Mater Dei High School completes investigation into its athletic culture, does not release details

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- A law firm hired by Santa Ana's Mater Dei High School has completed its investigation into the school's athletic culture, the school announced.

There was no indication that details of the results will be shared publicly.

"The climate assessment has been completed, and we have provided an overview of the report to the Mater Dei High School community," the school said in a statement. "We will use the climate assessment, along with our WCEA/WASC accreditation report and other school wide strategic plans, to strengthen the Mater Dei experience for all affiliated with the school."

Mater Dei's former president ordered the investigation in 2021 following allegations of hazing, assaults and sexual harassment by the school's athletes.

A lawsuit filed in November 2021 by the parents of a former football player accused the school and Catholic Diocese of Orange of trying to cover up a February locker room fight in which the player suffered a traumatic brain injury.

A court filing alleged head football coach Bruce Rollinson told the injured player's father the day after the fight, "If I had a hundred dollars for every time these kids played Bodies or Slappies,' I'd be a millionaire.''

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer reviewed a Santa Ana police report recommending the larger player who struck the smaller player be prosecuted for felony battery.

He concluded in a November 2021 press release that "Neither player involved in this fight was made to participate against their will ... there is not a single shred of evidence to show this was anything other than a mutual combat situation with two willing participants who traded blow for blow, including repeated punches to each other's heads.''