Titan Volleyball Avoids Sanctions From Big West

The Big West Conference compliance committee has decided not to impose sanctions on the Cal State Fullerton volleyball program for minor NCAA rule violations, Titan Athletic Director Ed Carroll said Wednesday.

But Carroll said he sent a letter of reprimand to Coach Jim Huffman because of Huffman’s involvement in the violations.

According to an athletic department report submitted to the conference, Huffman allowed volleyball players to use his office telephone, a violation of NCAA rules.

A study of telephone records from February, 1989, to August, 1990, indicated that 34 illegal calls, totaling $3.89 in charges, were made by three players.

An athletic department inquiry uncovered two other possible rules violations, a student-athlete who spent a night at Huffman’s house and the hiring of two players to coach a private volleyball team operated by Huffman assistant Marlon Sano.

According to Fullerton’s report, a team member who was having domestic problems with her roommates went to Huffman’s home for counseling, and because it was late, Huffman allowed her to stay the night.

Big West Conference Associate Commissioner Dennis Farrell said he was “not at liberty” to discuss compliance committee issues. But Carroll said the committee, which met during this week’s conference meetings in Los Angeles, did not deem this a violation.

However, the coach “was reprimanded for the use of poor judgement in housing the student-athlete,” the athletic department report said.

Carroll said the compliance committee did not address the possible problem involving players coaching on club teams because the issue will be discussed at the conference’s next meeting in February.