Departmental Realignment at CSUN Paves Way for Possible Division I Move

The physical education and athletic departments at Cal State Northridge officially split Wednesday, paving the way toward the Matadors’ possible move to Division I.

Six months ago, coaches and full-time staff members voted unanimously to recommend the separation.

At the NCAA special convention in Dallas on Tuesday, Northridge President James W. Cleary stopped well short of saying the separation of departments was a definitive stride toward Division I.

“We needed to take this step irrespective of whether we’re in Division I or II or III,” he said.

Northridge was the only school in the Division II California Collegiate Athletic Assn. with a combined physical education and athletic program.