Hodgkiss, who also served as the co-athletic director.