Burwell Bolts Chaminade for Cleveland

Sean Burwell, the fourth-leading rusher in the Valley-area last season, has transferred to Cleveland rather than face punishment for violating an unspecified rule at Chaminade High.

The infraction, which occurred on campus over the summer, did not involve police, Chaminade Coach Rich Lawson said.

Lawson, who is also dean of students at Chaminade--a private parochial school of approximately 1,000 students--would not elaborate. Burwell would only say that the incident was not alcohol- or drug-related.

“An incident this summer forced disciplinary action involving Sean and another player on the team,” Lawson said.

Burwell discussed the proposed punishment with his mother, Sharon, and it was agreed this week that he would transfer.

“They were going to suspend me for a game, put me on academic probation for a whole year and make me see a counselor for a whole year,” Burwell said. “It was no big deal. I think the whole thing was blown out of proportion.”

Burwell missed Tuesday’s practice, and he and his mother met with Lawson on Wednesday. They informed the coach that Sean would transfer to Cleveland, which is in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The junior tailback’s eligibility this season is in question, however. Because Burwell has not changed residences, he will be ineligible for the 1987 season unless financial hardship can be documented, according to Hal Harkness, City Section director. When the home address of an athlete has not changed, City rules require proof that a transfer is warranted.

Burwell, who lives within Cleveland’s attendance boundaries in Canoga Park, has filed a petition with the City, citing hardship.

Harkness said Burwell may practice at Cleveland but must await the approval of the City’s Interscholastic Athletic Committee before playing in a game. The petition will be reviewed at the IAC’s meeting Sept. 28. Cleveland opens its season Sept. 25 against Chatsworth.

Burwell insisted hardship is a factor in the transfer.

“My mom has been under a burden to keep me there,” he said. “It’s not cheap. We have the documents to prove we are a hardship case.”

Tuition at Chaminade is approximately $3,000 a year. Burwell agreed, however, that the proposed disciplinary action prompted the transfer.

“To tell you the truth, I think if this hadn’t happened I wouldn’t be changing schools,” Burwell said. “I think this really opened my eyes. I wasn’t feeling very comfortable there after this.”

Teammates said Burwell (6-0, 178), who gained more yards (1,211) than any Valley-area sophomore except Crespi’s Russell White last year, will be missed.

“With the offensive line we have, any running back can probably gain 1,000 yards,” said Doug Kavulich, a senior tackle. “The choice was his, and I thought it was a good choice. It just didn’t work out for him here.”

Said Lawson, a first-year coach: “He’s an average 16-year-old boy who has common problems that all of us have faced. The thing that’s disappointing is not that I’m losing a good football player. The thing that upsets me is that I’m losing a kid I would have liked to have had personal contact with.”

Chaminade will use senior tailbacks Tim Lavin and John Hreno to fill the void. Lavin rushed for 700 yards as a sophomore but attended Miraleste High in Rancho Palos Verdes last year.

Lawson’s loss could be Cleveland Coach Steve Landress’ gain. Burwell approached Landress at a Cleveland workout last week with the news that a transfer was possible.

“I’m very, very excited,” Landress said. “We have another junior, Mark Mooney, and they would make a great backfield for the next two years.”