Courier

Media Credit: Daniel Lottes Kenny Lawler at a practice this past summer.

Over four months after Head Football Coach Kenny Lawler was put on administrative leave, PCC administrators are still unsure of his fate.

According to school officials, the third-party investigation into his "policies and procedures" has concluded, but further action regarding Lawler's status at the college is unknown.

"Really nothing has changed, even though the investigation is completed. There has not been any decision made. At this point Kenneth Lawler is still on paid administrative leave and that's basically all I know at this point," Interim Dean/Athletic Director Beverly Tate said in a phone message on Tuesday.

When asked if she knew what further steps would be taken in the case, Tate responded, "I don't know. It is not at my level. All I know is what I told you in the message."

Tate directed any further questions to the Human Resources department.

Interim Dean of Human resources Lyle Engeldinger and Supervisor Melinda Polo were in meetings all day Wednesday and were unavailable for comment.

Lawler was put on leave after an 0-2 start this season and after it was discovered that Darryl "Slurp" Stephens, a member of the football team, was a registered sex offender and parolee, was arrested for assault on campus.

The reasons for Lawler's leave have been cloudy, as PCC administration has sent mixed messages.

Vice President of Instruction Jacqueline Jacobs said in a prepared statement on Sept. 17 regarding the Stephens case, "Pasadena City College does not condone the recruitment of players who have a record of sexual offenses. This institution is conducting an investigation into this matter."

There is no school policy regarding the recruitment of sexual offenders, but Section 67362 of the state Education Code declares that any student athlete attending any public collegiate institution will be ineligible if they are still serving time on parole or probation for a conviction of various listed felony offenses once they have enrolled in college.

The section does not apply to Stephens, however, because the offense he committed occurred prior to his enrollment at PCC.

In fact, he previously played at Mt. San Antonio College in 2005, after the incident.

In a news conference with journalism students on Oct. 2, PCC President Paulette Perfumo said that the investigation regarded "COA (Commission on Athletics) policies and procedures."

This notion was challenged by COA Executive Director Carlyle Carter and Southern California Football Association (SCFA) Commissioner Jim Sartoris, who oversee's PCC's football conference.

Both said in telephone interviews on Oct. 29 that there were no eligibility issues in COA or SCFA bylaws or constitutions regarding felons or registered sex offenders participating in community college athletics.

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