News Summary
Bishop Montgomery High School has forfeited its varsity football season due to illegal player transfers linked to a local booster. The decision follows an internal investigation prompted by allegations of financial support for the transfer of multiple players, breaching CIF bylaws. The school’s football program has faced scrutiny, with suspensions and a coach’s termination amid ongoing controversies. With aspirations to rectify its standing, the school aims to return to competition after implementing corrective measures for future compliance.
Torrance, California – Bishop Montgomery High School has officially forfeited its varsity football season for 2025 due to illegal player transfers linked to a local booster. The administration announced that it will suspend the season while an internal investigation is conducted in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
This decision follows allegations that Brett Steigh, a local booster, financially supported the illegal transfer of five players to the school. The investigation was prompted by Bishop Montgomery’s self-reporting of violations of bylaws set forth by the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section (CIF-SS).
Earlier this offseason, Bishop Montgomery raised suspicions by bringing in over 20 transfers, prompting further scrutiny from CIF-SS officials. On August 20, the CIF-SS confirmed the ineligibility of the five transferred players for providing false information, which constitutes a direct breach of CIF Bylaw 202.
Recent Events Impacting the Football Program
The Knights football season has already been marred by incidents, including a brawl that occurred during a game in Hawaii against St. Louis School. This event resulted in several player suspensions. Following the fallout from the Hawaii incident, Bishop Montgomery forfeited its next scheduled game against the prominent Mater Dei School due to a lack of eligible players.
In the wake of these challenges, head coach Ed Hodgkiss was terminated shortly after the Hawaii game, largely due to the ensuing controversies surrounding the team’s player eligibility and transfer practices.
Booster’s Admission and Its Implications
Brett Steigh, referred to as the “Money Man,” recently made admissions on a podcast regarding his financial support for the transfers to Narbonne, St. Bernard, and Bishop Montgomery. He indicated that he funded transfers by paying parents while maintaining he did not pay players directly, arguing that his actions were not illegal.
Steigh claimed that the total expenditure could reach approximately $50,000 per family for these transfers, in addition to other forms of support such as improved equipment and uniforms. His admissions have prompted investigations by both the CIF Los Angeles City Section and Southern Section to evaluate the repercussions of his statements.
Historical Context and Ongoing Scrutiny
Bishop Montgomery’s approach to player transfers has come under increased scrutiny, particularly given the past sanctions faced by Narbonne and St. Bernard for similar illegal transfer issues, with Narbonne receiving penalties in 2018 and 2024. The current investigation further complicates the school’s efforts to maintain integrity in its athletic program.
Following the revelation of these violations, the school’s principal communicated the concerns to players in a locker room meeting, highlighting the failures of adult leadership that contributed to the situation. In a public announcement, the school expressed regret regarding the impact of these violations on students, families, and the wider community, also committing to corrective measures moving forward.
Future of the Football Program
The CIF is in the process of reviewing Bishop Montgomery’s self-imposed sanctions regarding its football program. The school aims to restore its football standing and has announced plans to return to competition in 2026, following the implementation of measures designed to prevent future violations.
As the investigation continues, the emphasis remains on rectifying the situation and ensuring a fair playing environment for all athletes involved, with a commitment to uphold the integrity of high school athletics.
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Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Wikipedia: Bishop Montgomery High School
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Search: Bishop Montgomery High School
- NBC Los Angeles
- Google Scholar: Bishop Montgomery High School football
- Los Angeles Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bishop Montgomery High School
- Newsweek
- Google News: Bishop Montgomery High School football season 2025
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LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
