Segerstrom principal, baseball coach removed after CIF violations confirmed; students fire back with petitions
An alleged 'pay-for-play' scandal has barred the Jaguars varsity baseball team from playoffs until next spring, but students say that's not cause for removal of their principal.
— First published Apr. 17, 2025, 11:50 PM; Updated Apr. 18, 2025, 12:27 AM —
SEGERSTROM HIGH — The Santa Ana Unified School District removed Segerstrom High School Principal David Casper and Varsity Baseball Coach Erasmo Ramirez on Thursday, the same day the California Interscholastic Federation placed the school’s baseball program on probation following confirmed bylaw violations through dual investigations.
Students are now pushing back with petitions to reinstate Casper and Ramirez.
Why is this happening?
It has been alleged that student-athletes seeking to play on the varsity baseball team were required to “pay-to-play” by joining the coach’s private club team — a practice that violates CIF regulations.
Specifically, CIF Bylaw 500C prohibits requiring or pressuring student-athletes to participate on non-school teams in order to qualify for school team participation.
In addition, SAUSD policies state that students cannot be charged fees in order to participate in district athletic programs.
According to a ParentSquare message sent to Segerstrom students and parents Thursday, SAUSD initiated an internal investigation into the varsity baseball program and found evidence supporting the reported violations. Based on those findings, the district contacted the CIF Southern Section to conduct its own independent investigation.
What findings the District and CIF witnessed remains unclear and may never be elaborated on.
Nevertheless, CIF reviewed the District’s findings and confirmed that the following CIF bylaws had been violated:
CIF Southern Section Bylaw 500.2 – Forfeiture Status
As a result of the confirmed violations, the CIF Southern Section announced the following penalties in a Thursday press release:
Segerstrom High School's baseball program is on probation until February 16, 2026.
All remaining wins for the current 2025 season must be forfeited.
The team is barred from participating in the 2025 CIF baseball playoffs.
The school may apply for reinstatement to full status after February 1, 2026.
According to MaxPreps, the varsity baseball teams has an overall 11-8 record, with a 5-2 first-place standing in the Golden West League. The Jaguars were to host Kennedy on Friday, but it is not confirmed if the game will go on.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Mr. David Casper, fmr. Segerstrom principal, Fmr. variety baseball coach Erasmo Ramirez, New interim Segerstrom principal Celeste Migliaccio. (SAUSD/Change.org/LinkedIn)
In response to the confirmed violations, SAUSD has taken the following personnel actions:
Principal David Casper has been removed from his role at Segerstrom High and reassigned to a different, currently unspecified, position within the district.
Varsity baseball coach Erasmo Ramirez has been removed from his coaching duties pending further review.
Celeste Migliaccio, Director of Secondary Student Achievement for SAUSD, will serve as interim principal at Segerstrom High School during this transition.
Students pushback, demand Casper and Ramirez be reinstated
In response to the District's disciplinary actions, students have launched a Change.org petition calling for immediate reinstatement of Mr. Casper. Nearly 1,000 signatures have been verified as of print.
Messages from current and former pupils say his character and doing as principal in past and present has made students feel welcome and safe.
A secondary petition was launched to also reinstate Ramirez.
The District has not released a formal press release, but The Santanero awaits a response from SAUSD Chief Communications Officer Fermin Leal.
For decades, police have shut down streets to deter Easter Sunday lowrider cruisers, but with cruising now legal and the culture evolving, critics call it a waste of taxpayer money and a hassle for residents trying to attend mass and celebrate.
— First published Apr. 17, 2025, 11:50 PM; Updated Apr. 18, 2025, 12:27 AM —
SEGERSTROM HIGH — The Santa Ana Unified School District removed Segerstrom High School Principal David Casper and Varsity Baseball Coach Erasmo Ramirez on Thursday, the same day the California Interscholastic Federation placed the school’s baseball program on probation following confirmed bylaw violations through dual investigations.
Students are now pushing back with petitions to reinstate Casper and Ramirez.
Why is this happening?
It has been alleged that student-athletes seeking to play on the varsity baseball team were required to “pay-to-play” by joining the coach’s private club team — a practice that violates CIF regulations.
Specifically, CIF Bylaw 500C prohibits requiring or pressuring student-athletes to participate on non-school teams in order to qualify for school team participation.
In addition, SAUSD policies state that students cannot be charged fees in order to participate in district athletic programs.
According to a ParentSquare message sent to Segerstrom students and parents Thursday, SAUSD initiated an internal investigation into the varsity baseball program and found evidence supporting the reported violations. Based on those findings, the district contacted the CIF Southern Section to conduct its own independent investigation.
What findings the District and CIF witnessed remains unclear and may never be elaborated on.
Nevertheless, CIF reviewed the District’s findings and confirmed that the following CIF bylaws had been violated:
As a result of the confirmed violations, the CIF Southern Section announced the following penalties in a Thursday press release:
According to MaxPreps, the varsity baseball teams has an overall 11-8 record, with a 5-2 first-place standing in the Golden West League. The Jaguars were to host Kennedy on Friday, but it is not confirmed if the game will go on.
In response to the confirmed violations, SAUSD has taken the following personnel actions:
Students pushback, demand Casper and Ramirez be reinstated
In response to the District's disciplinary actions, students have launched a Change.org petition calling for immediate reinstatement of Mr. Casper. Nearly 1,000 signatures have been verified as of print.
Messages from current and former pupils say his character and doing as principal in past and present has made students feel welcome and safe.
A secondary petition was launched to also reinstate Ramirez.
The District has not released a formal press release, but The Santanero awaits a response from SAUSD Chief Communications Officer Fermin Leal.
Read Next
SAUSD's transparency questioned as dual crises on staff cuts, CIF fallout ensue
SAPD celebrates Easter with annual road closures for 'unpermitted' enforcement
For decades, police have shut down streets to deter Easter Sunday lowrider cruisers, but with cruising now legal and the culture evolving, critics call it a waste of taxpayer money and a hassle for residents trying to attend mass and celebrate.
Five lives, one grieving city
How the deaths of five young Santaneros have left an entire city grieving, shocked, and starting a tough conversation on responsibility.
How to support the families of the car crash victims
A list of GoFundMe's, kermeses, and fundraisers for the Santa Ana families of victims who passed away in last Saturday's car accident.