Titans Allow Caldwell to Rejoin Team

Ron Caldwell, a reserve center who was suspended by Cal State Fullerton Coach John Sneed on Jan. 17 for missing several practices and meetings, has rejoined the team and will dress for tonight’s game at New Mexico State.

Sneed said Caldwell approached him this week about returning, and the coach said he “liked the way the conversation went.” The coaching staff and players took a team vote, and Caldwell was allowed to return.

“I told him we probably wouldn’t use him as much as we did earlier in the season and asked if he could handle that, and he said he could,” Sneed said. “There are some positives he brings to the team if he handles the situation right.”

Caldwell, who watched Tuesday’s practice and participated in Wednesday’s practice, said he had been listening to games on the radio and watching them on television since his suspension.

“I had an itch to come back,” Caldwell said. “These guys are my teammates. You have to love the sport, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. It doesn’t make a difference how much I play, as long as we win.”

Caldwell, a 6-foot-8 senior, played in 14 games, starting six times, and averaged 9.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. His presence, along with Aaron Wilhite’s return from a knee injury last week, brings the Titans to full strength for the first time in weeks.

Wilhite got hurt in what was Caldwell’s last game, against San Jose State Jan. 14. Without the two centers, Fullerton lacked size and depth on the front line and was badly outrebounded in several games.

“We’re now back to a nine-man rotation and have two players in every spot,” Sneed said. “With Ron and (reserve forward) Kevin Ahsmuhs back there, we can give (starting forward) Agee Ward a little more rest.”