Mater Dei to Comment Today on Soccer Team

Mater Dei High School administrators say they will comment today on coaching changes and student suspensions resulting from allegations that members of the boys’ varsity soccer team were drinking alcohol at a team retreat.

Athletic Director Gary McKnight met with first-year soccer Coach John O’Neil Thursday and said he will issue a statement today.

O’Neil was dismissed and 11 players were suspended from school this week as a result of allegations that some players drank alcohol at a team retreat in Big Bear the weekend of Dec. 3.

Three players who attended the retreat were not disciplined and three varsity players did not attend, according to a parent of one player. The six varsity athletes have teamed with junior varsity players to compete as the varsity under baseball Coach Bob Ickes, who has been appointed interim soccer coach.