About 75 Ayala High School student-athletes and parents held an hour-long rally on May 23 in front of the school on Peyton Drive asking for accountability, fairness, and respect for the several athletic coaches who recently resigned, leaving those sports without a head coach.
Athletes held signs with some stating “we have been defrauded, bring back our coaches,” “rehire to inspire,” and “don’t bench our coaches.”
Coaches in girls’ volleyball, track and field, cross country and boys’ and girls’ water polo have resigned this year.
In addition to coaches, longtime athletic director Warren Reed announced last week he is stepping down on June 3.
He said in a letter to Ayala High coaches that he was stepping down because of “philosophical and moral discrepancies with the direction and decisions of the current (Ayala High) administration.”
“Please understand that this resignation is not something I want to do, but rather something I feel I must do in order to remain true to the values that I hold,” Mr. Reed said. “I have always tried to lead with integrity, transparency, and a student-mind first. At this time, I can no longer do so in good conscience under the current circumstances.”
The athletes at the rally said they want Mr. Reed to return to his position.
Ayala High Principal Diana Yarboi said Wednesday in an email to the Champion that school site administrators are tasked with applying certain guidelines and protocols in relation to programs on the campus.
“While school leaders’ decisions may not always be popular, they are made in the best interests of the students to ensure our athletes qualify for competition while safety enjoying their sports,” Ms. Yarboi said. “Ayala leadership greatly appreciates the patience and support of its sports families as staff work to maintain the integrity of Ayala’s athletic programs that have come under the scrutiny of governing organizations.”
She said she is working to secure qualified coaches and that all “walk-on” coaching positions have been filled except boys’ and girls’ water polo.
Applications for that sport are being accepted through Tuesday, June 3, Ms. Yarboi said.
“Administration is confident that Ayala’s continued efforts to nurture each student athlete whilst maintaining the integrity of athletics on campus will overcome negative misinformation circulating within the community,” she said. “Our Bulldogs are resilient athletes and will be poised for competition this coming school year.”
Ayala girls’ water polo player Jordan Del Junco, a senior in the 2025-26 school year, said last year’s water polo coach Kevin Hammond was forced to resign and that the principal is against hiring him again.
Jordan said the team was told officials with the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section claimed Coach Hammond cheated his way through the 2024-25 season by losing games on purpose to get a more favorable ranking heading into the postseason.
“We did not do that,” Jordan said. “He was giving everyone equal playing time, even our inexperienced players. Mr. Reed wanted to hire him back, but Ms. Yarboi would not.”
Jordan’s teammate Chloe Utterback said that despite Coach Hammond leading the Bulldogs’ girls water polo team to the Palomares League championship and a spot into the playoffs, he is not being considered as this year’s coach. Coach Hammond also led the boys’ water polo team to the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 championship in 2023.
“Coach has helped us through so many hardships and obstacles that he needs to come back to us,” Chloe said.
Ms. Yarboi said Ayala High athletes will be ready to compete in all sports.
“Our Bulldogs are resilient athletes and will be poised for competition this coming school year,” she said.
(via @aces/TT)
