Gilliam of CSUN Signs With Dodgers

Darryl Gilliam, who played in the outfield and infield for Cal State Northridge during the past three seasons, has signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 5-10, 165-pound junior was signed as a second baseman Friday by scout Bob Darwin. Gilliam tried out with the Cincinnati Reds two weeks ago, but chose the Dodgers, with whom his family has strong ties.

His late father, Jim, anchored second base for seven National League championship and four world championship Dodger teams in Brooklyn and Los Angeles,

“That’s one team he really wanted to be with,” said his mother, Edwina. “People will always compare him with his father, but he’s his own person.”

Gilliam, who will turn 21 the day before he leaves for the Dodgers’ Gulf Coast Rookie League team in Bradenton, Fla., on July 3, does not believe he received a contract just because his father played for the Dodgers.

“The Dodgers are a class act organization and they don’t sign you because of your name,” he said. “They sign you because they think you can play.”

Gilliam, who played second base and left field and hit .312 with 12 stolen bases in 40 games last season, is the fourth player from Coach Terry Craven’s 1985 CSUN roster to sign a professional contract. The others were seniors Mark Ban (Angels) and Pete Callas (Milwaukee) and junior Steve Sharts (Philadelphia).

Harges Eliminated in Tournament

Stephanie Harges of Sherman Oaks won three qualifying matches in the $10,000 Charleston Tournament of the U.S. Tennis Assn. women’s circuit this week, but was eliminated by Karen Smith in the first round of main draw competition. The Australian defeated her, 6-4, 7-6.

Harges had qualified for the contest--which was held at the Wild Dunes Racquet Club in Charleston, S.C.--by defeating Lisa Bobby (New Jersey) 6-1, 6-0; Themis (Brazil) 6-2, 6-0, and Laurie McGill (Maryland), 6-1, 6-4.

Nygord on Target for Second Place

Don Nygord of La Crescenta is in second place in the standard pistol competition after shooting a 571 during the second day of competition at the National Shooting Championships at the Prado Tiro Shooting Range in Chino.

The final day of competition is today.

Provost to Coach at Pepperdine

Paul Provost has been named a part-time assistant coach for men’s basketball at Pepperdine University.

Provost, 28, a former Cal State Northridge player, has coached for three years at St. Monica and Venice high schools. Provost, who also coached in Australia, England and Scotland, most recently coached at Mater Dei High in New Jersey.

“It will be a pleasure to have Paul as part of our basketball staff,” Coach Jim Harrick said. “He has a thorough knowledge of the game, and has demonstrated his potential in previous coaching assignments.”

Swimming Offered at Woodland Hills Park

Registration for swimming lessons at the Woodland Hills Park pool will continue today and tomorrow for classes that begin Monday.

Lessons are available for children, ages 4-17, and adults. Adult class offerings include board diving, skin diving and synchronized swimming. Most classes are offered in the mornings and afternoons.

Teams in co-ed swimming, diving and synchronized swimming are also available. The teams compete against other local park pools.

The first session, which begins Monday, will run for two weeks. The cost for lessons is $10.25. Cost for summer teams is $3.00.

Information: (818) 340-6099.

Basketball League Sign-ups

Registration for the Victory-Vineland Recreation Center’s summer basketball league will continue through July 6 at 11117 Victory Blvd. in North Hollywood.

Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the leagues are open to children ages 6-17. League classifications include: pee-wee (ages 6-8), ABA (9-10), NBA (11-12), juniors (13-15), seniors (16-17).

Information: (818) 985-9516.