Catholic Archdiocese Suspends Varsity Football at Torrance School Amid CIF Violations
In a decisive move, the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has suspended Bishop Montgomery High School’s varsity football program for the entire 2025 season and fired its head coach. The decision, announced on September 2, follows a series of challenges, including violations of California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) regulations, which have cast a shadow over the Torrance-based private Catholic school’s football team.
According to a statement from Bishop Montgomery’s administration, the school took proactive measures to address the issues by self-reporting to the CIF Southern Section (CIF-SS). After a thorough review, the CIF-SS accepted the school’s report and the steps taken to rectify the situation. However, the Archdiocese determined that suspending the varsity football season was necessary to prioritize the well-being of the students and the school community and set a precedent that cheating is unacceptable.
“We deeply regret to inform our community that the varsity football program will be suspended for the 2025 season, and all scheduled games will be forfeited,” the school’s press release stated. Despite the cancellation of the varsity program, the school will continue to offer junior varsity football, allowing younger athletes to continue developing their skills.
The rules in question revolve around the Bishop Montgomery’s recruiting practices and the 4-game sitout period for transfer students. In order to avoid the 4-game sitout period, a student athlete has to prove that they changed residences, prompting the change of high schools. If a move is proven, the student avoids the 4 game sitout period. If not, the student athlete is subject to the sit-out period. This is a rule of the CIF-SS, but not always followed. Schools are required to submit move paperwork to CIF to certify the player’s eligibility, but schools have notoriously found ways around this rule. Until now.
Bishop Montgomery High School, located in Torrance, California, is a small Catholic institution known for its commitment to academic and athletic excellence. The cancellation marks a setback for the school’s football program, but a necessary one after its tactics were exposed.
The Archdiocese’s decision to suspend the season reflects its commitment to accountability in leadership, setting a powerful example for other schools and athletic programs. By taking swift and transparent action—self-reporting to CIF-SS and accepting the consequences—the Archdiocese has prioritized integrity over reputation. This move will hopefully teach the community the importance of upholding rules and fostering a culture of responsibility. Other schools facing similar challenges should take note of this approach, as it demonstrates that addressing issues head-on, even at the cost of a season, can pave the way for long-term trust and growth within a program.
As for the rest of the athletes, if their current school does not offer a sport, players are allowed to transfer without facing penalties, such as a mandatory sit-out period or the need for a valid change of residence.
As Bishop Montgomery rebuilds, the focus remains on supporting students and ensuring future compliance with CIF regulations. The decision serves as a powerful lesson in integrity, teaching young athletes that accountability matters, even when coaches or administrators believe their actions go unnoticed.
