Bruce Hastie, recognized last year as the state's top prep water polo coach, is being fired from Jesuit High School.
Hastie, 48, founded the Marauders' immensely successful water polo program 18 years ago and was the 2007 California Coaches Association Water Polo Coach of the Year. He was told he will be fired as coach and assistant dean of students Wednesday after he submits a proposed financial settlement to the school's administration.
Jesuit's president, Father Greg Bonfiglio, asked Hastie to resign April 24 and again Monday. Susan Sheridan, Hastie's attorney, said her client was given no reason for the resignation request and refused both times.
Bonfiglio characterized the issue as a personnel matter and declined to comment further, saying, however, the move did not involve "student safety concerns."
Hastie was expected to receive his official 30-day termination notice Thursday, but Sheridan said Jesuit attorney Van Longyear agreed to a delay to allow Hastie to present his settlement proposal.
"I've been told there is no way he'll get the job back," Sheridan said.
A statement Sheridan released to The Bee says Hastie was called to Bonfiglio's office April 24 and was told Jesuit's attorney advised the school to "make a change in the dean's office."
Hastie met with Bonfiglio again Monday and told him he needed more time to talk with legal counsel, refusing the second request to resign, the document states.
Sheridan said if Jesuit rejects Hastie's settlement proposal, mediation could be attempted to avoid "very messy litigation."
Hastie said Thursday he has been "devastated by this" but would not comment further.
Two former Jesuit water polo players, Matthew Ward and Spencer Livingston, initiated an e-mail campaign urging other former players, parents and friends to lobby school administration and trustees on Hastie's behalf.
"We all know how many lives Bruce Hastie has positively influenced throughout his 18 years of involvement at Jesuit High School," Ward and Livingston wrote.
Jesuit water polo co-captain Jon Leopold credited Hastie with being his mentor and helping the player choose to accept a water polo scholarship to USC.
Leopold, a senior, said many fellow students are upset.
"There have been tons of rumors, all kinds of different things," Leopold said. "One of the biggest frustrations is how you can dismiss someone like that in such a short period. He was one of the most influential people I knew at the school."
Leopold said he and several teammates met Tuesday for 15 minutes with Bonfiglio.
"He listened to our questions but basically told us he couldn't say anything, that it's now lawyers talking to lawyers," Leopold said.
Longtime Hastie athletic rival and friend Tracy Stapleton, who coaches at Davis High, said he was stunned by the news.
"It's just like I've seen a car accident," Stapleton said. "We are not a sport where we have people lining up to take on leadership roles. It's a much closer-knit community. I look upon Bruce as a pillar of the community."
Phil Nuxoll, Jesuit's interim athletic director, characterized the campus community as "shocked."
"Bruce is one of my best friends," Nuxoll said.
Bonfiglio praised Hastie's coaching.
"His record stands for itself," he said. "He's the most decorated water polo coach in the section, and he has had a remarkable history here."
Hastie, who refused to cut players from his team, was known for having the area's largest water polo squads. Last season, 85 students competed in varsity, junior varsity and freshman programs.
During Hastie's tenure, Jesuit won six Sac-Joaquin Section Division I titles and was the runner-up five times.
Hastie also has been heavily involved in the development of the sport at a club level.
Last summer, he received the Ambassador's Award for Sports Diplomacy from U.S. Ambassador April Foley in Budapest, Hungary, after organizing a goodwill tour of the country for 28 members of the Sacramento Water Polo Club, most of them Jesuit students.
Call The Bee's Bill Paterson, (916) 326-5506.
