Northridge Ends Review of Derrick Gathers’ Claim

After further reviewing allegations that a Loyola Marymount booster gave money to former Cal State Northridge basketball player Derrick Gathers, Northridge Athletic Director Bob Hiegert said Friday that he will not file a report with the NCAA.

The allegations were made by Derrick Gathers in a deposition taken in connection with a wrongful death suit filed against Loyola and 13 other defendants after the death of his brother, Hank. Hank Gathers, a star player for Loyola, collapsed during a game on March 4 and died less than two hours later.

Hiegert said he was unable to contact Derrick Gathers, who exhausted his eligibility at the end of the 1989-90 season and dropped out of school immediately after Hank Gathers died.

Hiegert spoke with Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy about Derrick Gathers’ lifestyle, which Cassidy said in a Dec. 27 interview with The Times was not indicative of someone receiving substantial amounts of money.

According to Hiegert, if an institution becomes aware of an NCAA violation regarding a current student-athlete, it must report it, but in the Gathers’ case, Hiegert said: “We probably won’t do anything formal until the NCAA asks.

“I don’t see any reason to do anything now. (Derrick) Gathers is not a student-athlete, no postseason money was involved, and (Albert) Gersten, the person who allegedly gave the money, had no involvement with our program. He is not a booster. We don’t know him.

“If they are investigating Loyola Marymount and our name is part of it, we might be asked to conduct our own investigation and then (the NCAA) might investigate us. If we are asked to cooperate, we will . . . . But there is no sense looking into it now. I don’t think it is worth our time.”

Gersten denies the allegations.