Eight football transfer students from Long Beach Millikan have been declared ineligible in the latest crackdown by the Southern Section, according to the section’s transfer portal.
Last week, Bishop Montgomery had 19 players declared ineligible. Several of those players have moved to Arizona to try to get eligible. The Millikan players received a two-year suspension for violating CIF bylaw 202, which involves providing false information.
Millikan previously announced it had forfeited two games for use of ineligible players. The team is 0-4.
In 2022, Millikan had to forfeit four games for an ineligible player and coach Romeo Pellum was briefly suspended by the school.
The Southern Section has been paying closer attention to transfer students for the last two years since requirements for paperwork went from two items to six, allowing for greater scrutiny.
A spokeswoman for the Long Beach Unified School District sent this comment: “Millikan High School acknowledges the recent
CIF ruling regarding athletic eligibility within its football program. We take this matter seriously and regret the impact it has had on our students, families, and community. The school has complied with CIF directives, including the forfeiture of games, and we are conducting a review of the transfer procedures at our site and within the Moore League to ensure compliance moving forward.
“While student and employee matters are confidential, our commitment remains to support our students while upholding the integrity of our athletic programs.”