San Fernando’s Mauldin Denied Admission to Cal State Fullerton

Former San Fernando High quarterback Joe Mauldin learned Friday that he has been denied admission to Cal State Fullerton because he failed to meet the school’s academic requirements.

Mauldin, an All-City Section choice in 1987 who had signed a letter of intent to play football for the Titans, said that he would enroll at a junior college.

“The way it is now, I’m starting all over,” said Mauldin, who is considering Merced, Valley, Pierce and Harbor colleges. “I can do good for two years and maybe get another scholarship.”

Fullerton Coach Gene Murphy said that under “a new, more-stringent academic policy” instituted by the school, Mauldin might have gained admission had he attended a summer program designed to improve academic skills. But Murphy said attempts to notify Mauldin of the program via mail, telephone calls and visits to his home were unsuccessful.

Had Mauldin been admitted to Fullerton, it would have been under Prop. 48, an NCAA rule that allows students who fail to post a 700 score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test and a 2.0 grade-point average in core curriculum classes to attend a four-year school. Prop. 48 athletes, however, forfeit participation in intercollegiate competition their freshman year, leaving them only three years of eligibility.

“It’s very disappointing because he’s one of, if not the best, athletes we’ve ever recruited to Fullerton,” Murphy said. “Now he will probably go off to a junior college and we will never see him again. I just hope we don’t play against him. He will be a very exciting quarterback.”

Last season Mauldin (6-2, 195 pounds) passed for 1,633 yards and 14 touchdowns as he led San Fernando to the 4-A Division semifinals. He also played guard on the Tigers’ basketball team and was the only All-Valley selection in both sports.