Hazelton Says Burbank Didn’t Violate Rules

Although a report commissioned by the Burbank Unified School District and the Southern Section suggests otherwise, former Burbank High football coach John Hazelton denied involvement in alleged recruiting violations.

Hazelton said Burbank administrators went out of their way to make sure residency rules were adhered to.

The results of the investigation by former Crescenta Valley principal Sam Nicholson were released in a 58-page report Friday.

Nicholson’s report states that Hazelton and Burbank Board of Education president Joe Hooven “may have exercised undue influence on [students] to transfer to Burbank,” that Burbank assistant coach Ted Anderson “may have exercised some influence on [a football player] to transfer to Burbank” and that Burbank assistant John Greaves “may have assisted in influencing [a football player] to transfer to Burbank.”

Said Hazelton: “I stand up for the integrity of myself and the administration in working together this year to make sure that every player who played football was eligible and legal. With my past at Montclair Prep, which is no secret to anyone, it was important between four administrators and myself to work hand in hand to make sure that my kids were eligible.”

Hooven did not return telephone calls, Anderson could not be reached for comment, and Greaves said he will address the issue at a later date.

Burbank Board of Education vice-president Mike McDonald said it will be discussed at the board’s Thursday meeting.

Baseball

Mike Amundson, a senior at Newbury Park High, pitched a one-hitter and West Oaks advanced to the final of the South Orange County Thanksgiving tournament with a 6-0 victory over the California Wave.

Volleyball

Harvard-Westlake seniors Jenni Kriste and Lesley Coben were named co-players of the year in the Mission League.

The Wolverines won a fifth consecutive Mission League title, the Southern Section Division II and state Division III titles.

* Contributing: Darin Esper, Mike Bresnahan.