CSUN’s Craven Quits in 4th Year as Coach

Terry Craven, baseball coach at Cal State Northridge for the past four years, Saturday announced that he will resign at the end of the season.

Craven was in San Luis Obispo on Saturday where the Matadors split a California Collegiate Athletic Assn. doubleheader against Cal Poly and was unavailable for comment. In a statement released through the university’s sports information department at Northridge’s spring football game, Craven said he was resigning effective July 1, 1988.

“This past year has brought significant changes in my life on both a personal and professional level and I have learned new meanings for words such as loyalty, trust, support and commitment,” Craven said. “Now is the time for me to seek new direction in my baseball career.”

Craven’s record during his four years as head coach is 118-97-1 after the 15-5 loss and 7-5 win.

Last season, Northridge was 37-22 overall and 18-12 in the CCAA. The Matadors finished second to Cal State Dominguez Hills in both the conference and the Western Regional. But this season, the Matadors have struggled to a record of 17-27, 8-11 in conference play.

Northridge Athletic Director Bob Hiegert indicated that the search for a replacement will begin immediately following the conclusion of the season, with the appointment of the new coach to be made by July 1.

Hiegert, who compiled a record of 609-411-9 and won two Division II national titles in 18 years as baseball coach before retiring in 1984, said Craven was not asked to resign.

Hiegert said he met with Craven about two weeks ago for the yearly evaluation all Northridge spring sports coaches are required to undergo. At that meeting, it was decided that Craven would resign and he was given the choice of when he would make the announcement.

“We had some frank discussions of the success of the baseball program,” Hiegert said. “No one is happy with the record--it is not what we hoped it would be whether you’re the coach, someone watching, a parent or a booster.

“I think he’s been very frustrated with the success of the team, whatever the reasons were, whether it be injuries or kids just not working out, or whatever. He’s not happy with that. I think he looked at the future and looked at the chances of being as successful as he wants to be within the structure and did what was right for him.

“I told him I’d help him in any way I can with his future employment.”

Hiegert said Craven submitted his resignation Thursday. It was released, at Craven’s request, to coincide with the end of CSUN’s final road trip of the season.

Craven played at Northridge in 1964 and 1965 after transferring from Bakersfield College. He was an All-American outfielder his senior year and played two years in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

Craven spent 14 years as an assistant under Hiegert before becoming coach in 1984.

Hiegert said that, as an administrator, he stays in the background, but comparisons between Hiegert and Craven were inevitable.

“I really think in this case he was given the opportunity to do what he wanted to do and how he wanted to do it,” Hiegert said. “And I still think he felt a lot of pressure.

“I think that’s part of his decision. I think he needs a fresh start and an opportunity to do things his own way without feeling like somebody is evaluating the way he’s doing everything.”