CSUN Coach and Gymnasts Look to Vault Elsewhere

Susan Rouse is combing the classified ads these days in search of her future after four years as the women’s gymnastics coach at Cal State Northridge.

But she isn’t necessarily intent on a return to teaching after losing her classroom and coaching positions two weeks ago when the gymnastics program was eliminated by a committee vote at CSUN.

“I love teaching and I love relating to students and watching them grow,” Rouse said. “But I don’t like dealing with political administrations the way things are dealt with here.”

Rouse is not going quietly into the night. She sent a four-page letter to The Times detailing her opposition to the cancellation of a program that was 19-8 in 1987 and would have returned nine underclassmen.

“In the fall, I was given a Jan. 1 deadline for a decision, and when that passed, I assumed that the program wasn’t going to be dropped,” Rouse said. “I think it’s very unethical for them to do this at this late date.”

CSUN women’s Athletic Director Judith Brame said the program was eliminated “as a fallout effect from the reduction of programs throughout the nation.”

Left behind are a coach and nine gymnasts with limited options. Rouse said five team members are attempting to transfer and three others are undecided.

That leaves Laura Bertussi, who has no choice.

Bertussi, a junior, won two all-around competitions last season as captain of the team. But with only one year of eligibility remaining and nearing her degree, she will stay at CSUN.

“I’m in the mental health program here, which is a two-year program, so there’s no way I can transfer,” Bertussi said. “I don’t have a choice. I’m too settled here.

“It was all so easy. It all fit in and it was all right here. My life’s pretty set here, so I’ll probably work. I guess I have to do that sooner or later.”

Freshman Terisa Lacert, who attended Casa Roble High near Sacramento, has applied to UC Davis. Teammates Lisa Duarte and Judy Donahue hope to join her there.

Said Lacert: “I couldn’t believe they would drop it so late in the year. I was just getting adjusted to this school, and now I have to find another one.”