Paper Chase Costs CSUN’s Adley Shot at Titans

There were many times during the dog days of August when Carlos Adley, his mind taxed by a full schedule of summer school classes, his body weakened from working night shifts and his throat parched from wind sprints, pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion with one thing in mind:

Cal State Fullerton.

The thought of playing against the Titans somehow made all of his efforts seem worthwhile.

If things had gone according to plan, Adley would be playing nose tackle for Cal State Northridge against Fullerton this afternoon when the teams meet at 1 p.m. at Santa Ana Bowl.

Things did not go according to plan.

Instead of becoming eligible on Thursday, just in time for a quick practice in preparation for the game, Adley learned he would not be eligible until Monday.

An English professor at Pasadena City College, where Adley attended summer school, said that he needed the weekend to grade Adley’s final exam and decide whether he had earned a B or a C in the class. Either grade would would have sufficed for an Associate of Arts degree and Adley’s eligibility.

“I talked to all my teachers and I thought everything was pretty much understood,” Adley said. “I’m really disappointed, but I am going to be eligible for the league games so I guess I should be thankful.”

Adley played for Fullerton in 1984, ’85 and ’87. He started on the defensive line as a 17-year-old freshman, earning rookie-of-the-year honors in what was then the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.

In 1986 Adley redshirted, and the following season was cut short because of an ankle injury. In 1988, after Fullerton underwent a change in its defensive coaching staff, Adley left the school, citing a personality conflict with the new staff.

But he still had pro football aspirations and that led to a call to CSUN Coach Bob Burt, a former defensive coordinator at Fullerton.

Adley played at 6-foot-1, 240 pounds during his heyday four years ago. He weighs 265 now and says “I’m stronger, faster and in better shape than I’ve ever been in my life.

“At Fullerton, I never took off-season training seriously like I do now,” Adley said. “All I need is a couple of weeks in pads and I believe there will be no better nose guard in the United States.”

Today could mark the most difficult day of what has been a most trying summer for Adley.

“I usually can’t even watch football on TV. I’m too critical,” Adley said. “But I’m going to be on the sideline for my team and let them know I’m behind them.

“Even though having to watch is just going to be terrible.”