Parent Says Complaint Led to Firing

MISSION HILLS — The father of an Alemany High athlete said Friday that he believes his complaints to school administrators and the archdiocese of Los Angeles resulted in the dismissal of girls’ basketball Coach Melissa Hearlihy.

Damon Zumwalt, whose daughter, Devan, was a sophomore forward for Alemany last season, said he approached school administrators regarding Hearlihy’s conduct and was asked to submit his complaint in writing. Zumwalt said he subsequently was summoned for a meeting with archdiocese officials.

Hearlihy, 35, was informed Thursday by school administrators that her contract would not be renewed for the next school year. She said she was not given a reason. However, she believes her termination stemmed from her treatment of a player last season. Hearlihy declined to identify the player.

Zumwalt said he did not learn of Hearlihy’s dismissal until Thursday but believes his actions were “very” responsible.

“I don’t know that anyone else had the courage to come forth with these issues,” Zumwalt said.

Hearlihy, who led Alemany to nine Mission League championships and two Southern Section titles in 12 seasons, on Friday released a statement through her attorney saying that she is considering legal action to “clear my name.”

Officials at Alemany and the archdiocese of Los Angeles declined comment. Hearlihy said she has been advised by her attorney to decline further comment.

Zumwalt said his daughter is considering transferring to another school. He declined to elaborate on his dispute with Hearlihy other than to say it concerned “more than basketball.

“I would like very much to give the entire story, but I am going to follow the request of the archdiocese and not discuss the matter,” Zumwalt said.

In her statement, Hearlihy recounted an incident in which the parents of a player complained to administrators regarding their daughter’s amount of playing time and her relationship with teammates.

The statement read, in part, “it was Ms. Hearlihy’s understanding that the matter had been resolved in her favor.” The statement also alleges that that the incident arose from Hearlihy’s coaching decisions.

Senior forward Rachel Manning, a four-year varsity member who missed all but one game last season because of a knee injury, described Devan Zumwalt as “having a bad attitude.

“She complained about playing time and people not passing her the ball,” Manning said. “She was just unhappy. The Zumwalts had a negative attitude. Devan’s parents were complaining in the stands. All the parents sat together, but Devon’s parents sat by themselves. He’d yell and scream, ‘Pass her the ball!’ ”

Hearlihy, who, like all Alemany coaches, was under a one-year contract, said she planned to appeal the decision with the archdiocese.